The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa has showed that interest in Africa is growing, according to President Jacob Zuma.

The WEF on Africa meeting, which was attended by political leaders, business people, youth and civil society leaders from across the globe, discussed important issues of investment and infrastructure development in Africa.

“The message was clear that South Africa and the African continent are ideal investment destinations and they are open for business,” said President Zuma at the close of the forum last week.

The President said infrastructure has taken centre stage in many international forums and the forum on infrastructure development in particular received attention.

“The continent is now able to speak more clearly about investment, there is now more clarity on infrastructure projects that are awaiting investment,” he explained.

“Investors and governments are able to see that there is better coordination of infrastructure delivery and development finance institutions are coming on board and there’s political commitment by African leaders to invest more on infrastructure.”

WEF a success

The President said WEF Africa will have a positive impact on South Africa and the African continent.

“It has been a successful forum and it was one of the best World Economic Forum on Africa meetings. We can confidently say we are happy as South Africa because we have achieved something for ourselves.

“WEF organisers and participants from across the globe have praised South Africa for the manner in which we had hosted this forum.

“The WEF itself has said the participants in this forum were more active and forthcoming than in any other forum and this shows that many people are interested in South Africa and they are taking South Africa as a serious global player.”

Zuma added that South Africa will have a good report at the African Union Summit as the matter of infrastructure will be one of the topics in the summit agenda.