Invest Africa and United Kingdom (UK) Government Announce Strategic Partnership for The Africa Debate
Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading platform for promoting trade and investment across the African continent, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the UK Government for the 11th edition of The Africa Debate, taking place on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 at the historic Guildhall in the City of London.
As the UK's leading forum for high-level dialogue on Africa's economic trajectory, The Africa Debate 2025 will convene over 500 senior leaders from government, finance, and industry to explore this year's theme: 'Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth'. The agenda will examine how African nations can leverage their abundant resources – from critical minerals and biodiversity to human capital – to build globally competitive industries, enhance intra-African value chains, and deliver inclusive, sustainable development.
The event comes at a strategically important moment: just over one year into the new UK Government, as it sets out a renewed international agenda focused on trade, investment, and strategic partnership with Africa.
The Rt Hon. the Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa, commented: 'The UK recognises the critical role Africa plays in the global economy and in shaping a sustainable, inclusive future. We are proud to support The Africa Debate as a strategic platform to deepen trade and investment ties with African partners and boost mutual economic growth between our countries. Our ambition in our new approach to Africa is to support the scale-up of transformative green growth across the continent – and the UK stands ready to be a long-term, trusted partner in that journey.'
Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Africa, added: 'Our collaboration with the UK Government is a major milestone for The Africa Debate. With a new administration in place, this is a crucial opportunity to shape a modern and meaningful UK-Africa relationship centred on mutual benefit. As African economies focus on industrialisation, value addition, and sustainable investment, we are proud to offer a platform that connects the UK's financial expertise and private sector strength with Africa's vast economic potential.'
The Africa Debate 2025 will feature head of state and ministerial keynotes, alongside high-level plenaries and curated side events that convene senior leaders from across Africa and the global investment community. This year's agenda will examine how the continent can harness its natural capital – through the lenses of finance, industrialisation, and digital innovation – to drive long-term value creation and sustainable development. Our strategic partnership reflects the UK's commitment to forging deeper, future-oriented relationships with African partners – focused on mobilising investment at scale, promoting inclusive economic growth, and co-creating resilient solutions to shared global challenges.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
Media Contact:
Invest Africa
Email: pippa.vanbreda@investafrica.com
Websites:
Invest Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4k2YU2U)
The Africa Debate (https://apo-opa.co/43u2xbJ)
About The Africa Debate:
The Africa Debate is London's premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment, and economic transformation. Now in its 11th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa's evolving role in the global economy.
About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, that drives trade and investment across the continent. With over sixty years' experience in Africa, we provide our network with trusted market insights, tailored business support, and platforms for meaningful engagement. Our network includes more than 400 multinational corporations, investors, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, united by a shared commitment to building sustainable opportunity across Africa.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Afreximbank: 2025 Annual General Meeting - AFRICA24 Deploys Exceptional Coverage
From June 25 to 28, 2025, in Abuja (Nigeria), Afreximbank (the African Export-Import Bank), a leading financial institution on the continent, will hold its 32nd Annual Meetings. This high-profile event will be broadcast live and in full on all AFRICA24 platforms ( This prestigious gathering will bring together Heads of State, top global decision-makers, ministers, leaders of financial institutions, private sector stakeholders, experts, and entrepreneurs to engage in dialogue on major issues related to intra-African trade financing, industrialization, the AfCFTA, South-South partnerships, and the structural transformation of the continent. In a global context marked by profound economic and geopolitical shifts, Afreximbank's Annual Meetings provide Africa with a unique strategic platform to strengthen its economic sovereignty and boost continental cooperation. 