By Chioma Iruke
African Development Bank (AfDB) has postponed the 2021 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) due to the recent outbreak of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.
In a statement on its website on Monday, AfDB explained that the event which was scheduled to hold from December 1 -3, 2021, and hosted by the Ivory Coast Government in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, has now been postponed until further notice.
The AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, noted that the AIF presented the opportunity for countries and investors to seek business opportunities.
He, however, stated that the health and safety of attendees was of the utmost importance.
He said, “The Africa Investment Forum is the premier investment marketplace for Africa. Several billion dollars of investment projects were scheduled for investment board rooms with project sponsors and investors at this edition of the Africa Investment Forum.
“Unfortunately, with rising global travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 Omicron variant, and heightened concerns for health and safety, it is necessary, regrettably, to postpone the event. The health and safety of everyone comes first.”
