London: The second edition of the Africa Week UK 2026 will take place in London from October 23 to November 2, 2026. The initiative, themed 'Africa Forward: Innovation, Investment, Influence,' aims to showcase the economic power of the African diaspora and create a platform for economic opportunities in the UK and on the continent.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Akwasi Agyemang, Co-Founder of the initiative, highlighted at the launch in Accra that the 10-day event is expected to unlock business opportunities and foster connections between the diaspora and Africa's existing and emerging markets. Mr. Agyemang emphasized the presence of approximately 2.1 million people of African heritage who are influential in business, sports, and technology, aiming to bridge the gap in the Africa story, which has been told in fragments.
Mr. Agyemang also noted that the event, strategically planned to coincide with the Black History Month, would focus on rebranding and promoting African countries and destinations, shifting the narrative from aid to investment. The lineup of events includes 'Taste of Africa,' a welcome event to be hosted at the Gold Coast Restaurant in Croydon, celebrating African cuisine and culture.
In addition, the African Business Showcase will feature visits to various African-owned businesses across the UK to highlight diaspora entrepreneurship. A significant highlight will be an Investment Summit in partnership with Ghana International Bank, aimed at driving conversations on diaspora investment and financial inclusion. Other events include the Africa Country Branding Forum, focused on tourism and destination marketing, and a Market Access Summit, exploring diaspora participation in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Agyemang stressed the importance of collaboration among individuals and corporate bodies, stating that the initiative would leverage existing platforms and partnerships to achieve desired outcomes. Dr. Erieka Bennett, Founder and Head of Mission of the Diaspora African Forum, pledged support for the event, which would explore Africa-Caribbean relations and broader diaspora linkages, and called on stakeholders to continue promoting unity, development, and Pan-Africanism.
Dr. Lucky Onoriode George, Executive Director of the Africa Travel Commission, expressed commitment to the initiative, emphasizing the importance of promoting African tourism and business. Other dignitaries present included Mr. Youssef Chaoui, Deputy Ambassador of Morocco, and Mr. Fortunato Albrinho, Ambassador of Mozambique.