African business executives and company directors will gather in Johannesburg this month for a three-day conference to discuss ways to help revive the continent's economy.

The conference is convened by Black Business Executive Circle (BBEC), which is affiliated to Mafube Enterprise, together with the New Partnership for Africa's Development office.

The gathering titled: "Towards the creation of a Global African Economic Community", will be held on August 17 to 19 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

"The conference will explore how Nepad can serve as a catalyst to help business from diaspora to trade and investment within a borderless global African economic community", said Mafube Enterprise marketing manager Anna Ngwenya.

Nepad was Africa's economic revival plan spearheaded by South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Nepad focused on redefining Africa's relationships with its allies within the global community, and sought to foster expanded trade and investment linkages within the continent, as well as between the continent and the wider international economy.

"Thus it is fitting that in these early days of the commencement of the implementation of Nepad, we seek to inform major African-led business institutions across the continent and within the diaspora about the aims of Nepad, its goals, its existing structures, needs, and the opportunities it has and can continue to create," she said. Mbeki is scheduled to have a round table discussion with the delegates on how they could advance Nepad's vision.

Ngwenya said it would be the first time the continent's captains of industry had came together to discuss the economy of Africa.

The BBEC consists of senior black business executives who come together to discuss, share experience and explore business opportunities.

They have visited a number of African countries to investigate potential investment.

They comprise chief executive officers, executive chairpersons, managing directors and those in senior general management positions in parastatals, multinationals and major South African or African corporations.

The BBEC is also a member of the Black Business Council and its chairperson is successful businessman, Peter Vundla.

Delegates from South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, the US, Europe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt are expected to attend the conference. – Sapa.