An African Banking Leaders Conference organized by Citigroup held in Sandton Sun, Johannesburg, South Africa from 22 – 23 June 2009. The conference had as objective to keep the group’s customers (including targeted customers) abreast with the global market trends, Growth Opportunities, Citi’s line of Business & recent platforms.

 It was an interactive and knowledge-sharing experience that brought in participants from various strategic banking sectors. Amongst the keynote speakers were David Cowan (Africa Economist), Jack Jared    (Banking Services Group Head, EMEA), Munir S. Nanji (Trade Head, SSA), Nigel Bruce (Treasury & Trade Solutions Head) and Nneka Enwereji (Trade product Head, SSA). Union Bank of Cameroon Plc (A Member of Oceanic Bank Group) was represented at the conference by its Treasury Department Head, Mr Ndoping Celestine.

In clear terms, the conference aimed at building a reliable strategic partnership in times of full crisis with focus on the current international financial meltdown. It took a review of the global economy before addressing specific issues like the US housing crisis and its repercussions on corporate and financial institutions, the external and especially internal factors that adversely affect growth in SSA (as case study), among others.

The conference offered an ideal opportunity to discuss pertinent issues affecting the African banking industry and find practical solutions to the many challenges facing the sector. It was also an occasion to meet and forge new contacts with other experts from across the continent, and learn global best practices in the banking sector. It is really hoped that the results of such a conference would be far-reaching when the policies that govern the banking sector are improved upon and adapted to the current economic context.