ShieldAfrica: a Security adapted response for African players involved in the continent development In 20161 Sub‐Saharan Africa deals with an economic slowdown with an average growth of 1.4%. It was about 5.3% during the last decade. This statement must be nuanced since all the continent states are not affected in the same way: for instance oil or raw materials exporting countries are facing a strong fall whereas in nonoil producer countries, growth is more resistant. However all African countries need solutions to secure and develop not only their growth sources but also their territories and populations. In this context, ShieldAfrica International Security and Defence Exhibition will open its doors from January 2017, the 24th, to the 26th at the Ecole Nationale de Police in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Created by Africans to deal with the continent challenges, the exhibition will offer not only today proven solutions but also pioneer solutions to face security concerns African States are confronted with. Securing companies’ infrastructures, supporting digital economy thanks to cyber security, developing local business by making transports and communication tools safer, boosting business in pacified border areas and via secured maritime approaches, are challenges that ShieldAfrica wants to address. This search for a safer environment, favourable to investments, is a major condition for the African development. More than 100 worldwide companies will offer at ShieldAfrica a large and complete dual Security and Defence technologic offer, adapted to each country and each player. Among them, we can mention Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense, Rosoboronexport, Motorola, Marck Group, Numeritec, Omios International, Cambli Group, Covidence, Minelab Americas, MKU, Mars Armor, Explorer Cases, etc. This large offer meets expectations of many African players having specific needs. Members of armed and security forces (Chiefs of Staff, Senior Security Officials, Procurement High Authorities), but also private operators’ continent and infrastructure operators will find solutions to face current security issues at ShieldAfrica. States will also be represented by Official Delegations: Home Affairs ministers and Defence ministers of African States invited by their Ivorian counterparts. 1
According to IMF report on regional economic prospect: Afrique Subsaharienne, Une croissance à plusieurs vitesses, October 2016 To enable all visitors and manufacturers exhibitors to meet each other and to enhance their network, the exhibition will propose an Exhibitors‐Visitors connection service. Thus, visitors could schedule meeting with exhibitors before the exhibition. ShieldAfrica is also the occasion to appreciate trends and industrial innovations in the Security and Defence field. Exhibitors’ conferences will be organised all along the exhibition. During a 25 minute period, they enable manufacturers to present their products and services. Such a Security and Defence expert meeting in Africa is also the opportunity to think about policies and ways to make the continent safer. In this purpose, an international plenary conference is organised on January, the 23rd, the day before the exhibition, at the Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan. It will gather Official Delegations, Ivorian VIPs and ShieldAfrica exhibitors. This conference subject will be: “Africa towards an integrated approach to protecting our development”. Last, during the exhibition, workshops and conferences will gather specialists on issues such as “Smart Cities”, safety and security at major sports events, migratory flow management, securing electronic transactions, etc. For more information: http://www.shieldafrica.com/en/ Press Service: COGES AFRICA Daphné LEPETIT [email protected] +33 1 44 14 51 53 ASK YOUR ACCREDITATION ONLINE ON WWW.SHIELDAFRICA.COM