The Manufacturing Africa Programme team in the UK participated in the recently concluded Trading with the Commonwealth Forum that was held in Birmingham, UK. This event was one of a series forming part of the UK government’s business and tourism programme linked to Birmingham hosting the summer 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The objective of the event was to boost exports to Commonwealth markets with MA focusing specifically on trade with Commonwealth African markets. MA set-up a booth at the event premises from which the team interacted with conference participants and shared information about the programme. Tin Mangwiro who is MA’s Senior Transaction Facilitator also spoke on a panel on boosting trade with Africa and shared some of MA’s experiences that included business linkages with UK entities.

In attendance were about 135 participants, mostly UK Midlands businesses and several Commonwealth High Commission and government export support agency staff. Other UK government departments represented at the forum included the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Department for International Trade (DiT), UK Export Finance (UKEF).

MA will continue to promote investment linkages between UK manufacturing companies and businesses in Africa.