PRESS RELEASE: Invest Africa and Business Council for Africa announce global trade and investment pl

In 2017 Invest Africa (IA) and the Business Council for Africa (BCA) announced a strategic partnership and advised their respective memberships of the intention to merge their operations. We are pleased that as of 1st May, the two organisations will operate as Invest Africa using the well-known BCA logo.

BCA’s reputation and strong heritage, together with its in-country representation across Africa, when added to IA’s network of influencers and investors and its offices in London, New York, Cape Town and Dubai, fits the expanded organisation’s ambition to be the global platform for trade and investment on the African Continent.

A responsible and profitable private sector has a crucial role to play in Africa’s development and it is in this spirit that BCA and Invest Africa’s common goal will evolve under the guidance of the Invest Africa Advisory Board, chaired by Mark Simmonds. David Lamb, Chairman of Business Council for Africa, will join the IA Board, Karen Taylor will be the CEO and join the IA Board, whilst BCA Adviser, Lanre Akinola, will be on the IA Advisory Board.

With a combined membership of more than 400 individuals and companies, ranging from global organisations and multi-nationals to individual investors and entrepreneurs, Invest Africa will focus on connecting the private sector with real business opportunities. It enjoys strong connections through the European Business Council for Africa (EBCAM) which has over 4000 members active in Africa.

Invest Africa will continue to support the BCA as a not for profit organisation, established for over 60 years. The future composition of the organisation and strategy will be established under the guidance of Clive Carpenter, Deputy Chairman of the BCA.

Chairman, David Lamb said “Africa finds itself at the nexus of today’s fast-changing, technology-driven world of business. Global interest in the Continent’s economic potential is high and with the recent signing of the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement the merged organisation is ideally positioned to engage with both public and private sectors.”

Robert Hersov, Founder and Chairman of Invest Africa said “There has never been a better time to invest in Africa, with economic and political change opening up opportunities in countries which have been closed to business for years. As one organisation, we will be able to expand our joint services and offer a larger platform for investors, businesses and entrepreneurs that deserve recognition and investment, with the aim of bringing Africa to the world.”