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Africa’s growth story is undeniable — but under-communicated. Subhash Thakrar, OBE, draws lessons from India’s success under PM Modi and urges Africa to package its investment potential with data, credibility, and confidence.


🌍 1. Macro Perspective — What Africa Can Learn from India

“A few years ago, when I chaired the London Chamber of Commerce, I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London. India wasn’t then a major investment destination, so I asked, ‘Why should we invest in India?’
He opened his briefcase and handed me a detailed brochure prepared with PwC and KPMG—full of evaluated, ready-to-invest projects, each categorised by investment level.
In that moment, Modi acted like the CEO of India.”

That proactive, investor-oriented approach, Mr. Thakrar noted, transformed India into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

“Africa has even greater potential,” he added. “You have the natural resources, the youth, and the digital talent. What’s missing is global awareness. The world still doesn’t fully understand Africa’s offer.”

He urged African governments to deploy trade envoys—well-briefed professionals who can tell Africa’s investment story abroad, showcase credible data, and keep the continent top-of-mind for global capital.

💡 2. Micro Perspective — Practical Financing for African Entrepreneurs

“For SMEs and entrepreneurs, the fastest way to unlock finance is to set up a UK-registered company. It costs less than £1,000 and takes 24 hours.”

Why it matters:

UK incorporation offers instant credibility with investors and lenders.

It opens access to international banking, trade-finance instruments, and cross-border partnerships.

He highlighted Euro Exim Bank, operating in 200 countries, as an institution actively financing trade between Africa and global markets.

“Africa is exporting more than ever. What we now need is structured, affordable trade finance. The tools exist—it’s about awareness and readiness.”

As an example of local success, he cited Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, a Ugandan-born billionaire who returned from the UK to build one of Africa’s largest business empires.

“When I asked if he ever raised capital from the UK, his answer was no. That tells us something powerful: you can succeed using African resources and ingenuity. What you need is focus, resilience, and execution.”

🧭 Key Messages & Investor Takeaways

✅ Africa must educate the global market about its investable projects.
✅ Adopt the India model: curated, evaluated investment portfolios attract real capital.
✅ Use UK company registration to access finance and enhance trust.
✅ Leverage trade-finance instruments to scale exports and industrial growth.
✅ Celebrate and replicate home-grown success stories like Sudhir Ruparelia’s.

“Africa’s potential is enormous—but under-communicated.
Platforms like the UK–Africa Business Summit, led by Willy Mutenza, are essential for telling Africa’s story.
This is how ideas become deals, and potential becomes progress.”
— Subhash V. Thakrar, OBE

🟢 Register for 2026 Summit

16th UK–Africa Business Summit 2026
📅 Date: 11 September 2026
🌍 Venue: The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London, 2 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EJ

🔗 Register: https://ukafricasummit2026.eventbrite...