AfBC UK - Africa Business Forum 2025, London

Africa in 2025 presents an unparalleled landscape for doing business and making strategic investments. With over 1.5 billion people, the world’s fastest-growing working-age population, rapid urbanization, and increasing digital connectivity, the continent is evolving into a major global economic force. Regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is transforming Africa into a single market, opening access to more than 50 economies and amplifying the ease of cross-border trade and investment.

Across diverse sectors—including renewable energy, agribusiness, digital technology, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services—Africa offers compelling opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders seeking sustainable growth and long-term returns. Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda are pioneering economic reforms, expanding industrial capacity, and embracing innovation to attract global capital.

As Africa modernizes, so does its business environment. Governments are improving regulatory frameworks, streamlining investment procedures, and supporting private sector growth through targeted incentives. Meanwhile, Africa’s growing tech ecosystem, combined with a vibrant youth population and rising middle class, is creating new markets, scalable solutions, and unprecedented demand for quality goods and services.

However, to fully understand and navigate the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Africa, global stakeholders must engage directly with leaders, innovators, and policy-makers on the ground.

Join Us in London – AfBC UK - Africa Business Forum 2025

We are pleased to invite you to attend the Africa Business Chamber (AfBC) UK - Africa Business Forum 2025 (UABF2025) —The premier event designed to strengthen economic relations, trade and investment between the UK and African markets.

Date: 24–25 September 2025

Location/Venue: De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London

Theme: Redefining Growth: A New Era for UK–Africa Economic Relations, Trade and Investment

Wednesday 24 September 2025:

UK - Africa Trade and Investment Forum

AfBC UK - Africa Business Networking Reception

Thursday 25 September 2025:

UK - Africa Business Forum

About The Annual AfBC UK - Africa Business Forum

The AfBC UK–Africa Business Forum is the premier annual event convening business leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals to explore Africa’s dynamic economic landscape and its growing investment potential.

This high-level forum is committed to unlocking sustainable trade, investment, and financing opportunities. It fosters impactful partnerships and provides practical insights for successfully doing business across the continent.

Focused on accelerating UK–Africa economic collaboration, the Forum brings together a diverse network of stakeholders—from government officials and corporate executives to development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral development banks (MDBs), institutional investors, philanthropists, venture capitalists, banks, NGOs, academics, and members of the diaspora.

Join us to uncover high-potential investment opportunities that drive inclusive, long-term growth in Africa. Engage with expert speakers, connect with like-minded leaders, and participate in strategic conversations that are shaping a more sustainable future.

Explore key trends in investment, ESG-driven innovation, and proven strategies for navigating Africa’s evolving markets. Through compelling case studies and pioneering projects, the Forum will highlight the rise of sustainable and impact investing—showcasing how responsible capital is delivering tangible benefits for both communities and investors.

As the flagship event of the African Business Chamber (AfBC), this Forum serves as a vital platform for shaping the future of UK–Africa economic relations. It promotes dialogue, innovation, and collaboration around sustainability and shared prosperity.

Designed to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnership development, the Forum will spotlight priority sectors and critical themes, including:

THE PROGRAMME

Day 1: UK - Africa Trade and Investment Forum

09:00 - 10:00 Registration and Networking

10:00 - 12:30 Reimagining UK–Africa Strategy: Unlocking Economic Growth, Trade, and Investment in a Contested and Fragmented Global Economy

• Demystifying and unpacking The UK's 2025 Modern Trade Strategy, New approach to Africa’s growth and economic transformation, Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Partnership
• Shaping Trade for Mutual Prosperity in the New Global Order: Enhancing trade facilitation, market access, and economic partnerships to drive growth.
• Strengthening and Brokering new UK–Africa Trade Relations: Enhancing trade policies, strategies, and mutual partnerships.
• Africa Economic Outlook and Trends: Regional market prospects and growth trajectories across the continent.
• Driving Sustainable Economic Growth: Long-term development through inclusive, resilient, and green approaches.
• Redesigning and strengthening UK – Africa supply and value chain for Growth and Resilience: Creating enabling policies, the environment and robust integration for SMEs and large enterprises to thrive.
• The Role of the African Diaspora and Prosperity: Contributions to trade, investment, and remittance flows.

