The ninth annual Africa Debate will convene on the 11th of May in London, under the theme of Catalysing the Continent’s Trade Potential. The Africa Debate is London’s leading Africa-focused business forum.
The 2023 forum will focus on the continent’s trade profile in the wake of COVID-19 and a multitude of global economic shocks, with speakers discussing and debating the future of African trade. Headline speakers include H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation; Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Africa; Michelle Chivunga N, Digital Trade Expert for the AfCFTA; and Hanan Sakr, Head, Private Sector Engagement, COP28 UAE; among other leaders from government and private enterprise.
Africa’s trade outlook is at a crossroads, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the global economic slowdown, and rising protectionism paint a challenging picture, affecting demand for certain African exports and exacerbating structural barriers to trade. Karen Taylor, CEO, of Invest Africa said “The Africa Debate 2023 will bring together key stakeholders driving Africa’s trade growth, including Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat H.E. Wamkele Mene to provide an update on the progress of the Agreement following the recent Forum in Cape Town in March.”
Ahead of the Africa Debate, Invest Africa will host a Zambia Investor Forum with H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and his ministerial delegation on the 10th of May in London. This follows a successful Invest Africa Trade Mission to the country earlier this year.
The half-day forum will provide an opportunity for President Hichilema to reinforce the message that Zambia is “open for business” and highlight the country’s priorities and areas of opportunity for investment. This will be followed by presentations from key Ministries including Commerce, Trade & Industry; Energy; Finance, and Mines and Minerals Development.
