World Economic Forum on Africa, Abuja

This discovery, which seems so perfectly logical to us now, nevertheless had roughly the same effect on business management strategy as the splitting of the atom had on energy generation. It has resulted in the staggering expansion of business since the 1980s, the tremendous advances in living standards in the developed world, the phenomenal growth of the world economy and the unstoppable rise of fabulously rich individuals.

But of course the message has not got through everywhere, even in the developed world. One of the major differences between the developed and developing worlds is that the latter is still wedded to the false notion of a limited pie. The result is a few relatively wealthy people and a mass of poor people. The irony is that even those who are relatively wealthy are often either poor or only middle class compared to the average levels in the advanced countries. Worse, this status quo can only be maintained by fear – the threat of force. Hence dictatorships and the trampling of human rights. Cause and effect – QED.

It is important to understand the underlying principles behind the World Economic Forum if one is to assess its outcomes fairly. It is also important to point out that the WEF in itself did not revolutionise business management – it formed part of a fairly wide stream of thought in economic, political and social academia. However, the Forum provided the perfect venue for these ideas to be articulated without political interference and where the various actors could meet their peers in a neutral setting. But human life is not neatly compartmentalised into the political, economic, social or personal realms. Each of these impact on the other, and are impacted; change one and you change the others.

It was, therefore, perhaps, inevitable that the Forum also became the parleying space for political actors seeking to find resolutions to often long-standing problems. A number of outstanding results have been reached through the auspices of the Forum.

Nevertheless, the WEF is essentially a private sector, members-only ‘discussion club’. The aim is not to use the platform for grandstanding (although, of course, this has been done despite the best efforts of the organisers) but to find practical solutions for specific problems.

The format of the Forum reflects this. Most of the sessions, including workshops, are private sessions with specific numbers of people invited to attend. There are also public sessions which are open to all delegates.

The aim of the private sessions – some are off the record – is to create a candid atmosphere in which people who have specific skills or interests can meet with their peer groups and perhaps form partnerships on an ongoing basis. The idea is create an environment in which people learn from each other, exchange ideas and make firm commitments. The ambition is, actually, to change the world for the better through action by people who are in a position to do so.

Although an increasing number of heads of state and ministers attend the forum, it is non-protocol – apart from the obvious security measures. Political leaders sitting on panels or joining discussion groups do so at the same status level as everybody else.

But there is almost as much activity off the main agenda as on it. There are any number of luncheons organised by companies or government agencies, cocktails, breakfast meetings and so on. The Forum brings in such a wide diversity of people that the opportunities to network are some of the best in the world.

Back at the WEF headquarters in Geneva, while Maxwell Hall is busy organising a series of meetings for us, all seems peaceful and quiet. But, of course, this is just an illusion. There is a frenzy of activity behind the closed doors. In addition to Davos, the WEF organises annual regional meetings in Africa, Latin America, East Asia, the Middle East, India and China.

In addition, it holds meetings on specific topics and runs a plethora of programmes such as Young Gobal Leaders and initiatives such as Grow Africa, Infrastructure and this year will introduce a skills initiative in Abuja. The WEF also publishes the biannual World Competitiveness Report.

Hall explained that the organisation has a vertical structure of sector expertise – such as ‘Global industries,’ ‘Logistics and Transport’, ‘Telecommunications’, ‘Women leaders and gender parity’ and so on. These then interact with the horizontal axis such as the various regional events and provide the input to shape the agenda of each event.

We met Elsie Kanza, the head of Africa, and a number of the directors of the various sector departments who filled us up on what to expect in Abuja.