Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Africa Economic Leadership Council will hold a three-day Invest in Africa Trade Expo and business summit at Swakopmund from 28 to 30 May.
Co-founder and president Heinrich Hafeni, whose company Hafeni Tourism Group is organising the event, says the purpose of the expo and summit is to connect and nurture partnerships among African entrepreneurs and businesses.
He says those who are expected to attend the conference are investment promotion boards from African countries, including Southern African Development Community member states like Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.
They will unpack business opportunities in Namibia as members of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
They also aim to host delegates consisting of governmental officials, ambassadors and business owners from Africa and the world at large.
“This is in line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which is meant to strengthen inter-African trade and further develop the continent’s economic standing within the world market,” Hafeni says.
He says among the topics lined up for discussion are the opportunities stemming from the oil and gas sector in Namibia, natural resources and minerals beneficiation, small and medium enterprises funding, and cross-border financing.
Hafeni says the main achievements of the non-profit organisation he founded is raising awareness among African businesses of opportunities that exist on the continent through exhibitions and advocacy.
“Our main message to businesses is that Africa is open for business with a potential market of 1.3 billion people.
“We exist to redefine how African entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and scale across borders – building a united, self-sustaining continental economy,” he says.
Hafeni says this aligns with the African Union’s business vision of seeking to raise intra-Africa trade from 20% to above 50% by 2063.
He appeals to Namibian businesses to strengthen partnerships and for banks and other private institutions to support entrepreneurs.
A number of companies, including Rössing and Swakop Uranium, have pledged support for the event.
Hafeni says the three-day event will include a business conference for networking and business-to-business dialogue, the Intra-Africa Tourism Expo for the hospitality sector, and the Africa Day dinner for celebration and recognition.
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