The UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit returns to London this September, bringing ministers, investors, and CEOs together to unlock new opportunities in infrastructure, energy, fintech, agribusiness, and UK–Africa market expansion.
London, UK – On 12 September 2025, The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place in London will host the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit. The event is expected to attract 300+ senior delegates, including government ministers, business leaders, DFI executives, diaspora investors, and other institutional partners committed to deepening UK–Africa trade and investment ties.
Under the theme “Advancing the UK–Africa–India Tri-Lateral Market Corridor,” this year’s summit focuses on East Africa’s growth potential. It will showcase scalable projects and investment pipelines spanning infrastructure, energy, agriculture, climate finance, and digital trade. East Africa is undergoing a transformation – driven by rising consumer markets, infrastructure upgrades, fintech adoption, and green energy transitions – and the UK remains a key strategic partner in this journey.
Key topics on the agenda include:
UK investors will gain direct access to vetted projects and regional investment incentives, while African companies can forge partnerships to scale their businesses into the UK and Europe.
One highlight of the program is a Country Spotlight: Uganda session (co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament) that will unpack Uganda’s latest investment incentives, export diversification efforts, and agribusiness innovations — offering UK partners a closer look at high-opportunity sectors in Uganda.
Another featured discussion, “Digital Finance & Fintech Innovation – Scaling Inclusive Finance in East Africa,” will explore how mobile platforms, blockchain, and fintech partnerships can expand affordable financial services for SMEs and under-banked communities. Panelists including Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba (Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda), fintech innovators Abdul Kasoma (CEO, Exquisite Solution Ltd) and Badru Ntege (Director, NFT Consult), and Julius Kakeeto (CEO, PostBank Uganda) will share successes from digital lending and payment initiatives. For instance, one showcased pilot has reduced SME trade-finance transaction times from 14 days to just 2 days using blockchain, while another initiative has leveraged rural post offices and mobile banking to boost local account access by 45% in a single year.
The summit will also feature a high-level Keynote Address by Prof. Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of The Commonwealth, outlining a vision for closer trilateral cooperation between the UK, East Africa, and India. Additional panels will tackle topics such as climate capital and carbon markets – highlighting green bonds, carbon removal projects, and climate-smart infrastructure. A special presentation on Uganda’s coffee industry by Nelson Tugume (CEO, Inspire Africa Group) will demonstrate opportunities in agro-processing and export value addition.
To cap the event, select delegates will be welcomed at a special networking luncheon at the UK Parliament (hosted by Lord Rami Ranger on 13 September), underscoring the high-level support for strengthening UK–Africa business ties.
A high-level business delegation from Uganda, led by executives from Absa Bank Uganda Ltd, will be in attendance — comprising prominent bankers, entrepreneurs, and government advisors seeking partnerships and financing opportunities. This delegation reflects the summit’s growing role in matching capital with opportunity and connecting East African firms with UK investors, buyers, and diaspora networks.
Overall, the roster of distinguished speakers and panellists includes:
(and many other senior executives, innovators, and officials)
These experts will share insights on topics ranging from macroeconomic policy and anti-corruption frameworks, to entrepreneurship, banking innovation, and trade facilitation.
The summit is designed for stakeholders across the business, finance, and development landscape. Confirmed attendees and networking participants include:
This diverse mix of participants creates a unique platform for B2B matchmaking, public–private dialogue, and knowledge exchange. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in investor “speed-dating” sessions, roundtable discussions, and structured networking breaks throughout the day.
Reflecting the breadth of opportunity in Africa’s emerging markets, the forum will cover a wide range of industries, including:
From traditional sectors like oil, gas, and mining to high-growth areas such as renewables, fintech, and agritech, the summit will highlight investment-ready projects and partnerships. Special emphasis will be placed on climate-smart solutions (clean energy, sustainable agriculture, carbon markets) and digital innovation as drivers of future growth in East Africa.
UK–Africa Business Summit 2025 offers tangible value for delegates on both sides of the partnership. Key reasons to attend:
Organizers expect the summit to yield concrete outcomes – from commitments on new UK–East Africa joint ventures and blended-finance initiatives, to identified flagship projects (especially in Uganda) ready for investment, as well as strengthened professional networks bridging the UK, Africa, and the Commonwealth.
The summit is convened with support from leading institutions that bridge the UK–Africa investment ecosystem, including:
Their participation underscores a shared commitment to fostering sustainable economic development and trade growth across continents.
We look forward to welcoming you to London this September. Together, we’re building a stronger UK–Africa economic corridor – founded on trust, opportunity, and long-term partnership.
Businessman and Conservative Life Peer, House of Lords, UK
Lord Dolar Popat is a businessman, Conservative life peer in the House of Lords, and one of the UK’s most experienced parliamentary voices on UK–Africa trade and investment. Appointed to the House of Lords in 2010, he built a successful career in the hospitality and property sectors before entering public service.
Born in Uganda, Lord Popat brings a personal and strategic understanding of East Africa’s commercial landscape. As a former UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda and Rwanda, with the Democratic Republic of Congo later added to his brief, he has played an important role in strengthening bilateral trade, supporting UK business engagement, and promoting investment-led partnerships across the region.
At the UK–Africa Investment Summit 2026, Lord Popat will share practical insights on deepening UK–Africa trade and investment relations, with a focus on enterprise, private sector growth, market access, and long-term commercial partnerships.
His perspective is especially relevant to discussions on the UK–Africa–India trilateral investment corridor, Uganda’s role as the 2026 Strategic Growth Partner, and the Summit’s focus on moving from access to production, from dialogue to execution, and from interest to bankable outcomes.
A strong advocate for enterprise, education, and stronger UK–Africa economic relations, Lord Popat continues to engage with business leaders, policymakers, investors, and institutions committed to expanding commercially credible partnerships between the UK and African markets.
