The 20th edition of India- Africa Business Conclave, held from 27th- 29th August 2025, stood out as a remarkable event for the deepening economic ties and development cooperation between India and Africa. The conclave, organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the conclave also witnessed the participation of African heads of government, senior officials, policymakers, and businessmen, along with their Indian counterparts.
The conclave, which was inaugurated in the year 2005, has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, with bilateral trade rising from USD 25 billion in 2006 to USD 83 billion in 2024. India also ranks among Africa’s top 5 trading partners, and the majority of the bilateral trade cooperation occurred in areas of trade, investment, technology, value chains, and development.
The discussions held at the conclave revolved around key priority sectors such as agriculture, food security, healthcare, energy security, infrastructure, and climate resilience. Indian companies also launched various products under the AAA approach (Affordable, Adaptable, and Appropriate) which are suitable for the African markets.
A major highlight of the 20th conclave was the auspicious two-day visit of Zimbabwe’s Vice President General (Retd.) Dr.Constantino Chiwenga. He was accompanied by a 60-member delegation who participated in the deliberations. In his address, he underlined the significance of solidarity between India and Zimbabwe and reaffirmed his country’s vision of attracting Indian investments in sectors such as agriculture, mining, textiles, and renewable energy. He stated, “Zimbabwe is open for business”, signalling towards inviting Indian investors and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in his country. Alongside Zimbabwe, several other African nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania, sent ministerial and business delegations, showcasing their investment opportunities and emphasising collaboration in infrastructure, clean energy, and technology transfer.
Vice President Chiwenga also visited Surat, Gujarat, where he explored the Indian agriculture markets, dairy cooperatives, and the globally popular textiles and diamond industries. His engagements indicated Zimbabwe’s eagerness to learn from India’s cooperative model and to strengthen Zimbabwe’s domestic industries.
The 20th India-Africa Business Conclave thus not only celebrated two decades of a successful partnership forum but also laid the foundation for a future-oriented agenda that blends trade, investment, and developmental cooperation. With African leaders like Zimbabwe’s Vice President actively engaging with Indian stakeholders, the conclave reaffirmed that the India-Africa partnership is entering a new era, which is defined by shared prosperity, resilience, and sustainable growth.
