With less than two months until the much-anticipated African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS) 2024, preparations are in full swing for what is poised to be a defining event in fostering sustainable trade and investment between Africa, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. The summit, scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 November 2024 in London, is already generating significant attention and will bring together key diaspora stakeholders from across these regions.
Organised by HenleyCaribbean Sustainable Ventures, ACSIS 2024 will explore opportunities for investment and collaboration under the theme: “Leveraging the African, Caribbean and UK Business Opportunities: Investing in a Sustainable Future.” The event will focus on four critical sectors: Agriculture & Agri-Business, Climate Change & Renewable Energy, ICT, Digital Economy & Cybersecurity, and Tourism.
UK-based entrepreneurs with heritage ties to Africa and the Caribbean—including countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica—will take part in panel discussions, roundtables, and workshops to exchange best practices and discuss sustainable investment strategies.
A Three-Day Event Across London’s Landmark Venues
The summit will be held at three iconic locations in London, each offering a distinct focus for fostering meaningful dialogue and partnership:
- Day 1 (21 November): Opening at the UK House of Lords, the summit will feature high-level roundtable meetings themed “Business Meets Diplomacy,” where African and Caribbean High Commissioners, Ambassadors, and diplomatic staff will engage with business leaders. Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Johnston Busingye, is expected to address the delegates, while Pooran Desai, creator of One Planet Living (OPL) and a key inspiration behind the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will speak on the pressing implications of climate change for Africa and the Caribbean.
- Day 2 (22 November): Held at Lloyds of London, the day will focus on key sectors such as cybersecurity, tourism, and investment. Delegates will explore how digital economies and sustainable tourism can unlock new avenues for growth in both Africa and the Caribbean.
- Day 3 (23 November): The final day will centre around B2B meetings and agriculture, with the event taking place in London’s financial district. In addition to expert-led discussions, Dr Coreen Jacobs-Chester of the University of Guyana will support diaspora engagement, focusing on sustainable agriculture. A highlight of the day will be the Pitch It to Clinch It (PiTCi) competition, where entrepreneurs will present investment proposals to secure partnerships and funding. The day will culminate with the prestigious ACSIS Sustainability Awards 2024, recognising excellence in sustainability and innovation.
Building Strategic Partnerships for Long-Term Growth
David F. Roberts, Chairman of ACSIS, expressed his enthusiasm for the growing level of interest and participation from eight African and Caribbean countries. “We are thrilled by the momentum behind ACSIS 2024 and the significant opportunities it presents for fostering impactful, solutions-focused discussions and partnerships,” said Roberts.
Roberts also acknowledged the summit’s key supporters, including the African Union Commission (AU), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECS), and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CARIB-EXPORT). Their backing highlights the significance of this event in promoting sustainable trade and investment across the regions.
In a significant development, ACSIS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Asia/Africa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AACCI). This global organisation, representing more than 100 countries, corporates, and professionals, will further expand the summit’s reach. Yuvaan Atreya, Director of Global Alliances at AACCI, remarked, “This partnership is an incredible opportunity to forge links with African and Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs in the UK. The union sets the stage for untold possibilities in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.”
The Origins of ACSIS
ACSIS evolved from the successful Guyana Diaspora Sustainability & Investment Conference (GDSIC) held in November 2023, where major discussions on sustainable finance and investment took place. At that event, then-London Stock Exchange Group Director of Sustainable Finance and Investment, Ibukun Adebayo, expressed a commitment to exploring how the Exchange could support Guyana in improving its international credit rating. Inspired by this, the concept for ACSIS was broadened to include Africa, addressing the socio-economic gaps that hinder optimal trade and investment between the diaspora communities of Africa and the Caribbean.
For more information on ACSIS 2024 or to register for the summit, visit www.africancaribbeansummit.com or contact enquiries@africancaribbeansummit.com.
