Leaders from business, government, civil society and academia will participate in the 16th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, from May 31 to June 2 to discuss Africa's next steps along a sustainable growth path.

Under the theme of "Going for Growth," over 650 participants from 39 countries will identify action priorities to sustain a 5 percent growth rate, engage business as a catalyst for change in Africa, draw lessons from best-performing states and sectors, address new risks and assess new opportunities.

While focusing on the impact of China and India and the commodity price boom underpinning much of Africa's growth, the continent's premier gathering will also identify priorities to assess new opportunities and address the challenges of boosting the physical and social infrastructure needed to sustain the resurgence of Africa.

Meanwhile, the participants will review what was delivered during the "Year of Africa" in 2005 and what is in the pipeline, and seek ways to improve the branding and perception of the continent.

"Business has a key role in building credibility of reform and rebranding efforts, not least to counter the 'collective contagion ' still afflicting Africa," said Haiko Alfeld, director for Africa of the World Economic Forum on the eve of the summit.

The forum will launch a business alliance to reduce chronic hunger on the continent. In a proposed public-private partnership, committed forum member companies and hunger experts will jointly design a model to attack the root causes of hunger through initiatives including expanding rural market systems, disseminating effective business models and microfinance.

Among the participants are President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships for the global public interest. The forum works throughout the year on a range of initiatives in Africa.

Source: Xinhua