The India-Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (IAEF), in collaboration with the Economic Development Board of Mauritius (EDB) will host the third edition of the Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit to accelerate collaborative growth between India and Africa.
Ebène, July 11, 2023. The Third Edition of the India-Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit will be held at the Le Meridien Hotel in Mauritius from July 20th to the 21st. The objective of the summit is to unite the entrepreneurial ecosystems of India and Africa, harnessing their strengths to drive mutual growth, development, Venture Capital opportunities, and Merger and acquisition facilitations.
The event is jointly organised by the India-Africa Entrepreneurship Forum, the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, the Indian Angels Network (IAN), the Africa Business Angels Network (ABAN), and TiE Global (The Indus Entrepreneurs). Currently, the IAEF Summit has established itself as the preferred platform for entrepreneurs from the Indian Ocean and Africa regions for knowledge sharing.
Attendees will be able to make the most of insights from Dr. Rajiv Kumar, a renowned international economist who has played a pivotal role in spearheading vital economic reforms in India. Dr. Rajiv Kumar was handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the ex-officio Vice-Chairman of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). During his address Dr. Kumar will elaborate on the investment environment. a prominent industrialist, and the Chairman of Artheon Group of Companies Mr. Sushil Jiwarajka, has also confirmed his attendance to the IAEF Summit. Mr. Jiwarajka is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Essjay Ericsson Pvt. Ltd, a Joint Venture with LM Ericsson of Sweden. Artheon Group has interests in Telecom, Renewable energy, industrial batteries and E-commerce.
The summit will also feature engaging workshops covering future electronic payments and digital currency, while notable speakers including industry leaders and investors from India and Africa will provide additional expertise and perspectives to all those attending. Over 85 foreign delegates have already confirmed their participation to the summit and will be able to interact with the local business community over the 2 days.
On July 21, the summit will host distinguished guests such as the President of the Republic of Mauritius His Excellency Prithvirajsing Roopun G.C.S.K., the President of the Republic of Mauritius, who will deliver the inaugural speech. Chairman of the India-Africa Summit Mr. Yaduvendra Mathur, will provide the welcome address. Deputy Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India Mr Sudatta Mandal,– a key enabler of the Indian Start-Up ecosystem with investments in over 180 venture capital funds, will share his experience with African entrepreneurs.
CEO of the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, Mr Ken Poonoosamy will also deliver an address to the delegates on EDB’s strides. Mr. Nehal Shah of The National Payments Corporation of India will present the revolutionary Unified Payments Interface (a revolutionary interface that facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions) as a scalable solution to the problem of financial inclusion in developing countries.
Insightful panel discussions and workshops
Building on the resounding success of its previous editions held in Mauritius and Kenya in 2019 and 2022, respectively, the Third IAEF Summit promises to be a transformative event. This year, pre-eminent entrepreneurs, thought leaders, policymakers, and investors from both Africa and India will participate in workshops and panels covering crucial contemporary topics, including: Sectoral Opportunities: Cross-border FinTech, Energy & GreenTech, AgriTech and Agri Export, EdTech and Remote Learning, HealthTech – Telehealth, International E-Commerce, and Automation & Artificial Intelligence. The India and African Continental Free Trade Area facilities and incentives will also be explored.
By providing a conducive environment for meaningful engagement, the summit facilitates valuable connections and nurtures innovation. Concurrently, participants will have the chance to forge strategic alliances and tap into the vast potential of India and Africa’s entrepreneurial landscapes.
“The India-Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit serves as a vital bridge between India and Africa, fostering collaboration and unlocking new avenues for growth,” said Entrepreneur and Investment Advisor, Launch Africa Baljinder Sharma. “We are excited to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and create a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish and partnerships are forged.”
Other Prominent Speakers at the Summit include: President of the Africa Business Angels Network Tomi Davies, is a renowned public speaker, captivating audiences globally with growth strategies; NASA engineer turned entrepreneur, Chairman of JetSynthesis Group, expert in AI and online gaming Rajan Navani,; speaker on music, technology, and individualism, founder of amp.it Derrick Ashong, known for viral video on Obama’s campaign; and PhD, Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School, author of “Mobilizing Capital in Africa Prof Anywhere Sikochi,
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On June 20, a series of workshop sessions will be held at the summit including:
The roundtable on Mauritian Startup Ecosystem – Challenges/Opportunities & Way Forward. Hosted by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), this session will discuss the current challenges and opportunities in the local startup ecosystem and explore ways to move forward.
A workshop focusing on corporate venture capital, this session will delve into the strategies and best practices for corporations looking to invest in and collaborate with startups.
Education/EdTech for African Development, Can India Help? This workshop will explore the role of education and educational technology (EdTech) in driving African development, with a specific focus on the potential contributions and assistance from India.
Digital Public Infrastructure and the Making of Smart Government. This session will discuss the development and implementation of digital public infrastructure, exploring how it contributes to creating smarter and more efficient government systems.
India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (IAEF)
The India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (IAEF) is a platform that aims to foster collaboration and partnership between entrepreneurs from India and Africa. It serves as a bridge between the entrepreneurial ecosystems of these two regions, promoting mutual growth, development, and investment opportunities. The IAEF organizes events, such as the India Africa Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit, where entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders come together to explore avenues for cooperation, share insights, and create networks. The forum plays a vital role in facilitating dialogue, knowledge exchange, and building sustainable connections between Indian and African entrepreneurs, ultimately driving economic development and fostering innovation.
To know more about the India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum, please visit – http://africa-india.org/
