WEBVTT

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Africa continues to face challenges related to infrastructure,

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financial access and global competition

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all of which lead to economic inequality.

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In working with the Africa Business Leaders Coalition

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of the UN Global Compact

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I hope to bring together leading businesses in Africa

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to ensure the continent's future

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is not only sustainable but also green.

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I'm Kenyan.

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And I recall many years ago in my home village

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where my grandparents live

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farming was something that was done on a schedule.

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Over time, climate change weather patterns

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have changed a lot.

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So farmers are no longer guaranteed

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when the best time to plant is,

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when the best time to harvest is.

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It disrupts not only their household incomes

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but their domestic subsistence

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and their living and their food supplies.

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Large multinationals are realizing the fragility

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of the sustainability of their supply chains.

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For them to continue to be successful in the long term

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you cannot leave people behind.

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You can't leave behind your supply chain.

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You certainly can't leave behind

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your consumers and your customers.

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The African continent is brimming with opportunity

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and ready to accelerate forward

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into middle income economies.

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We have a group of really forward-looking businesses

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and business leaders

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looking at what are the issues

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that the private sector can do together?

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What are the problems they can solve?

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How do you bring a uniquely African

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private sector voice to the table?

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What I think we're trying to do best

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here at the Global Compact is really address the fact that

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coordinated action really drives change in the best way.

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I thought it was very important

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to be able to create platforms

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not just for climate but for other areas

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where African business leaders

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can seize opportunities

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make their voice heard

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and demonstrate that the private sector really needs support

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to accelerate or can accelerate, driving these solutions forwards.

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It's part of addressing the global strategy.

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But I just believe that when Africa wins

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the world wins.