Programme

09:00     Welcome Remarks

• Karen Taylor, Executive Chair, Invest Africa

09:05 Opening Remarks

• Sanjeev Gupta, Advisory Board Member, Invest Africa

• Mohamed Eidha Tanaf Al Menhali, Regional CEO, AD Ports Group

09:15     Keynote Address: H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, United Arab Emirates

09:30     One Year On: The UAE’s $4.5 Billion Climate Commitment to Africa

In this session, speakers will discuss UAE-Africa cooperation in clean energy, focusing on the UAE Government and AMEA Power’s strategic initiatives to unlock Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, close the continent’s renewable energy gap, and channel critical climate finance to the region. The discussion will lay the foundation for in-depth dialogues on UAE-supported clean energy projects, highlighting the UAE’s enduring commitment to Africa’s sustainable development and its vision for a greener, more resilient future. 

• H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Credit Insurance

• Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman, AMEA Power

• Omar Saif, Director of International Partnerships, Global Climate Finance Centre, ADGM

10:30     Networking Break           

11:00     Expert Overview: Trends and Opportunities in UAE-Africa Trade

In this session, our guest speaker will deliver a comprehensive overview of the UAE and broader Gulf-Africa trade and investment relationship. The presentation will highlight key trends and emerging opportunities that investors and corporates should prioritise in 2024 and beyond.

• Tom Griffin, Partner, Control Risks

11:15     Closing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap: Unlocking Sustainable Growth and Global Opportunities

Africa’s infrastructure deficit—spanning energy, transport, and digital connectivity— costs businesses up to 40% more in operational expenses and the continent up to 2% of annual GDP growth. However, the continent’s vast natural resources and youthful population offer real potential for growth, particularly as global supply chains shift and green energy solutions gain traction. In this session, speakers will discuss the pivotal infrastructure projects that can reshape Africa’s economic future, the role of cutting-edge technology in building sustainable infrastructure, and how strategic investments can close the gap, drive down costs, and position Africa as a key player in the global economy.

• Dr. Ismaeil Al Zarooni, Vice President, Technical Services, Engineering & Technical Services Division, AD Ports Group

• Rene Awambeng, Founder & Managing Partner, Premier Invest

• Cheryl Buss, Chief Executive Officer, Absa International & Absa Securities UK

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

• Nacim Bounouara, Partner, DLA Piper (moderator)

12:00     The UAE’s Strategic Role in Africa's Ports Development: Spotlight on AD Ports Group

12:30     Networking Lunch

13:30 Bridging Continents: The Future of the UAE-Africa Strategic Partnership

• H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, United Arab Emirates

13:45 Africa: The Next Global Renewable Energy Hub?

Africa possesses a staggering 39% of the world’s renewable energy potential, with an estimated 310 GW of capacity projected by 2030. Yet, despite this vast resource base—including abundant solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy—investment in African renewables remains disproportionately low, with the continent receiving only 2% of global clean energy investment.

In this session, speakers will explore how to bridge the investment gap and drive Africa’s clean energy future. Key topics will include harnessing UAE-Africa partnerships to improve infrastructure for renewable energy transmission, innovative strategies and financial instruments required to unlock essential funding for the sector, and the importance of developing robust investment frameworks and policies.

• Safiatou Alzouma, Special Advisor, Energy Transition, Climate, Green Industrialization, International Renewable Energy Agency

• Basma Bentaher, Chief Development Officer, AMEA Power

• Sabine Dall'Omo, Chief Executive Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, Siemens

• Banji Fehintola, Executive Director, Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation

• Mustafa Rawji, Chief Executive Officer, Rawbank 

• Frances-Yvonne Igweh, Partner, Head of Energy & Natural Resources in Europe, Middle East and Africa, BSA Law (moderator)

14:30     Elevating Africa’s Global Trade: Spotlight on BII and DP World

Africa, with over 17% of the world’s population, currently handles just 4% of global container trade. The continent’s economic potential is held back by outdated ports and inefficient logistics.