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break

13:30 - 17:00 Moving from Dialogue to actions: Mobilising, Driving Sustainable Finance and Impact Investment in Africa

• Africa’s Untapped Potential for Business, Trade and Investment Landscape: Emerging trends, major deals, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing opportunities in Africa
• Unlocking and Seizing Growth and Untapped Investments in Africa: Mobilising capital to finance inclusive and transformative projects in Banking and FinTech, Technology and Telecom, Energy, Oil and Gas, Mining and Mineral Resources, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Tourism, Transport and Logistics, Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Real Estate, FMCG, Fashion, Music and Creative Industries.
• Strengthening Capital Markets and Financial Innovation.
• Scaling Sustainability, Green Growth and Impact Investing: ESG integration, green bonds, and responsible investment strategies.
• Financing Growth and Bridging Gaps Through Strategic and Principal Investment: Blended Finance, DFIs, FDIs, Export and Trade Finance

18:00 - 21:00 UK - Africa Business Forum Networking Reception

Day 2: UK - Africa Business Forum

09:00 - 09:30 Registration and Networking

09:30 - 12:30 Amplifying Africa’s Economic Growth: Market Opportunities, Access, Transformation and Cross Border Trading

• Economic Climate and Market Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa: Emerging investment trends, major deals, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing opportunities in: Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern and Central Africa
• Market Access and Investment Facilitation: Entry strategies, ease of doing business, and risk mitigation tools for investors.
• Navigating Trade Digitalisation, e-Trade and Regulatory Complexity: Cross-border trade policies, compliance, and regional integration.
• Managing Market Risks and Building Resilience: Risk assessment, geopolitical influences, and economic resilience strategies.
• Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization and Manufacturing: Value addition, infrastructure, and industrial policy advancements.
• Importing and Exporting, International Transactions and Payments

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break

13:30 - 17:00 Doing Business Climate, De-Risking Operation, Navigating Uncertainty, Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability

• Navigating African markets complexities and business climate
• Redesigning and strengthening UK – Africa supply and value chain for Growth and Resilience: Creating enabling policies, the environment and robust integration for SMEs and large enterprises to thrive.
• Harnessing Sustainable and Digital Supply Chains: Technology for efficient, transparent, and environmentally responsible trade.
• Smart and Green Trade: Innovations in clean technology and climate-conscious trade practices.
• Innovating for Sustainable Development: Exploring advanced technology, fintech, healthtech, digital trade, and entrepreneurship in the digital economy.
• Powering the Green Transition and ESG: Promoting ethical business practices, sustainable supply chains, and CSR.

18:00 - 21:00 Networking Reception

Join us in shaping a resilient, innovative, and prosperous economic future for the UK and Africa. Participate in thought-provoking discussions, gain insights from distinguished speakers, and engage with a network of like-minded investors, business leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

#AfricanBusinessForum #UABIF2025

SPEAKERS

Omar Daair - Africa Director at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Office FCDO, UK Government

H.E. Johnston Busingye - Rwanda High Commissioner to the UK

H.E. Macenje Mazoka - Zambia High Commissioner to the UK

Ben Ainsley - Deputy Trade Commissioner (HMTC) – Africa, Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

H.E. Dr Rajeshwar Jeetah - Mauritius High Commissioner to the UK

Hon Sunday Marshall Katung - Senator of Kaduna South, Government of Nigeria

Patricia S Kabuleeta - Minister Counsellor, Trade and Economic Affairs , Government of Uganda

Nashwa (Joy) Saleh - Independent Non Executive Director (INED) & Chair Board Risk & Compliance Committee (BRCC) at United Bank for Africa (UK)

Ololade Adesanya - Managing Director, Global Head of Audit, HSBC

Sara Clancy - Executive Director, Partner Africa

Ben Botes - Group Managing Director, The Caban Group

Matthew Anderson - Chairman of Mauritanian British Business Council (MBBC) & Francophone British Business Council (FBBC)

Freda Isingoma - Senior Fund Manager, Octopus Investments

Dr Blessing Enakimio - CEO, Blé Global

Rashida Abdulai - Senior Associate, DLA Piper

Serigne Mansour GAYE - President, Senegal-UK Chamber of Commerce and Industry-UK Senegal Business Council

Ian Thomas - Managing Director, Crested Crane Connections UK

Itai Michael Choto - International Envoy-Office of the President , Republic of Guinea

Laurence Robertson - Board Member, British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (BECC)

Gbite Oduneye - Managing Partner and Investor, ODBA

Veronica Bolton Smith - CEO, Critical Minerals Africa Group

Malebogo Kote - Director of International Business, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)

Michael Hugman - Lead Economist and Global Director, Climate at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

Tommie Edwards - Co-Founder & CEO, Tech1M.AI

Dr. Benjamin Addom - Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda at The Commonwealth Secretariat

Augustine Makoni - Chief Financial Officer, The Private Infrastructure Development Group

Michaelle Kubwimana - CEO, Founder at Rwanda Business UK

Meryl Wingfield - Director, Environment & Social at British International Investment (BII)

Yashnath Issur - CEO - Nxtra Africa, Airtel Africa

Anna Carson-Parker - Head of Operations, Grow London Global , London & Partners

BECOME A SPONSOR

We have multiple opportunities for companies and businesses to showcase their product and services, enhance brand awareness and connect with new clients/customers. Please contact us at info@african-chamber.com for more.

For enquiries, to express interest to become a speaker at our events or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@african-chamber.com

Learn more and sign up for AfBC Membership, visit www. african-chamber.com/membership.