Latest news with #InvestAfrica
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Invest Africa and United Kingdom (UK) Government Announce Strategic Partnership for The Africa Debate
Invest Africa ( 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: Websites: Invest Africa ( The Africa Debate ( 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.
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria Strengthens Trade and Investment Ties with the United Kingdom (UK) During the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit
Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, successfully concluded a series of high-level engagements in London, reinforcing Nigeria's commitment to fostering trade and investment partnerships with the UK. The visit, anchored around the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit held on 7-8 April, provided a vital platform to showcase Nigeria's strategic economic priorities and attract investment into key sectors. During her visit, Dr. Oduwole participated in two exclusive events hosted by Invest Africa, engaging with top-tier stakeholders, business leaders, and investors. These engagements underscored Nigeria's dedication to economic diversification, investment mobilisation, and strengthening the London-Lagos investment corridor. On 8 April, the Minister delivered a keynote address at an Invest Africa-hosted roundtable, where she outlined Nigeria's investment potential and strategic trade policies. The discussion focused on boosting non-oil sectors, promoting ease of doing business, and enhancing UK-Nigeria commercial ties. Senior executives from the UK business and investor community engaged directly with the Minister, fostering dialogue on new investment opportunities and partnerships that will contribute to Nigeria's long-term development goals. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated: 'Nigeria is open for business, and we are committed to creating an environment that fosters investment, innovation, and economic growth. Our engagements in London demonstrate our dedication to strengthening trade ties, supporting local and foreign investors, and ensuring that Nigeria remains a prime investment destination. The opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in non-oil sectors, are immense, and we invite investors to be part of this journey towards sustainable development.' Additionally, the Minister participated in an exclusive event co-hosted by Invest Africa in partnership with Lagos Free Zone (LFZ). This strategic engagement positioned LFZ as a premier investment hub within Nigeria's manufacturing sector, showcasing its potential to attract global investors and support the country's industrialisation agenda. The event featured a presentation by Lagos Free Zone MD&CEO, Adesuwa Ladoja, and a dynamic panel discussion exploring Nigeria's industrial landscape and how LFZ can support UK businesses keen on exploring pathways for sustainable growth in Nigeria. Karen Taylor, Chair of Invest Africa, commented: 'Invest Africa is proud to facilitate meaningful engagement between Nigerian leaders and the UK business community. The Minister's participation in our events underscores Nigeria's strategic importance as a trade and investment partner. We look forward to continuing to support initiatives that drive economic collaboration and unlock new business opportunities.' Adesuwa Ladoja, MD&CEO of Lagos Free Zone, remarked: 'The Lagos Free Zone represents a game-changer for Nigeria's manufacturing and industrial sectors, offering world-class infrastructure and seamless business operations. This event provided a crucial platform to showcase how strategic investments in LFZ can unlock deeper penetration into the Nigerian market for UK businesses and drive Nigeria's industrialisation. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to welcoming global investors.' Dr. Oduwole's engagements in London aligned with Nigeria's four key strategic pillars: investment mobilisation, trade revenue growth, economic diversification, and strategic communications. Through these discussions, the Minister reinforced Nigeria's proactive approach to fostering international trade relations, unlocking new business opportunities, and strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the UK. As Nigeria continues its journey toward sustainable economic transformation, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment remains committed to advancing strategic partnerships and positioning Nigeria as a top-tier investment destination on the global stage. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform with over sixty years of expertise in Africa, dedicated to connecting businesses with unique opportunities across the continent. Their global network comprises more than 400 member companies, including multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service providers, government bodies, and entrepreneurs. With chapters in Kenya, South Africa, the UAE, the UK, and the US, Invest Africa leverages their global reach, market intelligence, and extensive network to support and connect businesses. As a trusted gateway into Africa, they drive socio-economic growth by facilitating sustainable capital flows and providing strategic insights through our membership, consultancy services, and dynamic events programme.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth: The Africa Debate Returns to London
Now in its 11th year, The Africa Debate 2025 returns as London's leading Africa-focused investment forum, bringing together global policymakers, industry leaders, and investors at the prestigious Guildhall on 2 July 2025. At a time when Africa's economic transformation is at a critical inflection point, this year's debate will focus on 'Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth.' With 60% of the world's richest solar resources and a wealth of critical minerals crucial to next-generation industries, Africa is positioned at the centre of the global energy transition. However, realising this opportunity requires more than just resource extraction. The focus must shift towards bold policy reforms, investment in value chains, and partnerships that promote industrial growth, ensuring Africa is not just a supplier of raw materials but a leader in global markets. 'Africa is no longer defined by its raw materials - it is emerging as a global force in advanced industries, sustainable energy, and digital innovation,' said Chantelé Carrington, CEO at Invest Africa. 