The State of the Africa Region seminar provides an opportunity to reflect on the main trends shaping economic development in the region. The seminar will discuss key challenges and opportunities facing Africa amid a weak and volatile regional and global economic environment. A special focus will be on investing in Africa in uncertain times, outlining national and regional policies and possible coordination mechanisms with the international development community to boost and sustain quality investment in the continent. The State of the Africa Region presentation will be followed by a panel discussion, including high-level policy makers and private sector operators from Africa. The panel discussion will be an opportunity to highlight the need for leveraging private sector investment to help fill Africa’s infrastructure gap as well as showcase early successes in this regard. It will also call attention to the opportunities that Africa offers to new investors.