Fifty years after independence Africa still remains in the periphery – great prospect notwithstanding the claim by some that the 21st century is here for the taking. Africa has many challenges and her success requires patience, persistence and perseverance. I am confident that Africa will one day take her pride of place at the dinner table of human development for three reasons: first, the encouraging signs of growth and democracy in Africa itself; second , the constructive role of business investment in expanding Africa’s economy; and third the emergence of public- private partnership in African business and social investing.

Prof. PLO Lumumba is an Associate Professor of Public Law, Founding Dean, Kabarak University School of Law and an Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya and Tanzania. He is a former Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law. He is the Founding Trustee of the African Institute for Leaders and Leadership (AILL) and founding Chairman of the Association of the Citizens Against Corruption (ACAC). He is a former lecturer at the University of Nairobi, the United States International University (Africa), Widener University USA (Nairobi Summer School). He is also a former Secretary of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission and former Director of the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). He holds Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi and a LL.D (Doctor of Laws) on the Law of the Sea from the University of Ghent, Belgium. He is also a holder of the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya FCPS (K), a Member of the Kenya Institute of Management (MKIM) and a Certified Mediator.Currently, Prof PLO Lumumba is actively involved in running his Foundation, Law Firm and Pan Africa activities.

Chair: Prof Dr Adams Bodomo