09.00-09.45 Opening panel

• Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International and (INET)/CGET Commissioner
• Robert Johnson, Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) President
• Prof Fatima Denton, President, United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resource in Africa and INET/CGET Commissioner
• Mr. Melaku Desta, United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

Moderator: Folashade Soule, INET-CGET

09.45-10.00 Break for tea/coffee and joining Roundtables

10.00-11.00 Roundtable discussions

11.00-12.00 Feedback and reporting of “3 achievable visionary solutions”

12.00 Summing-up from a CGET representative and Winnie (15 mins)

12.30-14.00 Lunch

14.00-15.00 Press conference

Structure of the event

Following the opening panel, the dialogue will be focused in Four Thematic Roundtables: each Roundtable includes a facilitator with a prepared “conversation starter” to open the discussion for 5 mins. Each table brings together a variety of leaders for a visionary, solution-oriented discussion focused on addressing extreme and widening economic inequality, and outlining the kind of economic transformations urgently needed across the African continent. The format of the engagement will gain the benefit from everyone’s participation and perspectives. The engagement will be focused and impact-driven.

Each roundtable includes 6-8 representatives from civil society, business, policymakers, governments, NGOs and youth representatives from across Africa. They would be focused on different issues relevant to inequality, and ways to build a human-focused economy – with each theme asked to put forward “3 achievable visionary solutions that African leaders and policymakers should get behind to foster greater economic equality and to drive an economic and social transformation in Africa”. These themes will cover 4 types of changes Africa is currently facing and that are expected to lead to sustainable transformations.

Beyond brainstorming during each of these roundtables, the participants should come up with suggestions for how to measure successes in each of these themes. Following this, a press conference will be held (30 to 45 mins) open to members of the media.

Findings and proposals from the Dialogue will be presented at the final press conference, and disseminated in various forms of communication by INET/CGET and Oxfam.

Roundtable 1 – Economic Transformation, Jobs creation and Fighting Inequality

Questions: What choice of policy tools are available to shift patterns of growth in a more equitable direction? How could they be strengthened?

• Dominique Dryding, Afrobarometer
• Pr. Yassine Fall, Economist, President Def LilaWar
• Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, TIPS South Africa
• Mr. Melaku Desta, United Nations Economic Commission on Africa (UNECA)
• Tetteh Hormeku, Africa Trade network
• Velaphi Mamba, Open Society Initiative South Africa

Roundtable 2 – Education and Technology Transformation

Questions: How can effective public service provision in education be a complementary means to address income inequalities. What are the ways in which technological disruptions could bring broad-based benefits to rural and urban areas? How could introduction of technology to the classroom offer potential opportunities to improve access to education and enhance learning ?

• Pr Benno Ndulu, African Economic Research Consortium and Pathways for Prosperity Commission
• Chioma Agwuegbo, TechHer, World Economic Forum Global Shaper
• David Sengeh, Directorate of Science & Technology, Sierra Leone
• Enase Okonedo, Dean, Lagos Business School
• Mthandazo Ndlovu, Oxfam South Africa
• Zo Randriamaru, FAHAMU Trust

Roundtable 3 – Environment and Climate Change

Questions: What are the key measures for building a more sustainable, resilient economy that delivers on inclusivity – for green and inclusive growth? What steps are needed for a “just transition to a low carbon economy” for different African countries?

• Arthur Bainomugisha, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)
• Belynda Petrie, OneWorld
• Camilla Toulmin, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and INET
• Emma Unite, OneWorld
• Fatima Denton, United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resource in Africa
• Gugu Nonjinge, Afrobarometer
• Mithika Mwenda, PanAfrica Climate Justice Alliance

Roundtable 4 – Budget, tax revenue and debt management

Questions: Can decentralised development offer solutions for a fairer, more sustainable pattern of growth? What are the financing and partnership options to deliver effective decentralized local development?

• Beth Chitekwe-Biti, Deputy Manager, Chief Operative Officer at SDI. (Slum Dwellers International)
• Biniam Bedasso, Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI)
• Blake Robinson, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
• Dick Forslund, Alternative Information & Development Centre (AIDC)
• Logan Wort, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)
• Representative South African Federation of the Urban Poor
• Theophilus Yungogang, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (Afrodad)