Access Bank Plc says it will host Chris Hughes and Steve Wozniak, the co-founders of Facebook and Apple, at its forthcoming Access Conference.
Scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 10, 2015, the conference will also have in attendance the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Asia, Mr. Tony Fernandes.
A statement by Access Bank on Sunday said the international leadership conference would host other global leaders in the fields of technology, business and politics.
The annual conference started in 2013 and has hosted prominent global leaders including former Presidents George W. Bush of the United States, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, and John Kuffour of Ghana.
According to the statement, the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Leading in a transformational world – the imperative of innovation.’
It read in part, “Inspirational leaders from the global private and public sectors will be discussing the major themes facing Africa, the world economy and the social transformation created by changing technology.
“The event will be moderated by several renowned speakers including a former President of Costa Rica, José-Maria Figueres, who is now a leading campaigner on environmental issues.
The Executive Director, Personal Banking Division, Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, told a news conference in Lagos on Friday that recent major innovations around the globe would affect every sector of the global economy.
He listed these as innovations in sectors such as nanotech, biotech, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Etuokwu said, “As we are all experiencing it, innovation is moving at a speed that’s never been witnessed. With two billion internet users worldwide and 50 billion connected devices by 2020, innovative technology is definitely the defining trend for today’s business.”
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, was quoted in the statement as saying, “I am delighted to welcome such a distinguished line-up of individuals to the Access Conference 2015.
“We founded the event in recognition that Africa must now play a central role in the global debates that matter to its citizens. Whether it is technology, entrepreneurship or the impact of financial regulation on growth, the future direction of the world is increasingly being played out in this continent.
“This conference will be a fantastic opportunity for a meeting of minds, sharing of knowledge, and the beginning of an understanding that can enhance the wellbeing and happiness of Africa’s people.”
Other speakers scheduled to attend the conference include the former Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke; a Professor of Global Health at Sweden’s Karolinka Institute, Hans Rosling; and a Professor of Economics at the University of Sussex, Mariana Mazzucato.
Culled——Punch
