By Princewill Ekwujuru

Philips has kicked off the Abuja leg of the Cape Town to Cairo road show 2011, during which, from May 12th to July 11th, 2011, Philips will be traveling across Africa to raise awareness about how healthcare and lighting solutions can improve the quality of life across the continent.

This is the second African road show undertaken by Philips and will cover 12,000 kilometers in 62 days, visiting a total of twelve countries.

“As many developed countries are struggling to stimulate economic growth, a strong middle class of 313 million, or 34 percent of the African population is on the rise in what is still considered the world’s most impoverished continent,” said Dr. Gottfried Dutiné, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Markets and Innovation at Philips, in Cape Town today.

“This group of mainly young, eager and mobile Africans is rapidly rivaling the middle classes of China and India. Philips sees this continent as a new growth market.”

The Philips team will engage with customers, governments, NGOs and media to discuss experiences and insights for addressing key challenges facing Africa today: Mother and Child Care, Women’s healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and healthy living.