ICPAK 35th Annual Seminar 2019 | ICPAK | 21 May 2019 | Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa , Off Malindi Road, Mombasa County, Mombasa, Kenya

Each year for the last 34 years, ICPAK has maintained a rich tradition of congregating once a year in the month of May to reflect on the profession, emerging issues affecting our nation. This year’s seminar follows in pattern as it seeks to reinforce the role of professional accountants in safeguarding public interest. The previous 34th Annual Seminar attracted 2,800 participants largely drawn from Kenya but with representation from Uganda, Rwanda and Nigeria. This year the event is targeted to attract 3,000 participants.

A lot is said about Africa and what is said falls neatly into three boxes. In the first box are those who say Africa is yet to fully tell its story. In box two, they speak about Africa’s potential and this box is full to the brim. Right from Africa’s oil (about 12% of the global oil) gold (Africa has 42% of global gold) to chromium and platinum metals (Africa has 80-90%), 60% of Africa is arable land. Add these to the hospitable warm embrace in the context of overflowing fauna and flora and you notice just why the second box is full to the brim and over flowing. In the third box, is Africa’s current reality characterized by less than optimal leadership, long outstanding civil strife among other challenges compounded by weak or poor governance structures.

The headline address will review the three boxes and provide a clear direction on what needs to be done urgently to sustain the momentum of Africa’s renaissance and achievement of Agenda 2063.