Report | Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Pakistan took a decisive step to deepen its engagement with the African continent with the holding of Africa Diplomatic and Economic Conference 2026 on 20th October 2026 at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. Organized by the Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF), Pakistan Chapter, the conference was held under the theme “Strengthening Diplomatic, Trade and Investment Relations for Shared Prosperity” with special focus on the 16 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Rwanda High Commissioner H.E. Fatou Harerimana, Mauritius High Commissioner H.E Munsoo KURRIMBACCUS (Mansoor Kareem Bux) High Commissioner of South Africa H.E. Mr. Rudolph Pierre Jordaan participated in the conference.
The organizers stated that Pakistan’s current trade with Africa of USD 2 billion has potential to be increased to USD 10 billion through a joint trade strategy. The speakers emphasized reducing tariffs, resolving customs-related issues and facilitating access for Pakistani products to African markets. They said Pakistan has significant potential to increase exports of cement, textiles, rice and medical devices.
Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh – Chief Guest and Chairman of Conference. In his keynote address, he called for stronger trade and investment ties between Pakistan and African countries, particularly South Africa.
“Pakistan and South Africa could serve as gateways to major regional markets, creating opportunities for exporters and investors across Africa, Central Asia and West Asia. Pakistan’s strategic location offers access to Central and West Asian economies, while South Africa can provide Pakistani businesses a route to wider African markets.”
He identified automotive parts as a promising sector for Pakistani exports to South Africa. He urged the private sector to capitalize on emerging opportunities, and highlighted government facilitation through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He also called on overseas Pakistanis with businesses in South Africa to invest back in Pakistan and expressed confidence that Pakistan could join the G20 economies within the next decade.
The conference also featured Jamil Ahmed Qureshi, Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, and Faiz Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Irfan Soomro, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also addressed the gathering.
Former Foreign Ministry Additional Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan,Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Africa Economic Council joined the discussions. Other prominent participants included PSCTF Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon and federation Patron-in-Chief Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, Chairman of Dewan Group of Companies.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman, Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development and Research PAIDAR, participated in the conference online and expressed his best wishes for the guests attending the conference. He shed light on the tremendous potential Africa and Pakistan have to boost their trade.
Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, Patron-in-Chief, PSCTF Pakistan Chapter, a leading industrialist and head of Yousuf Dewan Companies, said the conference offered a valuable platform to strengthen Pakistan-Africa relations, promote bilateral trade and foster strategic partnerships across industry, technology and sustainable mobility.
“Yousuf Dewan Companies remains committed to Pakistan’s economic development, innovation and global collaboration. This conference will advance meaningful cooperation, lasting partnerships and shared prosperity.”
He also said African countries are emerging markets and Pakistan must focus on new export markets in the current global situation.
Muhammad Rafiq Memon, Chairman, PSCTF Pakistan Chapter said the conference will be a significant milestone in promoting trade and investment. “The initiative has the potential to transform diplomatic relations into meaningful trade and investment partnerships.
Memon described the conference as an important milestone in Pakistan-Africa relations. He said it could help strengthen trade and investment ties with African nations.
He expressed confidence that continued cooperation among the federation, government institutions and trade organisations would expand bilateral commerce. Particular attention went to member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Syed Moizuddin, President PSCTF Pakistan Chapter expressed hope that the conference would open new avenues for promoting trade cooperation, boosting Pakistani exports and further strengthening bilateral economic relations. He also led delegations to meet envoys like Ethiopian Honorary Consul Ibrahim Tawab to discuss the preparations.
Moizuddin reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to promoting trade and investment between Pakistan and African nations. He also expressed hope that the gathering would generate new business opportunities and strengthen commercial ties.
Other PSCTF office bearers present: Muhammad Shoaib Qadri, President Sindh, Noor Afshan Baloch, President Balochistan and Women Wing, Sheikh Aqeel, General Secretary Sindh.
African Diplomatic Corps – Participants and Statements
The conference was attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior diplomatic representatives from Islamabad and Karachi and delegates from 16 African countries. Discussions focused on expanding diplomatic engagement, trade and investment.
H.E. Pierre Jordan, South African High Commissioner to Pakistan represented the largest SADC economy. He welcomed Pakistan’s Look Africa Policy and discussed opportunities for Pakistan to use South Africa as a gateway to the entire Southern African region.
H.E. Munsoo Kurrimbaccus, High Commissioner of Mauritian highlighted Mauritius as a financial hub and potential partner for banking, tourism and services sector cooperation.
H.E. Tafadzwa Chiyangwa, from Zimbabwe Embassy emphasized cooperation in agriculture, mining and textiles.
H.E. Ms. Harerimana Fatu, Rwandan High Commissioner shared views on expanding trade and investment with Rwanda, particularly in IT and agriculture.
H.E. Abdur Rehman Hersi, from Somalia High Commission highlighted opportunities to expand trade and investment with Somalia.
The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in Pakistan was represented by Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Honorary Consul in Karachi.
Other Delegates in Attendance:
According to official coverage, delegates from Morocco, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire were in attendance. The 16 SADC states were the central focus.
Private Sector and Trade Bodies KCCI and FPCCI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry were brought on board to facilitate the event.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS): Chief Statistician Dr. Naeem uz Zafar pledged data support for data-driven policy planning for Pak-Africa trade.
Key Outcomes and Future Roadmap
Trade Target: Joint strategy to increase Pakistan-Africa trade from USD 2 Billion to USD 10 Billion.
Single-Country Expo in South Africa: PSCTF announced plans to hold a Pakistan single-country trade expo in South Africa to provide B2B and B2C opportunities and signing of MoUs.
Sector Focus: Textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, cement, rice, medical devices, mining, IT, tourism, financial services, engineering, real estate, chemicals and food industries.
Look Africa Policy: Both PSCTF and KCCI reaffirmed commitment to advancing Pakistan’s Look Africa Policy through joint initiatives.
The conference brought together members of the diplomatic community, government representatives and business leaders to discuss opportunities for strengthening Pakistan-Africa relations, with a focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The event provided a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas on enhancing diplomatic engagement and developing mutually beneficial economic partnerships between Pakistan and African countries.
The conference concluded with a resolve that diplomatic goodwill must now be translated into practical economic partnerships, making Karachi the starting point of a new chapter in Pakistan-Africa relations.
