Made in Africa Series
Made in Africa II
The second Made in Africa e-conference made the case that the African Continental Free Trade Area is a game changer, as heads of mission and industry leaders set out why investors should look to the continent for long-term growth.
2nd
Edition of the Series
US$3.4T
AfCFTA Combined GDP
US$25B
SG Investment in Africa
54
African Nations
The Event
A continent, open for business
Made in Africa II was organised by Sun Media, publishers of One AFRICA, and live-streamed to an audience across Singapore and Africa. It was a collaboration with the five resident African missions in Singapore, with the support of Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation, and the Olam Group.
The conference was introduced by H.E. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Dean of the Africa Group in Singapore and High Commissioner of Rwanda, with a Welcome Address by Sun Media Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ms Nomita Dhar, who set out how investors worldwide can benefit from Africa’s potential as a market and as a future supply chain frontier.
Across three panel sessions, ambassadors and experts examined whether companies should build their manufacturing in Africa, the rise of sectors such as pharmaceuticals and digital tech, and the continent’s path toward a greener future.
Working together we are building a new Africa driven by investment and technology.
H.E. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye
The Programme
Three panels on the new Africa
From the free-trade opportunity to manufacturing and a green future, the sessions traced where the continent is heading.
Session One
AfCFTA Opportunities
- Africa as a future supply chain and sourcing frontier
- Accelerating growth through technology and innovation
Session Two
Invitation to Build
Businesses
- Make Africa your manufacturing hub
- New sectors: pharmaceuticals, digitalisation, and manufacturing tech
Session Three
Sustainability: A Green Future Together
- Biofuels, resource wealth, and waste-to-energy generation
- Sustainable manufacturing and tech transfers
- Carbon risk and green finance
The Roster
Speakers and perspectives
Heads of mission, Singapore institutions, and industry leaders with first-hand experience of doing business across the continent.
Moderators
Johan Burger
College of Business & Economics, UAE University
On waste-to-energy and biogas as opportunities for SMEs and underserved communities.
Ranveer Chauhan
Chairman, Africa Group, Singapore Business Federation
On the untapped potential of Africa’s natural attractions and tourism economy.
Joanne Flinn
Strategic Sustainability Specialist
On the warmth of Africa’s people and the case for long-term, sustainability-minded investment.
Heads of Mission
H.E. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye
Dean of the Africa Group; High Commissioner of Rwanda
Framed the AfCFTA as a flagship single market with a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion, building a new Africa driven by investment and technology.
António H. da Silva
Chairman, AIPEX & SDZEE EP, Angola
Set out how the AfCFTA deepens economic integration and structural transformation across Angola and its neighbours.
H.E. Mahmoud Aseem ElMaghrabhy
Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Made the case for industrialisation as the engine of development, with opportunity across energy, agriculture, tourism, and a young consumer base.
H.E. Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe
High Commissioner of South Africa
Pointed to Africa’s vast mineral, oil, and iron-ore reserves and to rising women’s participation in the mainstream economy.
Industry and Expert Voices
G. Jayakrishnan
Executive Director, Enterprise Singapore
Singapore firms have invested some US$25 billion across Africa, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola the leading markets.
V. Srivathsan
MD & CEO, Africa & Middle East, Olam International
Drawing on nearly 30 years in Africa, noted that 17 countries operationalised the FTA at launch, calling it a good time to invest.
Elaina Olivia Chong
CEO, Real Kaiten Group
Highlighted infrastructure and public-private partnership opportunities that go well beyond commodities.
Saikat Chowdhury
Founder & MD, NiveSal
Argued for grassroots SME manufacturing and import substitution as the starting point for rapid industrial growth.
Dr. Dalal AlGhawas
Big Idea Ventures, Singapore
Spoke to food security, high-value ingredients, and Africa’s emerging cellular food-tech category.
Shabbir Hassanbhai
Former Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore to Nigeria
Urged investors to do thorough market research and build local partnerships to navigate the continent successfully.
Farizan d'Avezac de Moran
Senior Partner, GreenA Consultants
Focused on energy efficiency, green buildings, and the sustainability know-how the continent is working to master.
In Their Words
Voices from the conference
Two lines that captured the mood of the room.
