The African Business Investment Forum (ABIF) is soon to kick off in Belfast, covering a broad scope of general industries. This first-of-its-kind event will act as a launchpad to catalyze sustainable collaboration on trade and investment between Africa, Northern Ireland, as well as Ireland. This gathering will feature important stakeholders from diverse industries to tap into broad-based opportunities.

After this first forum, ABIF will continue as a yearly sector-focused series, where every year will feature a new sector. Future initiatives will highlight areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, the health sector, technology, as well as infrastructure, among others. Each of these initiatives will provide a focused review of a specific sector in terms of trends in the sector, investment in that sector, as well as partnerships in that sector. Each of these initiatives will be conducted in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Apart from economic development, ABIF is also dedicated to enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges. Cultural performances of African countries, exhibitions of artwork, cooking displays, as well as tourism promotions will be involved in the event in order to generate a lively environment at the gathering.

Through such endeavors, ABIF will also facilitate international exchange programs that will help local Northern Irish communities experience African culture, as well as vice versa. By effectively integrating the realm of conducting business with that of cultural mission, ABIF aims to ensure diversity, inclusion, and connectivity, providing a dynamic experience that is not limited to the boardroom.

Event Objectives

The African Business Investment Forum (ABIF) is founded on a set of well-defined goals that will ensure a strengthening of ties between Africa and Northern Ireland. As a rather unusual inter-continental endeavor, ABIF is intended to promote mutually beneficial prosperity. Below are the set of goals that will be pursued:

Facilitate Bilateral Trade and Investment

ABIF seeks to develop a sustainable investment platform by bringing together businesses, investors, and government representatives from Africa as well as Northern Ireland. Investment opportunities will be showcased during the event in the following areas: agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, health, and technology.

Promote Sector-Specific Collaboration

Through the changing focus of the industries it looks at, ABIF will examine high-level sector partnerships by committing each year to a particular industry in order to allow individuals to examine in-depth investment perspectives within that sector.

Enhance Business Networks

ABIF will act as a dynamic networking platform that will help bring the entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, as well as key thinkers from both regions, directly in contact with one another.

Promote Sustainable & Inclusive Economic Growth

One of the main aims of ABIF is to encourage investment approaches that are sustainable in the environment as well as socially inclusive. This investment body supports initiatives that offer long-term returns as well as improve the livelihood of people in both Africa and Northern Ireland.

Promotion of Cultural & Tourism Exchange

Apart from the business arena, ABIF is also focused on cultural diplomacy. This will be done by the display of African culture through music, dance, fashion, food, and artwork, thereby offering chances for cultural experience and tourism in Northern Ireland.

Support Youth and Women Entrepreneurs

ABIF hopes to offer a voice as well as a platform to Africans as well as women in Northern Ireland youth in the corporate world. This will be done through specialized sessions that will cater to inclusivity.

Establish International Exchange Programs

A long-term goal of ABIF is to launch people-to-people engagements via exchange initiatives, internships, as well as shared learning between African institutions, businesses, as well as cultural groups, and those from Northern Ireland.

Attendees

African Trade & Investment Delegations

Representing key trade and economic bodies across the continent.

  • Ministries of Trade, Commerce, and Industry from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, etc.
  • African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat
  • Chambers of Commerce and Industry (e.g. Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria Export Promotion Council)
  • Export and Investment Promotion Agencies
  • Delegates from regional economic communities (e.g. ECOWAS, EAC, SADC)

Cultural and Tourism Delegates

Promoting Africa’s rich cultural heritage and boosting international tourism.

  • Ministries of Culture and Tourism from participating African countries
  • National tourism boards and tour operators
  • African cultural ambassadors (music, dance, fashion, culinary arts)
  • Representatives from UNESCO and cultural exchange NGOs
  • African diaspora cultural organisations in the UK/Ireland

Business Investors and Entrepreneurs

To identify, fund, and scale cross-border ventures.

  • African and European venture capital firms and angel investors
  • Investment funds focused on Africa (e.g., African Development Bank, UK-Africa Investment groups)
  • Diaspora investors and returnee entrepreneurs
  • Startups and SMEs in sectors like agribusiness, fintech, healthcare, infrastructure, education
  • Business incubators and accelerators

Corporate and Industry Leaders

Decision-makers from leading enterprises and multinationals.

  • CEOs and senior executives from African and Irish/Northern Irish companies
  • Sector leaders in renewable energy, agriculture, tech, health, and infrastructure
  • Representatives from multinational corporations with Africa-Ireland interests

Government Officials and Policymakers

Shaping frameworks for sustainable partnerships and trade.

  • Northern Ireland Executive representatives
  • Officials from Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • African embassies and high commissions in the UK and Ireland
  • UK Department for Business and Trade (Africa Unit)
  • Members of Parliament and local government officials
  • City of Belfast representatives and civic leaders

Academic and Research Institutions

Bridging knowledge gaps and facilitating innovation partnerships.

  • Universities and colleges from Northern Ireland and Africa (e.g. Queen’s University Belfast, University of Cape Town, University of Ghana)
  • Research bodies working on African development, trade, innovation
  • Think tanks and policy research institutions (e.g., ODI, Chatham House Africa Programme)

International Development & Multilateral Organisations

Supporting inclusive growth and responsible investment.

  • UNDP, IFC, World Bank, African Development Bank
  • DFID (UK), Irish Aid, EU Delegations to Africa
  • NGOs focused on enterprise development, gender inclusion, and climate action

Youth and Women Representatives

Fostering inclusive participation and future leadership.

  • Young African entrepreneurs and innovators
  • Women in business networks and associations
  • Youth-focused organisations (e.g., Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ashoka Africa)
  • Social impact entrepreneurs and creative industry leaders

Media and Communications Partners

Ensuring wide exposure and storytelling.

  • African and Irish business media (e.g., CNBC Africa, Joy Business, Irish Times)
  • Cultural broadcasters (e.g., BBC Africa, SABC, TV3 Ghana)
  • Social media influencers and cultural content creators
  • Documentary filmmakers and international journalists

Event Partners, Sponsors, and Community Stakeholders

To enable, host, and amplify the forum.

  • Local Belfast business associations
  • Venue partners (e.g., The Merchant Hotel)
  • Event management and PR firms
  • Sponsors and strategic corporate partners
  • Community and diaspora organisations
Belfast Building

Targeted Sectors

The African Business Investment Forum (ABIF) is crafted in a way that will help to target high-impact sectors, which will benefit both the African continent as well as the people of Northern Ireland. These sectors are identified based on the high level of economic development that they can offer.

  • Agriculture and Agri-business
  • Renewable Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Healthcare and Life Sciences
  • Infrastructure and Construction
  • Creative Industries and Cultural Economy
  • Tourism and Hospitality

The African Business Investment Forum (ABIF) 2026 represents more than an event, it is a movement toward shared prosperity, collaboration, and sustainable growth between Africa and Northern Ireland.

Guided by the vision of Ethnic Business Review (EBR), ABIF 2026 aims to inspire long-term partnerships, drive innovative investment, and unlock opportunities that transcend borders. and development.

Join us in Belfast on summer 2026 and be part of shaping the future of cross-continental business

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