B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., will discuss innovations in pharmaceutical engineering for the developing world at the eighth annual Conference on Business and Entrepreneurship in Africa on Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the VCU Commons Theater.

Virginia Commonwealth University will host the eighth annual Conference on Business and Entrepreneurship in Africa, which will bring together academic researchers, business professionals and government officials from around the world.

The conference, “The Big Emerging Continent: The Rise of Africa – Challenges and Opportunities,” is sponsored by the Africa Business and Entrepreneurship Research Society and the Center for International Business Advancement in the VCU School of Business. It will be held Oct. 4-7.

On Oct. 6, B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., the Floyd D. Gottwald Chair and professor in the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering and founder of the Medicines for All Institute in the VCU School of Engineering, will appear on a panel with pharmaceutical industry leader Manfred Psiorz and a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in Côte d’Ivoire. They will discuss how funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for VCU to find new processes to manufacture low-cost drugs will impact the pharmaceutical industry in Africa.The panel discussion takes place in the VCU Commons Theater from 1:30-3 p.m.

Other conference highlights include a Davos-style roundtable discussion focused on Central Virginia businesses interested in trading with Africa. It will feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Greater Richmond Partnership and the City of Richmond. VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will also give remarks at a reception.

Anne Goddard, president of ChildFund International, will also speak on about the work of her organization in promoting social entrepreneurship in Africa.

Florizelle Liser, president and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, will speak about how large U.S. corporations doing business in Africa are available to assist others in doing the same. And Albert Zeufack, chief economist for the Africa region at the World Bank, will give a keynote address in the morning and participate in the International Business Forum of the VCU School of Business where the theme will be China’s presence in Africa.

The conference will also include an evening cultural event featuring a buffet-style African dinner and the music of West Africa, with an introduction to musical instruments followed by dancing.

For a full list of conference events and to register, visit www.africabusiness.org. Roughly one-third of the sessions have food and require registration. Sessions without food are free of charge to VCU students, alumni and the community. More details are available in the conference program.