22/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE
4th Africa Trade and Investment Summit Brings African and Global Business Leaders Together in Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – September 22, 2026
The 4th Africa Trade and Investment Summit (ATIS), the annual flagship summit of the Investment Center of Africa (ICOA), was successfully convened today at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Addis Ababa, bringing together a distinguished gathering of banking institutions, investors, importers and exporters, coffee value-chain stakeholders, energy-sector leaders, business executives, diplomatic representatives, and international investment partners.
Held under the theme “Connecting Markets: Fostering Trade and Investment Opportunities Across Africa,” the summit provided a high-level platform for strengthening cross-border trade, advancing investment opportunities, and building practical partnerships connecting African markets with global business and investment networks.
Organized by the Investment Center of Africa (ICOA), ATIS has become an annual flagship platform bringing together business leaders, investors, financial institutions, government and diplomatic representatives, exporters, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to identify opportunities and translate dialogue into meaningful commercial partnerships across Africa.
The 2026 summit welcomed participants and guests from Ethiopia, Zambia, Algeria, Niger, Somalia, India, Italy, and other countries, reflecting the increasingly international and pan-African character of the ATIS platform. The summit was also honored by the participation of representatives and guests from the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia and the Embassy of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, further reinforcing the diplomatic and international dimension of the gathering.
The summit commenced with welcome remarks by Master of Ceremonies Ms. Selamawit Yisfalegn Tesfaye, followed by an opening address from Mr. Abdinasir Turky, Chairman and CEO of the Investment Center of Africa (ICOA).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Turky emphasized the importance of unlocking Africa’s investment potential, strengthening market connections, and creating practical pathways through which trade and investment opportunities can translate into sustainable economic outcomes.
A key international perspective was delivered by Mr. Ranjeev Sharma, Convener of the Indian Business Forum, in his address titled “Global Partnerships for Africa’s Growth.” The presentation highlighted the importance of international partnerships, business-to-business engagement, and stronger connections between African and global markets.
The summit featured a focused Business and Finance Spotlight with Mr. Tadesse Hatiya, CEO of Sidama Bank, and Mr. Gizat Worku, General Manager of the Ethiopian Coffee Export Association.
The discussion brought together perspectives from the financial and agricultural sectors, examining the role of banking, export development, value-chain growth, market access, and private-sector partnerships in strengthening Africa’s trade ecosystem.
Coffee, one of the continent’s important agricultural commodities, featured prominently in discussions around export competitiveness and opportunities to connect African producers and businesses with international markets.
A major milestone of the 4th ATIS was the official launch of the Pan-African Investor Card (PAFIC).
Presented as a private credential for qualified investors and business leaders, PAFIC is built around four core pillars: Prestige, Trust, Access, and Connection.
The initiative is designed to facilitate high-level business networking and strengthen connections among investors, entrepreneurs, institutions, and strategic stakeholders across African markets. Its launch represents another step in developing practical platforms that connect investors, businesses, and opportunities across the continent.
The afternoon program featured the Africa Trade and Investment Hard Talk, under the theme “From Challenges to Action.”
The session provided an open platform for stakeholders to address practical challenges affecting trade and investment across Africa, while exploring solutions related to market access, financing, business connectivity, partnerships, and investment facilitation.
Reflecting the summit’s emphasis on moving from conversation to implementation, the event also featured the recognition and announcement of Memoranda of Understanding, investment commitments, strategic partnerships, and project launches involving participating stakeholders.
These developments underscored the central objective of ATIS: creating a platform where relationships established around the summit can progress toward concrete business cooperation, investment activity, and long-term partnerships.
The summit concluded with closing reflections and key messages, followed by an exclusive luncheon for speakers, VIP guests, officials, diplomatic representatives, and invited senior stakeholders, providing additional opportunities for networking, relationship-building, and continued engagement.
The 4th Africa Trade and Investment Summit reaffirmed its role as the annual flagship platform of the Investment Center of Africa (ICOA), bringing together capital, commerce, institutions, investors, and markets around a shared focus on expanding trade and investment opportunities across Africa.
# ICOA MEDIA DEPARTMENT
