Bharat Chamber of Commerce Hosts Africa–India Business Linkage Conference to Strengthen Trade and Investment Ties
The Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) organised an International Conference on ‘Africa–India Business Linkage’ in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, bringing together policymakers, senior government officials, diplomats and business stakeholders to explore opportunities for deepening commercial and economic engagement between India and Africa.
The conference was graced by Shri Tapas Roy, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Government of West Bengal, as the Guest-in-Chief. The Guests of Honour included Mrs. Vandana Yadav, IAS, Managing Director, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, and Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Government of West Bengal; Shri A. Ajay Kumar, IFS, Joint Secretary–States, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev, IFS (Retd.), Former High Commissioner of India to Nigeria and Ambassador of India to Algeria and Norway; and Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, IFS (Retd.), Former Secretary–CPV&OIA, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Yemen and High Commissioner to Seychelles.
The conference also witnessed the participation of distinguished diplomats and representatives of African Missions in India, including Her Excellency Ms. Stella Nkomo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe; His Excellency Mr. Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, High Commissioner of Nigeria in India; His Excellency Dr. Malemda Kamele, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., High Commission of the Republic of Togo in India; and Mr. Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu, Minister, Investment and Tourism, High Commission of Ghana in India.
Other representatives from the African diplomatic missions included Mr. Aminu Masari, First Secretary–Economic, Trade & Investment, High Commission of Nigeria in India; Mr. Maza Wiyaou Mendeleï, Attaché, High Commission of the Republic of Togo in India; and Mr. Conrad Nana Kojo Asiedu, Counsellor–Trade, Culture and Tourism, High Commission of Ghana in India.
The conference highlighted that the India–Africa relationship has evolved significantly beyond traditional development cooperation and has emerged as a comprehensive and multi-dimensional partnership spanning trade and investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, digitalisation, defence and skills development.
India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$81.99 billion in 2024–25. India’s cumulative investment in Africa is estimated at approximately US$80 billion between 1996 and 2025, underlining the growing depth and diversity of economic engagement between the two regions.
The participation of senior representatives from the Government of West Bengal and the Ministry of External Affairs, along with diplomats representing key African nations, underscored the growing importance of West Bengal as a potential gateway for strengthening India–Africa commercial engagement.
