Organised by The Promota Africa

The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, 2 Whitehall Court London

Turning Dialogue into Action:
Highlights from the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit

Businessman and Life Peer in the House of Lords

Assistant Secretary General, The Commonwealth

Founder, The Sovereign Equity Initiative

Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda

The 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit, held on 12 September 2025 at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London, marked a defining moment in UK–Africa relations — transforming dialogue into tangible business outcomes.

Under the theme “Building Bridges for Sustainable Investment between the UK and Africa,” the Summit brought together ministers, ambassadors, CEOs, and investors from eleven nations, fostering collaboration across renewable energy, industrialisation, digital trade, and infrastructure development.

Keynotes from Lord Dolar Popat (UK House of Lords), Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa (Minister of Energy, Uganda), and Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba (Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda) reaffirmed Africa’s transformation from aid dependency to investment partnership — grounded in reform, resilience, and responsible finance.

“Reforms are in motion, infrastructure is improving, and trade ties are strengthening. The moment for partnership is now.” — Lord Dolar Popat

Among the high-profile participants was Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, one of Africa’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, whose remarkable journey — leaving the UK decades ago with just £8,000 and now returning with investments exceeding $1.6 billion — epitomises the Summit’s vision of reinvestment and diaspora-driven development.

Other notable attendees included Mr Preet Singh Chauhan, CEO of Preet EPC Pvt. Ltd. / Preet Group, a global leader in steel technology and industrial engineering; Dr Kalpesh Patel, CEO of Steelmakers Ltd, one of East Africa’s largest steel producers; and Mr Majid Mangalji, President of Westmont Hospitality Group, which owns and manages over 500 hotels worldwide in partnership with brands such as Hilton, IHG, and Wyndham — reflecting growing investor confidence in Africa’s industrial, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors.

1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Uganda

Former NATO Deputy Commander & Sandhurst Commandant

Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, an economist

High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius

The Summit also welcomed distinguished dignitaries and thought leaders, including Lt Gen Peter Pearson CB CBE (Former NATO Deputy Commander and Commandant, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst), Lord Rami Ranger CBE (Host of the Grand Silver Service Gala Lunch at the House of Commons), and HH Pujya Shri Sant Trilochan Das Maharaj Ji, Honourary Guest of Honour — each underscoring the Summit’s blend of diplomacy, leadership, and shared prosperity.

Supported by Absa Bank Uganda, PostBank Uganda, NSSF Uganda, and Inspire Africa Group, the Summit highlighted Uganda’s model for green growth, sustainable industrialisation, and inclusive finance as a pathway for regional transformation.

Managing Director, PostBank
Uganda Ltd

Corporate Banking Director, Absa Bank Uganda Ltd

CEO, Exquisite Solution (BPO & Digital Services)

Head of Compliance and Operations, Euro Exim Bank Ltd

Key Business Takeaways

🔹 Green & Renewable Energy: Uganda now achieves 95% renewable energy generation — a strong signal for industrial investors.
🔹 Digital Transformation: Fintech, BPO, and AI-led innovation emerged as the new engines of inclusive growth.
🔹 Industrialisation & Value Addition: Expanding opportunities in agro-processing, manufacturing, and mining value chains.
🔹 Finance & Investment Access: UKEF’s £2.5B facility and PostBank’s digital inclusion reforms are boosting UK–Africa capital flows.
🔹 Diaspora & SME Empowerment: Stronger collaboration between private sector actors, diaspora investors, and UK chambers of commerce.

Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Africa Group

Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Tourism Board

Minister of Trade and Industry

Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Uganda

We were honoured by the presence of His Holiness Pujya Shri Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji, whose spiritual leadership reminded delegates that true progress must go beyond economic success. His message urged leaders to balance prosperity with purpose — blending financial achievement with ethics, unity, and service to humanity.

Spiritual Presence That Attracted Global Leaders

His Holiness’s participation drew a high-profile delegation of billionaires and international business leaders, reflecting the growing intersection of faith and enterprise.

