Qatar Africa Business Forum 2024 is part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture 2024, testifying once again to the depth of the strong and historic ties between the two brotherly peoples and the two Heads of State, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Some 350 prominent leaders from the private and public sectors gathered in Marrakech for this 3rd edition to debate strategic issues for the Continent.

Initiated under the theme “Investing in AI for tomorrow's growth”, speakers at the Forum explored the transformative power of artificial intelligence.

The opening plenary session, which brought together senior leaders from the public and private sectors, was devoted to challenges and opportunities for accelerating growth in Africa.

Indeed, the African continent is poised for transformative growth, set to double its population by 2050 and potentially become a $29,000 billion economy. However, on the road to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, Africa, as well as emerging markets, will nevertheless face significant challenges.

In this regard, the focus was on collaborations to build on technologies from the South likely to support Africa's journey to navigate its complex environment.

From climate resilience to digital transformation, capital allocation and efficient economic governance systems, the panel explored Africa's growth as a way to change the continent's, and potentially, the entire world's trajectory.

The next panel focused on cognitive cities, already thriving in the Middle East, which offer a global, cutting-edge solution to the underlying challenges as urbanization gains momentum in Africa.

It focused on understanding ways advanced technologies such as AI, big data and IoT can foster smart, adaptable urban ecosystems.

Highlighting successful initiatives and innovations from Africa and the Middle East, high-profile speakers illustrated the transformative potential of cognitive technologies to shape the cities of tomorrow.

Through this event, Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture 2024 continues to shine bright, demonstrating once again the special potential of Morocco and Qatar in all areas of expertise, as well as their unique collaboration, paving the way to unprecedented opportunities and extraordinary results across all sectors.