Ugandan billionaire businessman and philanthropist Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia will return as a keynote speaker at the 15th UK–Africa Business Summit, scheduled for Friday, 12th September 2025, at the iconic Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place in London.
Organised by The Promota Africa, the annual summit is a premier platform that brings together African and UK government officials, investors, and business leaders to deepen strategic engagement around trade, investment, and sustainable development.
Dr. Ruparelia, who also spoke at the 2024 edition of the summit, is the Chairman and majority shareholder of the Ruparelia Group, one of East Africa’s largest and most diversified business conglomerates. His return this year reinforces his standing as a key voice in the ongoing transformation of Africa’s private sector.
A Respected Voice in Africa’s Economic Story
As founder and Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia has built an extensive investment portfolio spanning real estate, hospitality, education, agriculture, insurance, and banking. Under his stewardship, the Group has grown into a dominant force in Uganda’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and anchoring key industries.
Dr. Ruparelia is widely respected for his business acumen, but also for his unwavering belief in Africa’s ability to chart its own economic path. He has consistently advocated for an enabling policy environment, stronger diaspora involvement, and the strategic deployment of African capital. His insights—shaped by decades of entrepreneurship—reflect a deep grasp of both regional dynamics and global investment trends.
At this year’s summit, he is expected to share perspectives on scaling enterprises through accessible finance, investing in ethical and traceable agri-business, and building resilient infrastructure for Africa’s urban future. His participation is seen as a vital bridge between homegrown business experience and global investor interest.
A Power-Packed Speaker Line-Up
The 2025 summit features a distinguished lineup of speakers from across governments, global institutions, and the private sector. Leading the list is Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth, whose keynote underscores the summit’s international stature.
Uganda’s leadership will be prominently represented. Confirmed speakers include:
- Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of Parliament
- Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
- Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury
- Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs
- Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development
- Hon. Evelyn Anite, State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatisation
- Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
- Hon. Musa Ecweru, Minister of State for Works and Transport
- Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs
These public sector leaders will share insights on trade, energy, finance, infrastructure, and investment promotion. Their presence reflects the summit’s emphasis on aligning public policy with private sector innovation to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
Dr. Ruparelia’s inclusion in this elite group adds a crucial entrepreneurial lens to the conversation—one grounded in practical experience, risk-taking, and long-term vision.
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Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the UK–Africa Business Summit has matured into a key convening point for those seeking to shape the future of UK–Africa relations. The 2025 edition is designed to go beyond dialogue, focusing on forging actionable partnerships that unlock capital, scale innovation, and drive inclusive growth.
The summit will spotlight investment-ready projects across energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, ICT, and financial services. With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050 and rapid urbanisation underway, participants will explore strategic responses to both emerging challenges and massive growth opportunities.
Delegates can expect sessions that move from ideas to execution—linking investors with credible ventures, matching SMEs with diaspora-led capital, and advancing public-private collaboration to develop smart cities, green energy, and digitally enabled economies.
Summit Organisers and Supporters
The summit is organised by The Promota Africa, a UK-based platform renowned for fostering cross-continental trade and investment engagement. With a strong track record of convening business forums and diaspora networks, Promota Africa continues to be a driving force in strengthening UK–Africa economic ties.
The 2025 edition is backed by a coalition of key institutions including:
- Uganda High Commission UK
- UK Department for Business and Trade
- UK Export Finance
- The Governments of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
Private sector players are also playing a major role. Key supporters include:
- Ruparelia Group
- EW Properties
- World Book of Records – London
- National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA)
- North London Youth Organisation
This broad-based support reflects the summit’s inclusive model—one that cuts across sectors, borders, and institutional boundaries.
Registration & Contact
The 15th UK–Africa Business Summit will take place on Friday, 12th September 2025 starting at 9:00 AM in London.
📍 Venue: The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place
🌐 Register: www.ukafricasummit.uk
📞 Contact: +44 7868 855 951
