Private investors urged to take greater risks in Africa

 
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano urged African and international private investors, Monday to take more risks and invest in Africa.

"The private sector won't do anything in Africa if it does not want to take risks. But we must together look into ways to reduce such risks," said Chissano, who chaired a workshop on the financing of energy projects at the ongoing conference on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in the Senegalese capital.

"Had we waited for the full restoration of peace in Mozambique, we would certainly have done nothing and the Cabora Bassa dam would not have been built. We should not wait for things to cool down to do something," Chissano said, in response to concerns expressed by an African businessman on insecurity on the continent.

However, the Mozambican leader proposed the creation of "Peace Commissions" in African countries stricken by internal conflicts.

"We must set up Peace Commissions in a move to settle the conflicts in these countries where violence is wreaking havoc," Chissano said, and appealed to private sector operators to be more involved in peace-making efforts in Africa.
 
Dakar - 15/04/2002
 
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