On Thursday 14 July, the Initiative hosted Stephen Jennings for a dinner lecture. Jennings, the Taranaki-born economist and investor, has spent the past 24 years outside New Zealand. First he pioneered capital markets in post-communist Russia. Now he heads Africa’s largest urban development company, Rendeavour.
Despite this high-flying international career, Jennings has not lost interest in his native New Zealand. However, his continental distance allows for a sober look at our domestic affairs.
A copy of Stephen's dinner address can be viewed here. A published version will be available in due course.
You can watch Stephen's address in the below video.
Below are a list of media mentions generated following the dinner lecture, as well as a series of articles written prior to the event.
Stephen Jennings on Q&A - Sunday 17 July
- Rich-lister Jennings aims at education, NZCity.co.nz, 17 July 2016
- Kiwi betting big on African bull, Business Herald, 16 July 2016
- Rich-lister sends message to Key, NZ Herald, 16 July 2016
- Rich-lister: tax system favours the wealthy, NZ Herald, 15 July 2016
- Jennings' challenge to New Zealand, Dr Oliver Hartwich, Insights, 15 July 2016
- The African opportunity, Stephen Jennings, Insights Newsletter, 10 June 2016
- Why New Zealand should take an interest in Africa's rise, Dr Oliver Hartwich, The National Business Review, 20 May 2016
New Zealand entrepreneur Stephen Jennings has been living and working in emerging markets for more than 20 years. He is a pioneer of capital markets in Central, Eastern Europe and Africa, responsible for over $200 billion of investment into these regions.
With his latest projects, Jennings is spearheading huge urban development projects in Africa through his company Rendeavour.
He believes that the opportunities for Africa are greater than anywhere else in the world. This is not because Africa is different but because the potential for catch-up and convergence is greater – and is likely to be fulfilled more rapidly. Jennings also makes the case that New Zealand businesses should get engaged in Africa’s rise.
The dinner lecture will be a rare opportunity to hear one of New Zealand’s most successful businesspeople on the power of markets and entrepreneurship in emerging economies – and why they are more transformative than either philanthropy or government aid.
Date: Thursday, 14 July 2016
Time: 6.00 PM - 10.30 PM
Location SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre Auckland Room 88 Federal Street Auckland