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Our Chief Executive, Rosie Glazebrook, recently led a delegation of CWEIC Strategic Partners to India for a packed itinerary that included two conferences, official meetings with ministers, site visits, and more. We were also pleased to formally exchange and MoU with the Confederation of Indian Industry to progress the development of a CWEIC India Hub.

Delegates attended the 19th CII India – Africa Business Conclave which, since its inception in 2005, has emerged as one of the largest congregations of senior ministers, policy makers and business leaders from Africa and India, cutting across sectors. This year was no different, with over 40 Ministers in attendance.

On the sidelines of the Conclave, the delegation was honoured to meet with The Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Shri Piyush Goyal, as well as a Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Industries and Commerce Minister for the State of Rajasthan. CWEIC was pleased to report on the launch of the India Hub and the opportunities this will bring our Strategic Partners, especially in the financial, education, and technology sectors.

Whilst attending the India – Africa Conclave, the delegation was pleased to meet with African Ministers who had travelled, including the Malawi Minister of Trade and Industry, The Honourable Sosten Gwengwe, MP, pictured below.

Glazebrook was also pleased to meet with our Strategic Partner and Chair of the CWEIC East and Central Africa Hub, Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group.

Comprising a three-day programme the 19th CII India – Africa Business Conclave provided delegates with ample opportunities to engage with varied key figures from the business and government sectors.

Glazebrook delivered a powerful address at a Special Session on “Business Opportunities for Private Sector Expansion in Africa,” underscoring CWEIC’s pivotal role in unlocking trade potential. She highlighted how CWEIC harnesses its global hub network and convening power to break down barriers, fueling private sector growth in untapped markets.

Notably, CWEIC’s high-profile events, including the Commonwealth Business Forum and Trade and Investment Summit, serve as critical platforms to reduce trade obstacles and streamline business operations.

She was joined on the panel by:

• H.E. Mr. Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Affairs in charge of the Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Republic of Cameroon
• H.E. Mr. Louis Kabamba Watum, Minister of Industry and Development of SMEs and SMIs, Democratic Republic of Congo
• H.E. Mr. Yahya Elwathik Bellah, Deputy Minister and Chairman, Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS)

Glazebrook also participated in the CEO Roundtable where industry leaders convened under the chairmanship of Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata International, and Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group, both CWEIC Strategic Partners. Adding a fresh perspective, Adesuwa Ladoja, the newly appointed CEO of CWEIC Strategic Partner Lagos Free Zone, contributed significantly to the conversations. Discussions centred on innovative strategies to strengthen collaboration between Africa and India. Leaders exchanged diverse viewpoints on developing this crucial trade corridor, aiming to unlock unprecedented opportunities for economic growth.

A pivotal moment during the visit to India was the official MoU exchange between CWEIC and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during the Valedictory Session which concluded the Conclave. This exchange marks a significant milestone for CWEIC as it solidifies its commitment to expanding its presence in India with the establishment of an official hub. Rosie Glazebrook and Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, exchanged official documentation in the presence of an esteemed panel of global leaders.

The distinguished panel included several vice-presidents from across Africa and key Indian officials, underscoring the importance of the event. Among the dignitaries were:

• H.E. Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Vice-President of Zimbabwe
• H.E. Mr. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon, Vice-President of Mauritius
• H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice-President of Liberia
• H.E. Mr. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea
• H.E. Mr. Prosper Bazombanza, Vice-President of Burundi
• H.E. Mr. Muhammad B.S. Jallow, Vice-President of The Gambia

Indian officials in attendance included:

• Mr. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Education
• Mr. Dammu Ravi, Secretary for Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs
• Mr. Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

This signing not only solidified the CWEIC-CII partnership but also set the stage for enhanced collaboration between India and Africa, creating an invaluable platform for future trade and investment growth.

At the conclusion of the three-day conclave, delegates had the opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art R&D facility of CWEIC Strategic Partner, Panacea Biotec. This visit offered an in-depth look at the cutting-edge work being done to develop critical vaccines addressing global health challenges. Panacea Biotec’s team provided valuable insights into their groundbreaking research, showcasing how they are spearheading innovations that have the potential to shape the future of healthcare.

On the final day of the visit, CWEIC played an active role in the inaugural ASSOCHAM – Commonwealth Champions Summit. CWEIC’s Strategic Partners took center stage as speakers, engaging with numerous ASSOCHAM members to deepen relationships and explore areas of mutual interest. During the summit, Rosie Glazebrook, Chief Executive of CWEIC, emphasized how CWEIC leverages its convening power to foster collaboration between Indian businesses and their counterparts across Africa, spanning multiple sectors. A key highlight of the event was a dedicated session focused on opportunities in Cameroon, led by the IPA Director General, shedding light on the country’s investment potential.

CWEIC delegation’s visit to India marked a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between India and Africa, with a focus on expanding business opportunities and collaboration across multiple sectors. The collaboration with both the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and ASSOCHAM has been pivotal, as we see these organisations as vital partners in fostering deeper economic ties and facilitating trade between the regions. We extend our sincere thanks to CII and ASSOCHAM for their excellent