The 5th annual India-Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit concluded on July 18, 2025. Held over two days at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, the event was a great success, drawing outstanding participation and fostering a strong spirit of cooperation.
The Summit provided a dynamic platform for immersive learning and the exchange of business insights. It was specifically designed to create opportunities for Indian and African entrepreneurs to learn, share, and collaborate, particularly for those seeking joint ventures and B2B connections.
Preeminent entrepreneurs, thought leaders, policymakers, and investors from both continents discussed the opportunities and challenges of investing in each other’s markets. They focused on connecting Africa’s $3.5 trillion frontier markets with India’s $4 trillion economy to boost investment, trade, and joint ventures. The discussions also explored cross-sharing insights on best practices, digitalization, and AI technology, creating a rich exchange of knowledge and innovation.
Organised by the India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (www.africa-india.org) in collaboration with the Kenya Investment Authority, TiE Africa and the India-Kenya Business Council, this impactful gathering brought together an inspiring array of participants, business leaders, and government officials from both India and across the African continent.
The seamless collaboration among all stakeholders, including prominent figures based in Mauritius such as Temabye Vayavooree, Executive Vice President – Global & International Corporates from Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB); Saurav Chatterjee, Director and CEO of CareEdge Ratings Africa, and Selveena Samy-Ramruttun, Manager – Business Development at MITCO, made the event truly unique and impactful. It transformed from merely a conference into a celebration of shared vision, innovation, and partnership between these two great nations.
A highlight of the summit was the compelling keynote address by Mr. Ravi Venkatesan, a distinguished business leader, social entrepreneur, and author. Mr. Venkatesan, who has chaired companies including Cummins India, Microsoft India, and Bank of Baroda, addressed the audience on the critical topic of creating a Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship. His insights, drawn from a career that includes founding the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship and currently chairing The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), deeply resonated with attendees.
“The youth unemployment crisis in the Global South is solvable, and the key lies in fostering mass entrepreneurship. Prosperity arises from unleashing the creativity of our populations, enabling millions of ordinary people to start useful businesses. This is the time for action to create dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa and India, transforming cities and unleashing youth potential,” said Mr. Venkatesan.
“The enthusiasm and collaborative spirit evident at this Summit truly exemplify the robust and growing partnership between India and Africa. We witnessed profound discussions and the forging of new relationships that will undoubtedly drive economic growth and foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem across both regions. The focus on digitalisation and AI highlighted our collective commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for shared prosperity,” said Baljinder Sharma, the organiser of the Summit.
Vayavooree said, “MCB is highlighting its role as a facilitator to support trade and investments between India and Africa.”
Chatterjee said, “CareEdge Group’s participation in the 2025 Africa-India Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit in Nairobi was a pivotal step in advancing its strategic footprint across the African continent and deepening its engagement with the Africa-India investment corridor. The event provided an opportunity to engage with leaders from East Africa’s corporate and financial sectors and served as a platform to highlight the importance of credit ratings in strengthening the region’s financial ecosystem.”
Samy-Ramruttun said, “MITCO was proud to be associated with the 5th India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum in Nairobi — an event that successfully brought together investors and entrepreneurs to explore new synergies across both continents. As a sponsor, the Forum provided us with a strategic platform to showcase our commitment to supporting Africa-focused investments, particularly in East Africa. It also reaffirmed Mauritius’ role as a key facilitator for trade and investment between India and Africa. The high-level discussions, networking opportunities, and shared ambitions during the event reinforced the value of cross-border collaboration in driving inclusive growth and innovation across the region.”
The success of the 5th edition reinforces the importance of this annual gathering as a catalyst for economic development and cross-border collaboration. Looking ahead, the 6th edition of the India Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from July 15th to 17th, 2026.