Chief Investment Officer, the National Social Security Fund UG

High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the UK

Chief, Directorate of Immigration Control Uganda

Head, Uganda’s Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU)

Delegates reflection on the UK–Africa Investment Summit

Chief Engineer, Namukekera Industrial Park

MD, Nation Media Group Uganda | Monitor Publications

Founder and Chairman of The Promota Africa Group and the UK–Africa Summit

Session Theme: Extractives as Engines for Sustainable Development
Explore how Africa’s vast oil, gas, and critical mineral reserves — particularly in countries like the DRC, Uganda, and Tanzania — are being repositioned for value addition, green transition supply chains, and infrastructure-driven economic growth. Dialogue will focus on local beneficiation, ESG compliance, and strategic UK–Africa energy partnerships.

Session Theme: Green Energy for Inclusive Growth
This session will spotlight investment-ready projects in solar, hydro, wind, and clean cooking technologies. Speakers will explore how energy access, climate adaptation, and green financing intersect to build resilient economies and power Africa’s rural and industrial transformation.

Session Theme: Digital Africa: Scaling Innovation & Financial Inclusion
Dive into Africa’s booming fintech sector, digital trade enablement, e-government, and cross-border payment systems. Discussions will cover the role of AI, blockchain, open banking, and inclusive finance models in accelerating regional economic integration and empowering SMEs.

Session Theme: Africa’s Manufacturing Renaissance
Explore how governments and private sector players are driving industrial policy, building special economic zones, and catalysing local production capacity. Case studies from Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda will showcase scalable models for light manufacturing, agro-processing, and export-oriented industrialisation.

Session Theme: Smart Agriculture & Food Systems Innovation
This session will examine opportunities in agribusiness value chains, agri-tech platforms, and regional food security strategies. Leaders will share how technology, investment, and market access are transforming farming from subsistence to scalable, export-ready enterprises—empowering youth, women, and rural economies.

Session Theme: Building Future-Proof Cities & Trade Corridors
From roads and industrial parks to smart cities and ports, infrastructure is key to Africa’s industrial transformation. This session will focus on bankable projects, PPP models, and financing tools that are unlocking infrastructure investment across East Africa and beyond.

 📥 Download here: UK–Africa Summit 2025 Report (PDF)

In closing, we are pleased to share the Post-Summit Report showcasing the breadth of industries represented at the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit 2025.

This year’s Summit united leaders and professionals from across Finance & Investment, Renewable Energy & Sustainability, Agriculture & Agribusiness, Infrastructure & Engineering, Banking & Financial Services, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, Healthcare, Fintech, Manufacturing, Education & Training, Real Estate, Media & Communications, Technology & Innovation, Trade & Logistics, and Government & Public Sector.

To learn more about the Summit’s highlights and outcomes, please visit our official website at www.ukafricabusinesssummit.uk.

If you wish to connect with delegates from a specific industry or request a sector-based contact list, we welcome you to reach out to our team — we’ll be delighted to facilitate introductions and support ongoing collaboration.

Mr. Willy Mutenza, Founder and Chairman of The Promota Africa Group and the UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit, was honoured at a luncheon at the House of Commons, hosted by Lord Rami Ranger, CBE — Host of the Grand Silver Service Gala Lunch — where he received the World Book of Records Certificate of Excellence 2025 for outstanding leadership in UK–Africa relations and social impact.

The recognition celebrates over two decades of Mr. Mutenza’s work in diaspora engagement, community development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive trade promotion. Reflecting on the award, Mr. Mutenza described it as “a celebration of collective progress — of communities working together across cultures to build bridges of opportunity and shared prosperity.” His recognition (UID No.: WIX74279) reaffirms a lifelong commitment to strengthening UK–Africa partnerships and promoting sustainable, people-centred development through The Promota Africa Group.

Mr. Mutenza extended special appreciation to Mahendrasinh C. Jadeja for his steadfast support, friendship, and continued commitment to advancing UK–Africa cooperation and community empowerment.

Yours sincerely,

👤 Bart Stern
🎯 Director of Partnerships

🇬🇧 UK–Africa Business Summit | UCUK
📧 bart.stern@africauksummit.uk
📞 +44 7459 938146 | +44 7868 855951

📅2026 Edition: 16th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit
Venue: The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London
Date: 11 September 2026
🎟️ Register: africauksummit.uk

Backed by global expertise: Our event sponsors and partners