Investing and Living: KDNC 5th Business Workshop/Kennesaw State University/Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta

The Kenya Development Network Consortium is hosting its 5th business workshop in Atlanta in collaboration with Kennesaw State University and the Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta (AKPA).

This workshop which is expecting very many visitors from major industries is a wonderful opportunity for professional, business and academic communities globally to meet together to collaborate and co-create sustainable mission based enterprises that have an explicit mission for promoting social, environmental, and economic well-being through their business activities, or social entrepreneurial efforts. There will be opportunity for platform presentations, poster presentations, and product exhibitions.

THE ROLE OF THE KENYAN DIASPORA IN KENYA'S DEVELOPMENT
The workshop takes place on March 22-24, 2007 in Kennesaw State University, 100 Chastain Road, Kennesaw Georgia. Conference Chair Akanmu Adebayo (aadebayo@kennesaw.edu)

TOPICS
A. Structuring mission-based enterprises to gain support. Types of enterprises may include but not limited to:

1. Energy (i.e., energy production and distribution business (e.g., KenGen. How can you participate in energy business? How can you own an energy company in East Africa? How do you finance your company?)
2. Finance (i.e., raising money from banks, stock market, understanding the Nairobi Stock Exchange)
3. Telecommunications (e.g., lessons from SafariCom)
4. Transportation (i.e., road and air transportation. Owning an airline business in Afric-pockets of profits. Running trains in Africa-the true fortune at the BoP).
5. Eco-tourism enterprise (e.g., FlamoRose, and Flamoshop. Can you be an ecotourist? What is the role of ecotoursim in human development?)
6. Food and agricultural enterprise (e.g., the Highland Tea Company. What is the role of tea in your life, and in human development?)
7. Real estate enterprise (i.e., what is the role of real estate in your life and in human development?)
8. Information and communication technologies (Telecenters, and cybercafes. How can you create a cyber business to serve the local and global markets?)
9. Medical (ie., how can you build a hospital, maternity center, pharmacy, in rural Africa. How can you sustain a medical business in Africa?)
10. Biotechnology (i.e., is Africa ready for biotechnology manufacturing? Who are the players in biotech? Who will be the winners? How can biotech be financed?)
11. Ethical business (i.e., how do we avoid the pitfalls of the constant gardner? How do we hold the giant pharmaceutical industry accountable? How do we hold Western researchers accountable for ethical blunders that they are making sometimes blatantly in Africa? How do we mitigate medical colonization by Western institutions?)
12. Media and broadcasting (i.e, how do we develop powerful media companies that create the correct image for Africa? What is the role of broadcasting corporations? How can you create your own media company focused on the positive forces in Africa? What is the role of Kenyan television networks in human development?)

B. Capital Formation Strategies

1. Role of debt financing (i.e., borrowing from the banks: What is the role of equity bank)
2. Role of equity financing through the stock market (e.g., the Nairobi Stock Exchange)
3. Role of hybrid financing
4. Attracting mission based capital
5. Role of OPIC, Ex-Im Bank, IFC, World Bank, other international financing organizations
6. Role of non-international banks and local financial institutions

C. Legal and Governance Structures

1. Type of organization
2. What is the appropriate structure for mission based capital
* Cooperative
* Corporation
* Joint venture
* Partnerships

D. Gaining political support for your mission based enterprise in a developing country Business licensing issues (e.g. GeoNet Communications)

E. Defining the market share:
a. New market creation in regions where an obvious market is lacking (e.g., Equity Bank, SafariCom, GeoNet Communications).
b. Market models for sustainability in rural Africa (e.g., the Equity Bank).


This workshop is ideal for:
A. Mission-based entrepreneurs of all levels
B. Policy makers at academic and industry level
C. Business professionals at all levels
D. University and school principals, deans and department heads
E. Chief executives in industries looking for opportunities in developing countries
F. Heads of research organizations
G. Media owners
H. Top government planners and strategists
I. International financiers/ economists
J. Exporting companies

Exhibition Opportunities at the Congress Village include:
A. Mission based entrepreneurs
B. Companies looking for opportunities to invest in developing countries
C. Banks/finance houses/lending institutions
D. International development agencies
E. International finance houses
F. Promotional production companies
G. Media organizations
H. Journals/books and magazines vendors