Focus Africa Business Roundtable Sparks Continental Dialogue on Trade, Investment, and Market Integration
Abuja, Nigeria – August 19, 2025 – The Focus Africa Business Roundtable convened at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, drawing an illustrious gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and development experts from Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Under the theme “Expanding Access to Nigeria-Africa Markets to Enhance Sustainable Economic Development,” the Summit distinguished itself as a continental platform for high-level dialogue, strategic partnerships, and innovative market solutions.
In a highlight of the event, the Summit honored Africa’s most distinguished leaders in business, entrepreneurship, governance, and social impact. The awards recognized individuals whose vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment have advanced economic development, innovation, and the empowerment of youth and women. These accolades underscored the critical role of visionary leadership in shaping Africa’s destiny, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and change-makers to pursue excellence and foster regional integration.
For decades, Africa’s economic potential has been constrained by fragmented policies, infrastructural deficits, and limited intra-African trade. The Roundtable addressed these barriers, emphasizing that strategic value-chain development, investment in SMEs, and youth and women-led enterprises are vital to unlocking the continent’s growth potential.
While speaking with newsmen, Ambassador Sucex Bright Ibeh, Convener of the Focus Africa Series, highlighted the platform’s continental reach and impact, noting its ability to bridge governments, entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders. He emphasized:
“With operations spanning 39 countries, our platform serves as a beacon for governments, investors, and innovators alike. By showcasing policies, initiatives, and best practices, we seek to catalyze Africa’s growth, strengthen regional integration, and nurture an ecosystem where enterprise, leadership, and opportunity flourish across the continent.”
"The Focus Africa Business Roundtable was a gathering of visionaries, trailblazers, and changemakers — it wasn’t just an event, it was the spark of a new era for Africa’s market. From bold conversations to powerful connections, nobody was left in doubt. This is for Africa, by Focus Africa,” he told newsmen.
He further called on governments to partner with the Series, stressing that such collaborations would enable them to showcase policies on a growing continental platform, while simultaneously advancing regional integration, economic development, and sustainable growth.
Observers note that under his stewardship, the Focus Africa Series has evolved from a forum into a movement, celebrating Africa’s ingenuity, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit through conferences, business summits, awards, and empowerment programs that actively shape and amplify Africa’s growth narrative.
Adding further gravitas to the discussions, H.E. Alayingi Sylva, former First Lady of Bayelsa State and CEO of Blossom Foods Industries Ltd., called for a renewed focus on continental-made products. Stressing that homegrown value chains are essential for Africa’s global competitiveness and sustainable growth, she urged entrepreneurs to embrace Africa’s markets, noting: “I am not going anywhere. Our entrepreneurs must embrace continental-made.” Her presence brought an extra layer of business depth to the summit, highlighting the intersections of leadership, women empowerment, and enterprise.
Her keynote added both weight and a strategic business perspective, highlighting the essential role of entrepreneurship, innovation, and local industry in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
Mr. Lucky Joseph, Business Development Consultant with Focus Africa, highlighted the importance of youth engagement and SME development:
“Moving beyond borders, we must invest in SMEs, foster peace, and build partnerships. Opening up markets is the beginning of expanding access, and engaging youth and SMEs is the dominant point in shaping Africa’s economic future.”
His remarks reinforced the need for collective action, emphasizing that Africa’s prosperity relies on leveraging local talent, entrepreneurship, and innovation to meet global standards.
Distinguished speakers including Dr. Tinuke Temitope, Dr. Aisha Lemu, Alhaji Sani Garba, and Dr. Aisha Lami Abdulsalam offered insights on unlocking African markets and fostering inclusive entrepreneurship. The Summit’s discussions reinforced the imperative of integration, homegrown production, and investment in youth and women-led enterprises.
According to Ambassador Angonimi Imeh-David, Focus Africa is about the narrative of Africa’s stories. ‘We are building a platform where the story of Africa can be showcased and projected to the world,’ she said, emphasizing the importance of framing Africa as a continent of innovation, resilience, and opportunity.”
The Summit concluded with a resounding message: Africa’s economic transformation depends on integration, policy consistency, and investment in local industries, youth, and women-led initiatives. Through Ambassador Ibeh’s leadership, Focus Africa has positioned itself as a continental standard for enterprise advocacy, empowerment, and economic storytelling, amplifying African voices, policies, and innovations across 39 countries and beyond.
The Summit left every attendee with a redefined perspective on Africa’s business landscape, highlighting new dimensions of trade, investment, and market integration that are central to shaping the continent’s economic future.
As participants departed, it was clear that the story of Africa is being actively written, promoted, and shared—anchored in collaboration, innovation, and leadership with both local authenticity and global ambition. The 2025 Focus Africa Business Roundtable affirmed its stature as a premier continental forum shaping Africa’s trade, investment, and development agenda.