His contribution to UKAIS 2026 will add depth to conversations on investment diplomacy, private capital mobilisation, regional trade corridors, and the practical conditions required to turn trade ambition into structured investment, industrial partnerships, and deal execution.
$1.6b, leads as Uganda's richest individual
Dr Sudhir Ruparelia
Founder and Chairman, Ruparelia Group
Dr Sudhir Ruparelia is one of East Africa’s most influential entrepreneurs, renowned for building one of Uganda’s largest and most diversified business conglomerates. His journey from exile to success is a powerful story of resilience, vision, and disciplined growth.
Expelled from Uganda with his family during the 1972 Asian exodus, he rebuilt his life in the United Kingdom, working various jobs and venturing into real estate trading. Returning to Kampala in 1985 with $25,000 in savings, he invested in ventures that would grow into a multi-billion-dollar portfolio. Within a decade, he established Uganda’s first licensed forex bureau and later founded Crane Bank, transforming the financial sector by increasing accessibility, extending service hours, and reducing banking costs.
Today, he leads the Ruparelia Group, with investments in banking, insurance, real estate, hospitality, education, media, and floriculture. Landmark enterprises such as Speke Resort & Convention Centre, Kampala Parents School, Meera Investments, and Rosebud Ltd have become national assets. His floriculture companies export over 150 million roses annually to the UK and other markets, meeting the highest Good Agricultural Practice standards.
Dr Ruparelia’s leadership has been marked by resilience, including overcoming the loss of Crane Bank in 2016 and regaining his position through a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2022. Ranked by Forbes among Africa’s wealthiest individuals, he continues to invest with a steadfast belief in Uganda’s and Africa’s long-term potential. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development, cementing his legacy as both a visionary investor and a committed philanthropist.
Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Hon. Matia Kasaija
Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Republic of Uganda
Hon. Matia Kasaija has served as Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development since 2015. He oversees fiscal policy, national budgeting, public investment planning, and economic development strategy, with a focus on accelerating inclusive growth and achieving Uganda’s Vision 2040 goals.
A senior member of Cabinet and Parliament, Hon. Kasaija has played a key role in driving macroeconomic stability, public financial management reforms, and infrastructure financing. Under his leadership, Uganda has implemented major projects in transport, energy, and oil and gas, while maintaining a strong emphasis on debt sustainability and domestic resource mobilisation.
He previously served as State Minister for Finance (Planning and Economic Development) and State Minister for Internal Affairs, bringing over four decades of public service experience. His background includes leadership roles in public administration, political mobilisation, and cooperative development.
Hon. Kasaija holds a degree in Commerce from Makerere University and is known for his pragmatic approach to economic policy and fiscal discipline.
Chief Executive London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Karim Fatehi OBE, Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBC), is expected to share insights on strengthening UK–Africa business linkages, supporting SME growth, and fostering bilateral trade through chamber-to-chamber collaboration. His perspective will highlight the critical role of business networks in enabling market access and driving sustainable commercial partnerships between the UK and Africa.
British entrepreneur & Member of the House of Lords
Lord Rami Ranger is a celebrated British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Member of the House of Lords. Rising from humble beginnings as a refugee to building a business empire, Lord Ranger founded Sun Mark Ltd and Sea Air & Land Forwarding—two award-winning UK export companies with a combined annual turnover exceeding £150 million and operations in over 130 countries.
Honoured eight times by Her Majesty the Queen, including as Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016, Lord Ranger holds a historic record of receiving five consecutive Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. His influence spans business, diplomacy, and community leadership—as Patron of the Conservative Friends of India, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, and Fellow of The Prince’s Trust.
He is also a champion of education, having donated millions to British universities, student entrepreneurship centres, and public memorials, including the Gandhi statue at Parliament Square.
Lord Ranger brings unmatched insight into global trade, diaspora leadership, and public service—anchored in values of integrity, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Senior Presidential Advisor at State House
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Republic of Uganda Speaker, Mining and Energy Session Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu is a senior Ugandan political leader, former Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, and private-sector businesswoman with extensive experience across energy policy, mineral development, public leadership and investment-facing reform. As Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, she played a central role in shaping Uganda’s energy and minerals agenda during one of the country’s most important transition periods. Her tenure covered major reforms and milestones across electricity generation, transmission, petroleum development, mineral governance, state participation in mining, value addition and energy transition planning. Hon. Nankabirwa led Uganda’s engagement around the Energy Transition Plan, launched at COP28, which set out a long-term pathway for universal modern energy access, energy-sector modernisation, industrial growth, emissions management and regional energy positioning. She also oversaw major infrastructure and policy priorities, including the commissioning of the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Project, expansion of national generation capacity, power distribution reforms, petroleum infrastructure development and preparations for Uganda’s entry into commercial oil production. In the minerals sector, she was closely associated with Uganda’s shift toward stronger state participation, structured investor engagement and domestic value addition. Under the Mining and Minerals Act 2022 framework, Uganda moved to establish a state-owned mining company to manage the government’s commercial interests and 15 percent participation in large and medium-scale mining projects. This approach was designed to strengthen Uganda’s ability to retain more value from its mineral wealth while working with credible private-sector partners. At UKAIS 2026, Hon. Nankabirwa brings a rare combination of ministerial experience, sector knowledge and private-sector insight. Her contribution to the mining and energy session will help UK investors understand Uganda’s energy and minerals journey from inside government, including the policy choices, infrastructure demands, investment opportunities and implementation challenges that define the sector. Her perspective will be especially valuable in discussions on mineral beneficiation, energy infrastructure, public-private partnerships, domestic processing, investor confidence, petroleum development, power supply for industry and Uganda’s wider ambition to move from resource access to bankable industrial value.