"Driving India-Africa Collaboration to New Horizons"
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President, Govt of India to inaugurate the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave on “Creating One Future”
Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India to Address Trade Ministers’ Session
6 Heads of State and 40 Ministers from Africa Expected to Participate
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice President, Republic of India would be the Chief Guest for the 19th India Africa Business Conclave on “Creating One Future”. The Conclave is organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
Six Heads of State from Africa will be present, viz H.E. Mr Prosper Bazombanza, Hon’ble Vice President, Republic of Burundi; H.E. Mr. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Hon’ble Vice-President, Republic of Equatorial Guinea; H.E. Mr. Muhammad B.S. Jallow, Hon’ble Vice-President, Republic of The Gambia; H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Hon’ble Vice President, Republic of Liberia; H.E. Mr. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon, Hon’ble Vice President, Republic of Mauritius; and H.E. Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Hon’ble Vice-President, Republic of Zimbabwe.
Mr Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, will address a special plenary with African trade ministers.
As many as 52 senior Ministers from Africa are traveling to India to take part in the annual convention. The sessions are expected to be attended by over 1100 international delegates from 65 countries out of which 47 are African nations.
Poised to be a landmark event in the evolving India-Africa relationship and leveraging the Global South Cooperation, the 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave promises to strengthen ties, deepen cooperation and explore new avenues for partnership in various sectors.
Africa has been one of the world’s fastest-growing regions over the past decade, with an estimated USD 6.7 trillion worth of consumer and business spending. With Africa’s resurgence as a rapidly growing economy, Indian industry must engage closely with the continent across multiple domains. Trade between India and Africa has grown from USD 68.5 billion in 2011-12 to USD 83.34 billion in 2023-24, making India Africa’s third-largest trading partner.
This year, the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave is being held on 20-22 August in New Delhi under the theme of, "Creating One Future". With a focus on critical areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and technology, the Conclave aims to identify opportunities for collaboration that can drive growth and development.
An exhibition is also being organised alongside where more than 56 exhibitors from India and Africa will showcase their products and services and more than 600 B2B meetings are scheduled.
The Conclave will also explore the potential of the digital economy, innovation, and technology transfer. With India's expertise in IT and digital services, and Africa's burgeoning tech landscape, there are immense opportunities for collaboration in areas such as fintech, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems. Infrastructure development will be a focal point of the Conclave, with discussions on how India and Africa can work together to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Other areas that will be explored via discussions during the conclave include food security, enhancing global value chains, energy security and sustainable transition in Africa, human capital growth and healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
The Conclave will feature high-level plenary sessions, sectoral roundtables, business-to-business meetings, and exhibitions, offering participants numerous opportunities to network, collaborate, and explore new avenues for partnership.
As the world looks towards the next decade, the India-Africa partnership is set to play a crucial role in shaping the global economic order. The 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave will not only highlight the strength of the relationship but will also set the stage for future collaborations that will benefit both regions.
19 August 2024
New Delhi