The 30th session of Vendredis du Think Tank Carrefour: A celebration of local content and the domestic market in Brazzaville

The 30th session of the Vendredis de Carrefour, an emblematic event organised by the Think Tank Carrefour under the patronage of the Honorary Chairman of the said Think Tank, Mr Bruno Jean Richard ITOUA, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, will be held on 4 and 5 December 2024 at the Hilton Hotel (Tours & Residences in Brazzaville). The theme of this year's event is "Local content and the domestic market: what to do, how to do it, with whom to do it, alone or together". Experts, political decision-makers and economic players will come together to reflect on strategies for harnessing local resources and promoting sustainable economic development.

Key points from the panels :

1. What to do? - Identify growth drivers specific to the local context, in particular through growth sectors such as agri-food, tourism or services...
2. What can be done? - Adopt innovative models, integrating technologies and public-private partnerships for effective implementation...
3. With Who? - Encouraging collaboration between local businesses, institutions and investors to create a sustainable ecosystem...
4. Alone or together? - The speakers will emphasise the strength of strategic alliances, while recognising the role of well-targeted individual initiatives...

A key event for the Congolese economy

For some time now, Carrefour Fridays have provided a platform for discussion and reflection on the Congo's economic and social challenges. This 30th session, which coincides with a period of economic recovery, will focus on the importance of local content in key sectors such as energy, the oil industry, mining, agriculture, timber, insurance, telecoms and finance. The objective is clear: to identify concrete solutions to boost local production, reduce dependence on imports and stimulate job creation.

The choice of this year's theme reflects a growing awareness of the need to build a resilient economy, capable of meeting domestic needs while integrating into regional and international dynamics. "What to do, how to do it, with whom to do it, alone or together? This issue invites an inclusive debate on public-private partnerships, cross-sector collaboration and individual or collective initiatives to promote "made in Congo".

A rich programme and high-level keynote speakers from all over the continent

Over the two days, participants will attend panel discussions and presentations of innovative projects. Topics will include energy transition, human capital development and access to finance for local SMEs. Experts from the private sector and international partners will share their experiences and visions for a more inclusive economic future.

The event will also feature contributions from key figures, including business leaders and representatives of international organisations. Discussions will be based on concrete case studies, highlighting successful initiatives to promote local content in Congo and other African countries.

Partners committed to development

The 30th session of Carrefour Fridays is supported by a number of high-profile sponsors, including IMPERATUS ENERGY, AMMAT GLOBAL RESOURCES, L'ARCHER, OR NOIR AFRICA, LE CABINET IRCAM and others. These partners, from a wide range of sectors, bear witness to the growing interest among economic players in initiatives to promote local content and strengthen the domestic market.

A call for collective action

By bringing together players from a variety of backgrounds, Carrefour Fridays aims to lay the foundations for a national strategy to develop local content. The event is intended as a catalyst for fruitful collaboration, where the notions of "alone" and "together" do not conflict, but complement each other to build a strong and competitive Congolese economy.

The organisers are calling on participants to get fully involved in the debates and come up with innovative solutions. As the Carrefour Think Tank points out, "Congo's future depends on our ability to make the most of our resources, to work together and to turn our challenges into opportunities".

This 30th session of CARREFOUR FRIDAYS confirmed the urgent need for collective action to boost local content and the domestic market. The avenues identified will serve as a roadmap for future initiatives, with a common objective: to build a resilient and inclusive economy.