This session will explore the partnership between British International Investment and DP World—a collaboration aimed at modernising and expanding critical African ports, boosting trade capacity, and enhancing access to international markets. Speakers will discuss the transformative impact of upgraded port infrastructure on regional economies, highlighting how improved logistics can drive local business growth, create jobs, and elevate living standards across the continent.

• Gaurav Khanna, CFO, Sub-Saharan Africa, DP World

• Sherine Shohdy, Head of Egypt & Regional Director, North Africa, British International Investment

• Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, Forbes Africa (moderator)

15:00     Networking Break

15:30 Keynote Address: H.E. Prof. Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Republic of Zimbabwe

15:45     Harnessing Digital Trade for Inclusive Growth: Spotlight on UK-UAE-Africa Partnerships

Digital technologies hold immense potential to drive social and economic empowerment globally by dismantling trade barriers, improving equitable access to finance and information, and broadening market opportunities.

This session will explore how the UK, the UAE, and African partners are working in tandem to leverage digital trade to unlock new avenues for collaboration, drive sustainable development, and stimulate inclusive growth across the continents.

• Mike Ogbalu III, Chief Executive Officer, Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, African Export-Import Bank

• Jamila Saidi, Head of Digital Commerce & Digital Exporting Programme, UK Department for Business and Trade

16:15 Tech and Agribusiness in the UAE-Africa Trade Corridor

The UAE has long relied on imports to meet its food needs, with around 90% of its supply sourced from abroad. As the global food landscape faces mounting challenges—from climate change to geopolitical unrest—the country is intensifying its efforts to secure and sustain its food supply, with Africa set to play a pivotal role. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and making strategic investments, the UAE is transitioning from a major food importer to a key player in the global food system.

In this session, speakers will explore the dynamic interplay of technology, innovation, and agribusiness within the UAE-Africa trade corridor. Discussions will focus on the role of agritech in bolstering food security, highlighting innovations such as AI-driven agriculture, vertical farming, and sustainable water management that are revolutionising food production in both the Gulf and Africa. The panel will also examine the UAE and wider Gulf investments in Africa’s agrifood sector, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie at the intersection of technology and agribusiness.

• Constantin von Moltke, Director Syndications and Risk Distribution, Afreximbank

• Monique Gieskes, Chief Executive Officer, Plantations et Huileries du Congo

• Vinodanand Jha, Chief Information and Technology Officer, Arise

• Ramesh Moochikal, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Improved Foods

• Smita Sanghrajka, Engagement Partner, Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity (moderator)

17:15 Debate: Sustainable Finance Strategies in the UAE-Africa Corridor

In recent years, the UAE has solidified its position as a global leader in sustainable finance. Its banking sector has been pivotal in financing everything from renewable energy to green buildings and developing new sustainable finance products, such as green loans and sustainability-linked bonds, to catalyse sustainable development across sectors. This commitment to sustainability extends to UAE-Africa commercial relations, exemplified by Abu Dhabi's recent pledge to purchase $450 million in African carbon credits by 2030. In this session, speakers will explore strategies for aligning sustainable finance between the UAE and African partners to maximise impact, as well as effective financial instruments for driving sustainable development and address key obstacles that hinder scaling sustainable finance initiatives and mobilising capital within the UAE-Africa corridor.

• Ziad Abaza, Partner, Development Partners International 

• Jarred Glansbeek, Executive Director, Chief Investment Officer, RisCura

• Akshay Grover, Chief Executive Officer, Amadi

• Lina Osman, Managing Director & Head of Sustainable Finance, Africa & MENAP, Standard Chartered

• Alice Usanase, Head, Country Relations and Equity Mobilization, Africa Finance Corporation

• Andrew Bainbridge, Head of Credit Strategies and Partner, Gateway Fund (moderator)

18:00 Closing Remarks