'The challenge now is not just unlocking potential, but turning ambition into action. This year's debate will bring together visionary leaders and investors to shape the strategies that will drive Africa's next phase of economic transformation.' Key Themes Driving The Africa Debate This year's discussions will focus on four central themes shaping Africa's investment landscape: Africa's Role in Global Supply Chains: With demand for green energy and digital infrastructure surging, Africa has a unique opportunity to move up the value chain and position itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing and sustainable industrialisation. At The Africa Debate, we will explore the policies, investments, and trade agreements needed to ensure that Africa captures greater economic value from its natural capital rather than exporting it in its raw form. Mobilising Capital for Natural Resources: Unlocking Africa's vast resources requires smart, structured finance. Traditional funding models have fallen short in mobilising the capital needed for infrastructure, energy, and industrialisation. At The Africa Debate, we will examine how blended finance, innovative investment vehicles, and risk-mitigation tools can de-risk projects and bridge Africa's financing gap. Digitalising Natural Capital: Africa loses an estimated $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, opaque commodity trading and resource mispricing. Could blockchain technology provide the transparency and security needed to capture fair value from resources? At The Africa Debate, we will explore whether blockchain and digital solutions can revolutionise governance in extractives, sustainable agriculture, and carbon markets. Industrialisation and Energy: Africa must triple its energy generation capacity by 2040 to meet growing industrial and consumer demand, yet investment in the energy sector remains fragmented and inconsistent. At The Africa Debate, we will explore bankable energy solutions—from renewables and gas to nuclear—and discuss the financing models needed to ensure Africa secures reliable, sustainable, and scalable energy for industrial growth. The Africa Debate 2025 offers a unique platform for deal-making, strategic discussions and networking that will shape the future of trade and investment across the continent. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from high-level industry leaders, investors, and policymakers driving Africa's economic transformation. Join us on 2 July 2025 at London's Guildhall for a day of unparalleled thought leadership and opportunity. Register now at The Africa Debate 2025 ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. Websites: Invest Africa: The Africa Debate: 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 business and investment platform with over sixty years of expertise in Africa, dedicated to connecting businesses with unique opportunities across the continent. Their global network comprises more than 400 member companies, including multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service providers, government bodies, and entrepreneurs. With chapters in Kenya, South Africa, the UAE, the UK, and the US, Invest Africa leverages their global reach, market intelligence, and extensive network to support and connect businesses. As a trusted gateway into Africa, they drive socio-economic growth by facilitating sustainable capital flows and providing strategic insights through our membership, consultancy services, and dynamic events programme.
Zawya
30-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
S-RM continues strategic partnership with Invest Africa for 2025
Global corporate intelligence and cyber security consultancy S-RM ( has announced the continuation of its strategic partnership with Invest Africa ( a leading business platform promoting trade and investment in Africa, for a second year. S-RM and Invest Africa joined forces in January 2024 with the goal of supporting business leaders and investors with critical decision making and providing them with the confidence to navigate risk and build resilient companies on the continent. Last year S-RM and Invest Africa jointly hosted multiple events, notably the Mining Series 2024 in Cape Town, and several panels in London and Nairobi focused on sustainable African investment. These events brought together key global stakeholders with vested interests in Africa and promoted robust and collaborative solutions to investment on the continent. Throughout the year, S-RM continued to engage with Invest Africa's members and wider network, supporting them on a range of integrity and ESG due diligence remits. Building on this success, S-RM and Invest Africa aim to further empower businesses and investors in 2025. Key goals include expanding the delivery of actionable intelligence tailored to the evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscape through strategic events and co-curated thought leadership. Additionally, S-RM will headline three Invest Africa events this year: Mining Series (February), Africa Debate UK (July), and Africa Debate UAE (September). With a nearly two-decade-long presence in Africa and over 50 practitioners currently based on the continent, S-RM is uniquely positioned to continue providing Invest Africa's member network with industry-leading intelligence, resilience, and response solutions. Chantelé Carrington, CEO, Invest Africa, said: 'Our partnership with S-RM has proven to be a tremendous asset to our network, providing critical insights and solutions in a rapidly evolving business landscape. As we embark on the next phase of this collaboration, we remain committed to enabling confident decision-making and resilience-building for businesses across Africa. Together with S-RM, we look forward to unlocking further opportunities for trade and investment across the continent in 2025.' Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA, S-RM, said: ' We are delighted the partnership with Invest Africa is not just rolling into a second year but that we are building on our success in 2024. I am excited for the year ahead and in particular our greater involvement in Invest Africa's event calendar, starting with the Mining Series next month.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. For further information, please contact: Adam Kellett Rostrum s-rm@ George Meadows Invest Africa About S-RM: S-RM is a corporate intelligence and cyber security consultancy. Founded in 2005, we have 400+ practitioners globally, serving clients across all regions and major sectors. We support our clients by delivering intelligence that informs strategy and decision-making; by supporting them in building resilience to cyber threats; and by providing rapid response to cyber incidents and other organisational crises. We partner with leading organisations, supporting them at all levels, from CEOs and their boards through to front-line teams. Find out more at About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform, using over sixty years' experience in Africa to provide our network with unique information and exposure to business opportunities. We have a global footprint of over 400 member companies comprising of multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service organisations, government bodies and entrepreneurs. With chapters in the UK, UAE, US, South Africa, and Kenya, we connect our network by leveraging our extensive global reach, market intelligence and exposure to business opportunities. As the trusted entry point into Africa, we support and connect business and investment through our membership, dynamic events programme and consult service. We strive to play a central and influential role in Africa's socio-economic growth by guiding sustainable capital towards key prospects on the continent. Our high standards consistently enact our belief that a responsible and profitable private sector has a crucial role to play in Africa's development. Find out more at
