THE RATIONALE:

The UK has traditionally been the largest trade and investment partner of Africa taken on a continental basis, measured by both volumes and values. This is primarily the result of the historic ties between the two, with the United Kingdom, France and Portugal having colonized most of Africa in centuries past, but the UK having left the most promising economic legacy which has resulted in its former colonies now comprising most of the biggest sovereign economic jurisdictions on the continent.

But the changing structure of the global economy has opened new vistas of opportunity in part because of the liberalization of sovereign African economic jurisdictions, the emergence of new areas of economic opportunity and the changing terms of engagement between the Africa and the UK which have been significantly shaped by the latter’s exit from the European Union (Brexit). Most importantly opportunities are being created for a new generation of enterprises and institutions beyond the traditional ones – mostly multinationals - that have dominated trade and investment between the two regions over the decades; but whom have been largely excluded from the structured platforms which serve as fulcrums to maximize the exploitation of such intercontinental trade and investment opportunities.

The impending conference and awards aim to provide the requisite structured platform for actual and potential trade and investment counterparties and partners, along with their activity facilitators and regulators, business support service providers, policy makers and other stakeholders to convene, identify opportunities and the means to exploit them optimally. The awards themselves seek to encourage exemplary performance, and just as importantly identify potential exemplary entrants into the Africa - UK trade and investment space and connect them to supply and value chains.

THE THEME
“ Expanding trade and investment relationships between Africa and the UK.”