360° Multilingual and Digital Audiovisual Coverage To make the decisions and discussions shaping the future of African trade accessible to all, the AFRICA24 Group is deploying an exceptional editorial system featuring: Live broadcasts of plenary sessions, panels, and official speeches Exclusive interviews with key political and economic decision-makers present in Abuja Immersive reports on continental trends and innovations led by African stakeholders In-depth analysis of key issues from top experts Exclusive digital content available on MyAfrica24, the first HD streaming platform dedicated to Africa (available on Google Play) Tune in on myafrica24 app (Google Play), AFRICA24 in French (Channel 170), and AFRICA24 English (Channel 176) on the Canal+Afrique bouquet. With the AFRICA24 Group: Together, Let's Transform Africa Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group. Contact: Communications Department – AFRICA24 Group Gaëlle Stella Oyono Email: onana@ Phone: +237 694 90 99 88 Social Media: @ africa24tv Website:
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
The Sobha Realty partnership helping Arsenal's training ground get match-fit
Blink and you would miss it. The entrance to the Sobha Realty Arsenal Training Ground is a cutaway in a high hedge running along a row of detached houses where the rolling English countryside meets the motorway network. A trailblazing centre that was bought and opened in the era of Arsene Wegner's 2003-2004 Invincibles team, the 147-acre site north of London is also a jewel in the global ambitions of the Sobha Realty property empire. Naming rights were acquired this year, allowing the real estate company to place the team as its prime marketing vehicle. No one could act as a greater champion of the talking points of the training ground than facilities manager Sean O'Connor. No one except perhaps the former player Tony Adams, who was captain of the club when the 10 new all-weather pitches first opened around the turn of the century. In fact, the pair make a practised double act, with Mr O'Connor still referring to Mr Adams as captain. Figures about the ground trip lightly from O'Connor such as the 17 miles of pipes under the pitches or the £1 million cost of replacing the hybrid grass, cork and fibre first team practice pitch. A hanger-like gym facility with training and rehabilitation equipment, including a gravity-altered treadmill adapted from Nasa technology was the last big opening at the Hertfordshire site in 2018 when Unai Emery was the manager. O'Connor hints that another big redevelopment could be on the cards talking about accommodation facilities and partnerships, including specialist health care and rehabilitation ventures. New levels of ambition for the facility are central to the potential that Juliet Slot, the chief commercial officer of the club and linchpin of the relationship with Sobha, sees as underwritten by the sponsorship template. 'You get a sense of the care and attention that goes into every detail to create the best environment to fuel our teams' performance,' she said. 'Excellence is at the heart of our partnership. Bringing them on board as our naming rights partner for the training ground was something new for us, and their expertise is helping us to realise new opportunities for the space, and ensure we are always moving forward in creating world-class facilities for the future.' The effort to create awareness in the UK of Sobha as a property developer focused on developments in the Middle East, or indeed in Texas and India, is not limited to the TV coverage of the club that came second in the league last season, qualifying for Europe's Champions League football in 2025-26. The company has also raised awareness with a place on the hallowed turf at Lord's during this week's ICC world test championship of cricket. There is also a Sobha showroom on the most prized part of the Monopoly board in Park Lane, central London. The studio on Park Lane is a statement for the business, like the high-profile tie-up with Arsenal, designed for maximum impact. The location is obviously prestigious and a lure for inviting potential clients. It also is well located for people who walk in after recognising the brand or seeking it out online. For the marketing channels that Sobha maintains in the UK such as its real estate agents, the studio is also a place of hospitality. Displays of new developments dot the two floors of the building, which overlooks Hyde Park. Sales staff are able to promote Dubai as attractive to the UK investor for a cavalcade of reasons. Property investors in the domestic market are beleaguered and complain of a lost decade. Property taxes are higher, prices are volatile and not now growing as fast as the previous decade. Rental yields do not clearly exceed the interest and tax levels to give super returns. The attractions of releasing UK property equity and recycling the funds into Dubai holdings have only grown since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. A new trend for the sales team is the wave of UK residents who have reacted negatively to recent increases in taxes and the stalled growth of the overall economy, seeking new careers and better lifestyle options in Dubai and the region. With moving to Dubai on the cards, many new clients are buying off-plan in London with an eye on moving into the development some time after they have set up their new jobs. 