The European Business Organisation Worldwide Network (EBO WWN) and 17 of its members joined global business leaders and European politicians in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, between November 25th and 28th..
This was the first meeting of the EBO WWN to take place in Africa. The annual regional meeting coincided with the 6th European-Africa Business and Political Summits. Key topics discussed at the Business Summit included access to and scaling up of electrification and developing the agri-food industry in Africa, and improving access to finance for micro-enterprises.
The EBO WWN was honoured have an entire panel session dedicated to developing European Business Organsiations in Africa. EBO members from Brazil, Vietnam, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Australia, and China shared their experiences on the challenges and opportunities of developing European business organisations in their own country. Their discussions focused on different governance structures, institutional relationship with bilateral chambers, membership development, and general best practises and information sharing.
Currently, European business organisations exist in 5 continents and 35 countries, besides other incoming applications from others . Of these, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast have already attained EBO WWN accreditation and membership.
EBO WWN Chairman Pacheco had the opportunity to meet Federica Mogherini, EU Commission Vice President in charge of EU Foreign Affairs and Security, who closed the 6th EU-Africa business Forum. She reminded that EU-Africa business needs a “new deal” to have an equal partnership and to foster local business development with European counterparts and the private sector.
As a result of this trip, the EBO WWN expects about six new Chambers from mainly Africa and Latin America to join the organisation, thus, strengthening the European global chain value, and also strengthening the multilateral approach to supporting its members in all the continents where they may be present.
ECCIL was represented in the meeting by its Executive Director, Dr. Ramon Bruesseler, who is board member and treasurer of the EBO WWN.