Speeches 2005

The Role of the Private Sector in a Changing Africa

05/07/2005

Based on a speech given by Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and President of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to the Business Action for Africa Summit, London, 5 July 2005

Based on a speech given by Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and President of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company to the Business Action for Africa Summit, London, 5 July 2005

Business can make a contribution to tackling poverty in Africa through its everyday business operations. It can also play a role by targeting social investment. The Shell Foundation, through its support for small enterprises, is helping to develop Africa’s entrepreneurial potential and those small businesses will play a vital role in stimulating economic growth across the continent. However business cannot act alone, governments need to create a supportive investment climate, underpinned by good governance, that will allow businesses, big and small, to unleash Africa’s potential. Business Action for Africa is committed to playing its part in this work to help stimulate the economic growth which will be the key factor in reducing poverty in Africa.

The Role of the Private Sector in a Changing Africa (pdf, size 190 kB) - opens in new window