First Africa Diplomatic and Economic Conference 2026 Highlights Opportunities to Strengthen Pakistan-Africa Business Ties
KARACHI (By: Shahid Ghazali): Pakistan and African countries have significant potential to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF) and Chairman of the Dewan Group of Companies, has said.
He made these remarks while welcoming distinguished guests at the First Africa Diplomatic and Economic Conference 2026, held at a local hotel in Karachi. He described the conference as an important platform for building stronger economic partnerships between Pakistan and African nations.
Pakistan-Africa Trade and Investment Opportunities
Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh chaired the conference. Ambassadors, high commissioners, senior diplomats and representatives of the business community attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dewan Yousuf Farooqui emphasized the need to strengthen commercial relations between Pakistan and African countries. He said closer cooperation could create new opportunities for businesses, promote investment and support economic growth on both sides.
He also highlighted the importance of establishing stronger business-to-business connections. Improved engagement between Pakistani companies and African markets could help expand trade and develop mutually beneficial partnerships.
Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also stressed the importance of strengthening trade relations with African countries, particularly South Africa. He said the government was facilitating foreign investment through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The minister expressed optimism that Pakistan could achieve its goal of becoming one of the world’s 20 largest economies within the next decade.
SADC Markets Offer New Business Opportunities
Several senior diplomats and government officials addressed the conference. The speakers included South African High Commissioner Pierre Jordaan, Mauritius Ambassador Mansoori Max, Zimbabwean Ambassador Tazawa Chianongwa, Rwandan High Commissioner Ms. Harerimana and Somali High Commissioner Abdurahman Hirsi.
Other speakers included PSCTF Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon, President Syed Moezuddin, SIFC Secretary Jamil Ahmed Qureshi, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Faiz Ahmed, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Irfan Soomro and former Additional Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan.
The speakers identified stronger diplomatic engagement, trade expansion and investment cooperation as the conference’s main objectives. They also emphasized helping Pakistani businesses enter African markets and establish commercial partnerships.
Particular attention focused on the 16 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). These markets offer potential opportunities for Pakistani companies seeking to expand their international presence and diversify their export destinations.
The conference provided a platform for diplomats, policymakers and business leaders to exchange views on improving economic relations and identifying areas of mutual interest.
At the conclusion, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui and PSCTF Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon presented commemorative gifts to participating diplomats as a gesture of appreciation.
The event underscored the importance of continued engagement between Pakistan and African countries to promote trade, attract investment and build long-term economic partnerships.
