THE 30TH ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM (Virtual Attendance)

THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)

THE 30th ECONOMIC SYMPOSIUM
Theme: Economic Acceleration Towards a Resilient and Inclusive Future”
Date: 9th – 11th February 2022
Venue: Virtual
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm

Overview

In his 8th State of the Nation Address, the President observed that Kenya’s Economy has leapfrogged from being   12th Africa’s wealthiest nation with a GDP of Ksh.4.74 Trillion in 2013 to 6th wealthiest nation on the continent with GDP of Ksh.11 Trillion. This was facilitated through cumulative revenue collection of Ksh.10.8 Trillion last 8 years by the Tax Administrator (KRA).

The National Treasury Kenya observes through the draft 2022 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) that the country’s economy is experiencing fundamental changes caused by COVID19 pandemic which have disrupted livelihoods, businesses, and government operations. On the financing front, the African Development Bank further noted that COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the pressure on Africa’s development financing challenges by making public finances more strained, debt unsustainable, and foreign direct investment retracting. Findings from the UNDP (2021) further reveals that the long-term effects of COVID-19 on increasing child mortality, indirect mortality, and economic downturns by 2030 and 2050 might well exceed the extent of the initial shock.

Across the Continent, COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted certain development challenges (weakness of the health system, lack of social protection, vulnerabilities in the informal sectors, etc.), but also revealed the potential to face them with innovations in emerging sectors (digitalization) or new dynamics in other sectors (governance). The need for transformative domestic reforms to promote resilience (including revenue mobilization, digitalization, and fostering better transparency and governance) is more urgent than ever. The combined effects of global economic slowdown, the sharp decline in commodity prices, disruptions to domestic economic activity, and costs of measures to prevent or contain COVID-19 outbreaks have dealt an extreme shock to all African countries. Kenya has adopted to varied degrees, these measures.

The UNCTAD Technology and Innovation Report 2021 points out that recent developments in frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology, have shown tremendous potential for sustainable development. Yet, they also risk increasing inequalities by exacerbating and creating new digital divides between the technology haves and have-nots. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed this dichotomy. Technology has been a critical tool for addressing the spread of the disease, but not everyone has equal access to the benefits. It is time to ask how we can take full profit from the current technological revolution to attain Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint as well as reduce gaps that hold back truly inclusive and sustainable development.

Themed, “Economic Acceleration Towards a Resilient and Inclusive Future”, the 30^th Economic symposium seeks to explore strategies for economic recovery, employment creation and access to essential services by citizens.

The Symposium will focus on the following subthemes and topics:

Sub theme 1: Economic Acceleration Towards a Resilient and Inclusive Future

1. The Legacy of the Big Four Agenda & Post-Covid Recovery
2. Leveraging on Regional Economic Blocks for County Development
3. Adoption of Sovereign Wealth as a development tool for Inter-generational Equity in Kenya

Sub theme 2: Trade, Technology and Competitiveness for Kenya

4. Business Preparedness and the impact of the 4^th Industrial Revolution to Jobs, Wages and Profits in Kenya
5. Recalibrating Monetary policy in an electioneering year – the impact of elections to Inflation, Interest Rate and Money Supply
6. Kenya’s Preparedness and, Comparative and Competitive Advantage in AfCFTA one year down the line.
7. The Evolution and Disruption of FinTech, Payment Innovations in Kenya

Sub theme 3: Governance and Electioneering in Kenya

1. The Economics of Electioneering: the perspective of the Commission, Candidate/ Aspirants, Election Observers and Wanjiku
2. National Cohesion and Integration in an electioneering year – focus on the potential pitfalls to the seamless fabric of Kenya’s Society
3. Managing Transition: Closing in on Accountability Gaps

Financial Commitment:

**the cost caters for training fee, training materials, certificate, and meals during the conference

Note: Delegates are required to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Continuous Professional Development Units (CPDs).

Members of ICPAK and those from other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 Structured CPD points upon successfully attending the 30^th Economic Symposium.

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).

Sponsorship Opportunities & Additional Information

The Economic Symposium attracts over 300 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors presenting a rare chance for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com

Other requests for information can be channeled to us via telephone on +254 719074100

We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Symposium.