Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School, took part in the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Great Debate 2020.

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is felt across global supply chains, some see this as Africa's opportunity to fill the gaps created by the crisis in China and elsewhere. Others argue that existing challenges prevent the continent from seizing this window of opportunity. The Great Debate participants debated the motion: 'This house believes legacy trade practices and infrastructure bottlenecks are the biggest impediment for Africa to take advantage of the great global supply chain realignment'. Paul Collier led the team arguing against the motion.

The AFC is a muiltilateral development finance institution, with a particular focus on projects in the power, transportation and logistics, heavy industries, natural resources and telecommunications sectors. The Great Debate formed part of the Nordic-African Business Webcast, which sought to connect Nordic and African business communities to develop investment visibility across Africa.