Shettima departs Abuja for Davos to attend World Economic Forum

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Davos, Switzerland, to represent Nigeria at the 2025 annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting.

The event will take place at the Congress Centre in Jakobshorn from January 20-24.

In a statement on Wednesday, Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, said Shettima will participate in workshops, forums, and bilateral meetings with other leaders during the event.

Nkwocha explained that the gathering will bring together world leaders, top business executives, and representatives of development partners to discuss the global economy and explore ways to improve its conditions.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima’s schedule includes attending a workshop titled ‘Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets’.

He said the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the WEF, will organise the workshop to increase capital flow into Africa’s frontier markets and scale solutions for building a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient continent.

“Top on the agenda will be an announcement of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, in partnership with the African Development Bank (@AfDB_Group), and foster partnerships between public and private sector leaders interested in mobilizing investment in Africa’s frontier markets, among others,” he said.

“The Vice President will also attend a dinner for heads of state, government and international organizations, as well as Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awardees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners slated for Kurpark Village, Eiger.”

‘SHETTIMA TO CO-CHAIR DIGITAL TRADE FORUM’

Nkwocha said Shettima will co-chair a forum titled ‘Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa’ at the Pischa Congress Centre.

“The session will provide a dynamic platform for forward-thinking dialogue on digital trade and the crucial role of the private sector in advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol adopted by the AU heads of state/government in January 2024,” he said.

Also, Shettima will attend, as a panelist, a stakeholder dialogue entitled, “Global Risks 2025”.

The spokesperson said the Global Risks Report highlights an increasingly volatile global landscape, marked by accelerating geopolitical, technological and environmental challenges.

The event is slated for the Aspen 2 Congress Centre in Davos.

He added that top government officials, including Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade and investment, and Aisha Rimi, executive secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), will accompany Shettima.

Nkwocha said Shettima will return to Abuja after completing his engagements in Davos.