KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube welcomed hundreds of international delegates attending the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) 2023 on Tuesday, November 21, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.
WBAF, an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), is a strategic global organisation whose mission is to ease access to finance for businesses from start up to scale up, said Premier Dube-Ncube. The meetings were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 21 and 22.
“In 2021, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, put forward a successful bid to host the WBAF 2023,” she said.
“Hosting the gathering of global leaders is a welcome boost for the province. It aligns with the province’s economic recovery and development strategy, which puts supporting and financing innovation, start-ups and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) at the centre.”
She said that the event brings together entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers from different parts of the globe.
Premier Dube-Ncube added that they will make meaningful connections and matchmaking for provincial local businesses.
“As we rebuild our economy, we recognise the importance of entrepreneurship and international investment. In particular, we welcome the fact that as an affiliate of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), WBAF 2023 focuses on the digital and business transformation of small businesses,” said Ms Dube-Mcube.
“There is also a special focus on the quality of local investors as part of efforts to increase financial inclusion in local economies in post-pandemic times.”
