The fifth edition of the highly anticipated India Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit is set to convene in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 17th and 18th, 2025. This landmark Summit, poised to foster unparalleled collaboration and innovation, will bring together approximately 200 high-calibre participants, including CEOs, Founders, Banks, and Financial Institutions, split equally between Indian and African representatives.
The Summit aims to serve as a pivotal platform for strengthening economic ties, facilitating cross-border investments, and nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems across India and Africa. It will provide a unique opportunity for business leaders and financial institutions to explore new markets, forge strategic partnerships, and discuss sustainable growth models tailored for both continents.
Highlighting the overwhelming enthusiasm for the Summit, Baljinder Sharma, the organiser, stated, “We are truly overwhelmed with the response. Over 150 delegates from 26 countries have signed up till date, even though we are yet to open the Summit for registration. This is purely through referrals from previous participants and word of mouth publicity.” Delegates from countries including Liberia, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Tunisia have already confirmed their participation, underscoring the forum’s broad appeal and significance. The Summit boasts an impressive line-up of confirmed speakers, representing a diverse range of industries and expertise:
Ravi Venkatesan: A distinguished business leader, social entrepreneur, and author, Ravi has chaired Cummins India, Microsoft India, and Bank of Baroda. He founded the Global Alliance For Mass Entrepreneurship and currently chairs The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). An IIT Bombay, Purdue, and Harvard Business School alumnus, he also served as UNICEF’s Special Representative for Young People and Innovation, leading the global Generation Unlimited initiative.
John Mwendwa, OGW: John is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest). With over 20 years of experience in investment, trade, and industry across Africa, he brings significant expertise from both public and private sectors. His recent government positions include Secretary, Strategy Execution at the President’s Strategy & Execution Office and Senior Advisor for Investments in the Ministry of Investments, Trade & Industry. He was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) by the President of Kenya for his contributions to the Ease of Doing Business agenda.
Vimal Shah: Co-Founder and Chairman of Bidco Africa, a leading FMCG manufacturer in Kenya. Under his leadership, Bidco has grown from a family business into a regional powerhouse with over 50 brands across East Africa.
Raman Roy: Widely recognised as the “Pioneer of the BPO industry in India” and fondly referred to as the “Father of the Indian BPO Industry.” He has successfully led BPO initiatives for American Express, GE (Genpact), and Spectramind (Wipro BPO) before founding Quatrro. He is a prominent angel investor, having directly created over 35,000 jobs in India and indirectly enabled employment for over 1.6 million people.
Anita George: Former Senior Director of the World Bank Group’s Global Practice on Energy and Extractive Industries. Prior to this, she was Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and held management positions at Siemens Financial Services in India and the Steel Authority of India.
Mehul Pandya: MD and Group CEO at CARE Ratings Limited, credited with elevating it to India’s top two Credit Ratings player. He holds significant India and international Board level governance experience, including his role as Vice-chairman of the Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia (ACRAA).
Sushil Jiwarajka: Chairman of Artheon Group of Companies and Chairman & MD of Essjay Ericsson Pvt. Ltd. His group has interests in Telecom, Renewable Energy (OMC Power), and E-commerce. A past Chairman of FICCI-WRC and ICC-India, he is also a passionate philanthropist, actively supporting initiatives like Global Parli and Roti Bank.
Bimal Kantaria: Managing Director of Elgon Kenya, a leading agri-inputs supplier in East Africa with a history spanning over 120 years. Elgon Kenya is renowned for its technologically advanced and sustainable products.
Manish Shah: Executive Chairman of the Kingsway Group of Companies in Nairobi, Kenya. Under his leadership, the group has diversified from tire sales into a conglomerate of 38 affiliated companies, with an annual turnover exceeding US$200 million, spanning retail, real estate, and hospitality.
Anirudh Damani: Managing Partner at Artha Venture Fund, India’s first Micro-VC Fund. He is a prolific early-stage investor with a portfolio of over 75 global ventures, known for his unique circular investment model.
The India Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit has a rich legacy, with previous editions featuring distinguished speakers such as Mr. Suresh Prabhu (Former Indian Minister), Mr. Prithvirajsing Roopun (Former President of Mauritius), and Mr. Rajeev Kumar (Former Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog), amongst other global leaders. The 2025 Summit promises to be a catalyst for new partnerships, innovation, and
sustainable development across both continents, aligning with the shared vision of prosperity and collaboration between India and Africa.
