The UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit

On 12 September 2025, The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place in London will host the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit. The event is expected to attract 300+ senior delegates, including government ministers, business leaders, DFI executives, diaspora investors, and other institutional partners committed to deepening UK–Africa trade and investment ties.

Under the theme “Advancing the UK–Africa–India Tri-Lateral Market Corridor,” this year’s summit focuses on East Africa’s growth potential. It will showcase scalable projects and investment pipelines spanning infrastructure, energy, agriculture, climate finance, and digital trade. East Africa is undergoing a transformation – driven by rising consumer markets, infrastructure upgrades, fintech adoption, and green energy transitions – and the UK remains a key strategic partner in this journey.

???? Summit Highlights & Key Themes

Key topics on the agenda include:

• UK Market Entry for African Firms: Practical support and pathways for African companies expanding into UK and EU markets.
• Blended Finance for Infrastructure & Clean Energy: Innovative financing solutions combining public and private capital to fund roads, power grids, renewable energy projects, and more.
• Private Equity & Pension Funds for Growth: Leveraging private equity, venture capital, and African pension funds to drive regional business expansion.
• Digital Trade & Platforms: How e-commerce, fintech, and logistics platforms are accelerating UK–Africa SME trade and reducing supply chain frictions.
• Agri-Value Chains Linked to UK Buyers: Developing agriculture and agritech projects that connect East African producers to UK consumer and wholesale markets.

UK investors will gain direct access to vetted projects and regional investment incentives, while African companies can forge partnerships to scale their businesses into the UK and Europe.

One highlight of the program is a Country Spotlight: Uganda session (co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament) that will unpack Uganda’s latest investment incentives, export diversification efforts, and agribusiness innovations — offering UK partners a closer look at high-opportunity sectors in Uganda.

Another featured discussion, “Digital Finance & Fintech Innovation – Scaling Inclusive Finance in East Africa,” will explore how mobile platforms, blockchain, and fintech partnerships can expand affordable financial services for SMEs and under-banked communities. Panelists including Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba (Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda), fintech innovators Abdul Kasoma (CEO, Exquisite Solution Ltd) and Badru Ntege (Director, NFT Consult), and Julius Kakeeto (CEO, PostBank Uganda) will share successes from digital lending and payment initiatives. For instance, one showcased pilot has reduced SME trade-finance transaction times from 14 days to just 2 days using blockchain, while another initiative has leveraged rural post offices and mobile banking to boost local account access by 45% in a single year.

The summit will also feature a high-level Keynote Address by Prof. Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of The Commonwealth, outlining a vision for closer trilateral cooperation between the UK, East Africa, and India. Additional panels will tackle topics such as climate capital and carbon markets – highlighting green bonds, carbon removal projects, and climate-smart infrastructure. A special presentation on Uganda’s coffee industry by Nelson Tugume (CEO, Inspire Africa Group) will demonstrate opportunities in agro-processing and export value addition.

To cap the event, select delegates will be welcomed at a special networking luncheon at the UK Parliament (hosted by Lord Rami Ranger on 13 September), underscoring the high-level support for strengthening UK–Africa business ties.

???? High-Level Delegations & Speakers

A high-level business delegation from Uganda, led by executives from Absa Bank Uganda Ltd, will be in attendance — comprising prominent bankers, entrepreneurs, and government advisors seeking partnerships and financing opportunities. This delegation reflects the summit’s growing role in matching capital with opportunity and connecting East African firms with UK investors, buyers, and diaspora networks.

Overall, the roster of distinguished speakers and panellists includes:

• Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia – Chairman, Ruparelia Group (Uganda/U.K.)
• Karim Fatehi OBE – Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
• Lord Dolar Popat – UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda & Rwanda; Member of the House of Lords
• Lord Rami Ranger – Member of the House of Lords (U.K.) & Entrepreneur
• Hon. Matia Kasaija – Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
• Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga – 1st Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for East African Community Affairs, Uganda
• Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa – Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda
• Hon. Amos Lugoloobi – State Minister for Finance, Planning & Economic Development, Uganda
• Dr. Monica Musenero – Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uganda
• Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba – Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda (and Economic Transformation Consultant)
• Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi – Permanent Secretary & Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Uganda

(and many other senior executives, innovators, and officials)

These experts will share insights on topics ranging from macroeconomic policy and anti-corruption frameworks, to entrepreneurship, banking innovation, and trade facilitation.

???? Who Should Attend

The summit is designed for stakeholders across the business, finance, and development landscape. Confirmed attendees and networking participants include:

• ???? Investors, Venture Capitalists & Private Equity Firms
  
• ???? Business Leaders, CEOs & Founders
  
• ????️ Infrastructure Advisors & Project Financiers
  
• ???? Development Experts & Policy Strategists
  
• ???? DFIs (Development Finance Institutions) & International Funding Agencies
  
• ????️ Government Ministers & Senior Officials
  
• ???? African Diaspora Entrepreneurs & Investors
  
• ???? Agri-Tech & Agribusiness Innovators
  
• ???? Business Development & Sales Executives
  
• ???? Financial Institutions & Banking Representatives
  
• ???? Consultants & Market Analysts
  
• ???? Media, PR & Communication Strategists

This diverse mix of participants creates a unique platform for B2B matchmaking, public–private dialogue, and knowledge exchange. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in investor “speed-dating” sessions, roundtable discussions, and structured networking breaks throughout the day.

???? Key Sectors in Focus

Reflecting the breadth of opportunity in Africa’s emerging markets, the forum will cover a wide range of industries, including:

• ⛽ Oil & Gas
  
• ???? Minerals & Mining
  
• ???? Agriculture & Agri-Tech
  
• ????️ Infrastructure Development
  
• ???? Manufacturing & Industrialisation
  
• ???? Renewable Energy & Climate Solutions
  
• ???? Tourism & Hospitality
  
• ???? ICT, Fintech & Digital Transformation
  
• ???? Banking & Financial Services

From traditional sectors like oil, gas, and mining to high-growth areas such as renewables, fintech, and agritech, the summit will highlight investment-ready projects and partnerships. Special emphasis will be placed on climate-smart solutions (clean energy, sustainable agriculture, carbon markets) and digital innovation as drivers of future growth in East Africa.

Learn More – https://ukafricabusinesssummit.uk/uk-africa-business-summit-2025-to-spotlight-african-investment-cross-border-partnerships-and-uk-market-entry-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com