The Initiative for Global Development to Convene Panel at African First Ladies Summit

WASHINGTON - June 26, 2013 - PRLog -- Washington D.C. - The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) will convene a panel of African women CEOs at the George W. Bush Institute’s African First Ladies Summit “Investing in Women: Strengthening Africa,” Wednesday July 3, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The panel was requested by the Bush Institute to complement the Summit’s focus on economic empowerment of women and draws on IGD’s expertise with business-led development in Africa.

The session will feature panelists Ms. Susan Mashibe, Executive Director of VIA Aviation, Ms. Mizinga Melu, Managing Director of National Bank of Commerce (NBC) Tanzania and Ms. Loide Monteiro, CEO of Group Loid Engenharia SGPS. Ambassador Mark Green, (Ret. – Tanzania) President & CEO of IGD, will moderate the panel, leading a discussion about the role of business in increasing economic opportunity for women, and successful strategies employed to find innovative ways to include women as customers, employees and suppliers. Panelists represent a cross-section of countries and sectors, and will share their experiences in African business and insights on how to expand women’s participation in the African economy.  

“I am honored to present this panel at the Bush Institute’s African First Ladies Summit,” said Ambassador Green. “Around the world, we have seen how women’s increased economic participation is correlated with a country’s economic growth and prosperity, representing the untapped potential of women across Africa. Through this panel discussion, we will hear from successful CEOs how to enable greater economic participation from women, and in turn, drive stability and prosperity throughout Africa.”

The African First Ladies Summit will feature keynote speeches from President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. It will bring together First Lady Michelle Obama, African First Ladies, government officials, business leaders, NGO officials and others to highlight the importance of investing in women to build stable and prosperous societies.

Video coverage of the Summit will be streamed live at bushcenter.org/live on July 2^nd and 3^rd. Join in and follow the conversation on social media using hashtag #investinwomen.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) is a 501(c)(3) organization that drives significant poverty reduction by catalyzing business growth and investment in the developing world. IGD brings together an influential Frontier Leader network of CEOs and senior executives with the interest and capacity to make strategic investments in high-need, high-potential regions.  Learn more: www.igdleaders.org

Press Contact: Katie Todd, 708.408.8408. Katie@IGDLeaders.org