09:00 | Welcome Remarks: Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa

09:15 I Country Spotlight: H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia

10:00 | Fireside Chat with H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area and Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation in conversation with Rt. Hon. Mark Simmonds, Former Minister for Africa & Chairman of Invest Africa Advisory Board

10:45 | Networking Break

11:15 | Welcome Remarks: Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons, City of London Corporation

11:20 | Keynote Address: Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

11:35 | Debate: African Trade: The Key to Boosting Industrialisation on the Continent

There has long existed an imbalance in Africa’s trade relations with the rest of the world. While the continent’s trade volume has increased over time, its trading relationships remain asymmetrical, with Africa mostly exporting basic commodities and importing manufactured goods. In this panel, speakers will discuss and debate the best path forward to accelerate the continent’s industrialisation, advance regional value chains, and remedy Africa’s trade imbalance with the rest of the world.

Dr Christopher Marks, Managing Director & Head of Emerging Markets, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (Moderator)

Dolika Banda, Chairperson, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc

Dr Carlos Lopes, Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

Solomon Quaynor, Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure &Industrialisation, African Development Bank

Dinesh Rathi, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Free Zone

12:30 I Lunch

13:30 | Africa in the Global Economy: Challenges and Opportunities - Robert Hutchinson, Partner, Africa, Control Risks

From supply chain disruptions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the lingering effects of COVID-19 to business and consumer price pressures, 2023 is sure to bring a multitude of challenges and opportunities to Africa. However, the continent is perhaps better placed to avoid an economic slump than in previous years – boosted by strong global commodity prices and continent-wide economic integration efforts. This presentation will unpack the major trends facing Africa in 2023.

13:45 I Debate: Building a Comprehensive Digital Trade Strategy for Africa  

Despite tremendous advancements in digital trade and e-commerce across Africa in recent years, the continent remains constrained by inadequate digital infrastructure, limited internet access, and high costs associated with digital services, among other challenges. An effective digital trade strategy could have multiple benefits for the continent's trade profile, including empowering small and medium-sized enterprises with access to new markets and customers and stimulating economic growth by promoting cross-border trade and investment. 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its e-commerce protocol -- negotiations on which are ongoing -- could help in this regard, providing a framework for the harmonisation of digital trade policies, reducing regulatory barriers, and improving digital infrastructure. In this session, our speakers will debate the best path forward for a digital trade strategy for the continent, focusing in part on the 7th protocol of the AfCFTA on e-commerce.

Michelle Chivunga N, Digital Trade Expert for AfCFTA and Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Global Policy House (Moderator)

Wayne Hennessy-Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, 4G Capital

Peter Njonjo, Chief Executive Officer, Twiga Foods

Alex Okosi, Managing Director, YouTube EMEA, Emerging Markets, YouTube

Toulay Oueslati, Head of Trade Finance & Commodity Trade Finance, Bank of Africa United Kingdom

Hardy Pemhiwa, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Cassava Technologies

14:45 I Debate: Embracing ESG in African Trade

From the expanding web of ESG regulatory initiatives to the spread of international finance taxonomies to the surge in government efforts to drive private capital and public funds to sustainable development initiatives, the ESG landscape is changing across Africa. Implications for African trade are significant, with the continent’s trading system central to its efforts to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty. In this panel, speakers will discuss and debate the interplay between ESG and African trade and the best way forward for a continental, ESG-embracing trade strategy.

Mikir Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Specialty Risks (Moderator)

Ibukun Adebayo, Group Director - Sustainable Finance & Investment Strategy, The London Stock Exchange Group

Punki Modise, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Absa Bank

Hanan Sakr, Head, Private Sector Engagement, COP28 UAE

Marco Serena, Chief Sustainable Impact Officer, Private Infrastructure Development Group

15:45 | Networking Break

16:00 | Debate: Leveraging Critical Minerals to Advance African Trade

Demographic trends drive the economy. For example, captains of industry like Aliko Dangote built hugely successful enterprises on the strength of the continent’s infrastructure boom. Similarly, the ongoing global surge in demand for critical minerals brings with it opportunities for African corporates to strengthen their presence in critical minerals and metals value chains and, in turn, boost African trade. In this panel, speakers will discuss and debate Africa’s role in the supply of critical minerals, the geopolitics of critical mineral supply chains, and how the continent can strengthen its presence along the critical minerals value chain and build downstream capacity.

Sameh Shenouda, Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation (Moderator)

Tavraj Banga, Partner & Co-Head of Helios Climate, Helios Investment Partners

Andres Blanco, Chief Executive Officer, Xcalibur Multiphysics

Simon Gardner-Bond, Chief Technical Officer, TechMet

Amb. J. Peter Pham, Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council

17:00 | Debate: Investing in Africa’s Future - Unlocking Finance to Drive Trade and Development

Capital flows to African markets reached new highs during the pandemic, but that trajectory looks unlikely to continue with fears of a global recession on the rise and the continent’s sources of external finance increasingly being called into question. What can be done to bolster capital flows to the continent? In this panel, speakers will discuss and debate innovative ways to strengthen Africa’s financial sector to promote growth and trade.

Tokunboh Ishmael, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Alitheia Capital (Moderator)

Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa, British International Investment

Lina Osman, Regional Head - West, Standard Chartered Bank

Francesco Soldi, Head of Relationship Management, Moody’s Investors Service

Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus & Group Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank

18:00 | Close

18:00 | Drinks Reception in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank

Watch highlights from 2022