The 2018 edition of Africa Trade and Investment Summit (ATIGS) is scheduled for June 24-26, in Washington DC, USA, organisers say, with Uganda which has discovered oil and is set to start drilling by 2020 being among the African countries expected to attend.
ATIGS is a high-level conference and trade platform designed specifically to promote and facilitate international trade and foreign direct investment in Africa, with attendance projection of over 2,000 participants from more than 70 countries meeting for a three-day networking, marketing, matchmaking and deal making among others.
The conference covers 16 economic and natural resources sectors such as energy, minerals, telecommunications, finance, agro-processing among others.
The event will have the participation of more than 150 speakers, over 160 exhibitors, high-level government delegations, project developers, business leaders, trade promotional organizations and investment promotion agencies from various African countries, and over 350 global investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and asset management firms.
The event will feature African countries’ pavilions with representative companies sourcing for international partners and investments, and government agencies showcasing the wide range of trade and investment opportunities that are available in their respective countries.
“There will also be Middle East, Europe, USA, Canada, and Asia exhibition/pavilions representing companies and government agencies with interests to engage with Africa,” indicates a recent brief statement.
The event is sponsored by Africa Global Chamber of Commerce, The Africa Society, International Trade Council, World Trade Centre, Capital Consulting and Energy and Environment Partnership among other global institutions.
Prominent global figures like Julian Roberts CEO, Old Mutual and African businessmen like Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, President and CEO Dangote Group and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Africa; and billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings are expected to grace the event more so to speak about the opportunities that the resource-rich continent offers.
African political leaders argue that trade and investments, rather than aid, will spur the continent’s development much faster.
