Israel adopts win-win investment focus for Africa

The State of Israel has adopted a win-win investment drive for Africa, focusing on Agricultural Innovation Technology transfer, build-up of Information, Technology and Communication Infrastructure, and capacity building of the human capital to ensure self-sufficient Africa.

Mrs Ayelet Levin-Karp, Head of Trade and Economic Mission told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Tuesday that Israel was also exploring to assist Ghana and Africa in cyber security space, and the health sector.

She said Israel had advanced technology in purification of water, 100 per cent biologically, digital health facilities – new way for health care, renewable energy, solar usage – to ensure that Ghana and Africa did not continue to waste sunshine, and other technological grounds, which we are bringing to Ghana and Africa.

“Israel has adopted holistic open-ended approach and roll-up of other sectors for development based on analysis, as well as its relativity benefit to the people. We are not in Africa to rip it off, we are here to partner stakeholders for the growth of the continent,” Mrs Levin-Karp stated.

She said in view of the Israeli-Africa Agenda, it had set up three Economic and Trade Missions in East, South and West Africa, affirming the drive to work with the virgin continent progressively all their embassies in Africa would have an Economic and Trade Mission secretariat.

She said Africa had a huge potential for development, “only needed the right investment infrastructure for the economic take-off, and Israel is ready to partner Africa for the rapid socio-economic development”.

Mrs Levin-Karp said Israel considered Ghana as the economic hub to enter into the West African Market hence the setting up of the first Trade and Economic Mission for the sub-region in Accra.

She said Israel had seen lots of potentials in Ghana, which could be turned-around for mutual benefit and growth, whilst helping to create more jobs in Ghana and other African countries.

“There is rapid direction of economic and trade traffic towards Africa and Ghana in particular, we know the risk associated with investment across the world including; Africa, but Israel is never afraid of taking a risk.

“We are entering into the continent with long-term strategic plan for growth, we will work together at both the governmental and private sector levels,” Mrs Levin-Karp stated.

She said hordes of Israeli companies were exploring business opportunities with Ghanaian and African companies; “big Israeli companies are looking for indigenous companies to partner, Good local partner is always the best form of investment which normally leads to technological transfer”.

Mrs Levin-Karp said increasingly, Israeli innovativeness served as a source for continued development especially in the high-tech scene; “this is what we are bringing to Ghana and Africa to help bridge the technological gap”.

She explained that global rankings of the top innovation ecosystems in the world consistently found Israel to be one of the world's top locations for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

“Indeed, Israel's self-proclaimed ‘Start-up Nation’ title often comes as a surprise due to our country's small size, relatively young economy and culturally diverse population.

“Yet anyone who knows a thing or two about Israel knows that the country itself is a kind of "start-up" endeavour that takes risks, constantly seeks improvement and knows that innovation and creativity will pave the way forward,” she said.

On what made Israel a small country an innovation and technological superpower, Mrs Levin-Karp said developing a knack for innovation and risk-taking, and the courage to experiment, learning the value which has encouraged the country's generations of entrepreneurs to pursue new endeavours.

“Team-work, problem-solving and technical skills learnt during military service also contributed to the success of Israeli entrepreneurs on a global scale.

“Israel's top educational institutions have cultivated a knowledgeable nation of scientists, engineers, doctors and professors that strives to lead research trends in their fields.

“As a result, Israel has a notably high concentration of Nobel Prize laureates in comparison to its relatively small population,” Mrs Levin-Karp stated.

Mrs Levin-Karp said Israel was an attractive location for venture capital investment as government institutions encouraged and supported innovation, like the Office of the Chief Scientist.

“Israel has also made efforts to attract international technological companies to the wealth of engineering talent in the country, prompting major multinational companies to establish research and development centres in the country.

“Not only is Israel's engineering and entrepreneurial talent among the brightest in the world, it is also one of the most creative and diverse,” the Head of Trade and Economic Mission of Israel to Ghana added.