Welcome
Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for Africa, World Bank
Moderator Introduction
Mary-Ann Etiebet, President & CEO, Vital Strategies and Board Member, CGD
Opening Remarks
Rana Hajjeh, President, Population Council
Presentation of Report Findings
Estelle Koussoubé, Senior Economist, World Bank
Kehinde Ajayi, Senior Fellow & Director of Gender Equality and Inclusion Program, CGD
Panel 1
Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison, Minister of Economy and Finance, Madagascar
Romuald Wadagni, Senior Minister of Economy and Finance, Benin
Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa
Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa
Panel 2
Safiya, Student, Nigeria
Ramatu Bangura, Founding Director, Children’s Rights Innovation Fund and Co-CEO, We Are Purposeful
Marieme Esther Dassanou, Director of Gender Programs, Mastercard Foundation
Join us for a groundbreaking discussion on empowering Africa’s adolescent girls, based on the new report “Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Africa” - a collaboration between the Center for Global Development, the Population Council, and the World Bank Group. The report highlights the transformative role adolescent girls play in Africa's economic development and offers critical insights and recommendations to address the gender-specific challenges they face, emphasizing how investments in girls’ education, health, and economic opportunities can unlock substantial benefits for individuals and economies alike. Learn how strategic investment in girls' empowerment can drive significant economic growth, with potential returns exceeding ten times the initial investment.