'We're witnessing a growing interest in the UK from investors, individuals, and families opting for Dubai as their new home, reflecting an expanding allure of Dubai as an ideal destination globally,' said Ashish Parakh, group chief sales and marketing officer. 'We are dedicated to facilitating this transition by focusing on developing integrated communities that provide physical space, a sense of belonging, opportunity, and long-term value. We offer tailored services designed for international residents. We guide UK buyers through each stage of their journey to Dubai, enabling them to embark on this new chapter in their lives.' The company likes to boast it has central locations, villa communities, penthouse apartments and mansions. Most popular is the four or five bedroom home, which is attractive to the demographic of UK residents in their 30s or 40s who boast globally transferable skills. There are lots of UK professionals working in IT, Finance, real estate and technology businesses that are moving over to the UAE, the Sobha staff said. Where once it was investors or those looking for a holiday home, now it is those moving over. The attractions outside the strictly business aspects are to create a new way of life, to have a lot more day-to-day safety. Many are taking their families on the move and so need that bit more space. There is also a younger layer of buyer in their 20s or sub-30s with a niche set of buyers with YouTube and influencer profiles. At the Arsenal main stadium the Sobha presence is right next to the club's own media parlour. It is awash with YouTube talent every week. Another meeting place of the shared interests between the north London club and the UAE-focused developer.
Crypto Insight
9 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
Crypto has killed the weekend: Hedge funds quietly scramble to adapt
The always-on crypto market is reshaping global finance, pushing hedge funds and trading firms to look beyond traditional hours and staff desks through the weekend. Qube Research & Technologies, a global quantitative investment management firm headquartered in London, is hiring for a 'Crypto | Quant Trader (Weekend Shift)' role in London, which requires weekend availability in addition to a four-day workweek. The role, which includes overseeing continuous crypto trading, monitoring strategy performance and risks and implementing signals and data sets, requires working every other weekend and a normal day shift four days per week. Unlike traditional financial markets that operate on fixed schedules and close on weekends, the crypto market runs 24/7. There are no closing bells, holidays or after-hours sessions, and price movements can happen at any time, even during weekends. TradFi firms hire for weekend crypto roles Other traditional finance firms are also expanding crypto hiring to cover weekends. American high-frequency trading company Virtu Financial is seeking a weekend trader in Singapore to cover digital asset activity outside of weekday trading windows. Jump Trading's crypto division was looking to hire a weekend trader in Chicago. The position is currently not available, suggesting the company might have found the right candidate. The rise in weekend crypto roles comes as major hedge funds and trading firms are building crypto teams and infrastructure to operate around the clock. Brevan Howard's dedicated crypto unit, BH Digital, now boasts dozens of staff, including over 15 portfolio managers, more than 10 data scientists/traders and 20 external engineers supporting its strategies. Steve Cohen's hedge fund, Point72, is similarly expanding. Its Cubist quant division is hiring a crypto-focused quantitative developer in Paris. In a March report, CoinShares revealed that seven of the top 10 largest holders of Bitcoin ETF shares are now hedge funds. 'Hedge funds alone now account for 41% of all 13-F Bitcoin ETF holdings, surpassing investment advisers for the first time,' the firm wrote. Crypto remains volatile on weekends Crypto continues to show volatility during weekends. In April, crypto prices tumbled after a Friday tariff announcement by US President Donald Trump. The decline continued over the weekend, which saw Bitcoin drop 7%, to $77,000 from $83,000. Crypto markets can also turn extremely volatile during weekends if hacks or breaches occur. With thinner liquidity and limited staffing, exploits timed for late Friday or Saturday can trigger rapid sell-offs, leading to sharp price drops. While hedge funds are only now hiring for weekend roles, crypto traders have long operated without breaks. 'Weekends are for working. Free time? No such thing, work time. Save your free time for the bear. For now, we grind,' altcoin trader Altcoin Gordon wrote on X. Source:
