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Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has called for stronger trade and investment ties between Pakistan and African countries, particularly South Africa. He highlighted opportunities to expand business links and access markets across Africa, Central Asia and West Asia.
Addressing the First Africa Diplomatic and Economic Conference 2026 in Karachi, Sheikh urged Pakistan to explore emerging opportunities in African markets. He also highlighted government efforts to facilitate foreign investment through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The minister expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic prospects. He said the country should aim to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies within the next decade.
The Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF), Pakistan Chapter, organised the conference on October 20, 2026. The event took place at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi under Sheikh’s chairmanship.
Ambassadors, high commissioners and senior diplomatic representatives from Islamabad and Karachi attended the gathering. Their discussions focused on expanding diplomatic engagement, trade and investment between Pakistan and African countries.
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Among the speakers were South African High Commissioner to Pakistan Pierre Jordan, Mauritian Ambassador Munsoo Kurrimbaccus and Zimbabwean Ambassador Tafadzwa Chiyangwa.
Rwandan High Commissioner Ms. Harerimana and Somali High Commissioner Abdur Rehman Hersi also shared their views. They highlighted opportunities to expand trade and investment with their respective countries.
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 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.
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).
Welcoming the diplomats and other participants, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui described the conference as an important platform for promoting bilateral trade and investment.
He said Pakistan and African countries had considerable opportunities to cooperate across key economic sectors. Closer engagement, he added, could create new avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Earlier, PSCTF Pakistan Chapter President Syed Moizuddin welcomed the participants. He explained that the conference aimed to turn longstanding diplomatic relations into practical economic cooperation.
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.
The conference centred on the theme, “Strengthening Diplomatic, Trade and Investment Relations for Shared Prosperity.”
Its objectives included promoting business-to-business networking and encouraging investment. Organisers also aimed to help Pakistani companies explore new markets across Africa.
The programme placed particular emphasis on the 16 member states of the Southern African Development Community. Through stronger regional engagement, the organisers hope to encourage closer links between businesses and government institutions.
At the event’s conclusion, PSCTF Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon presented commemorative mementos to participating diplomats.
The conference highlighted efforts to deepen economic links between Pakistan and African countries. However, its long-term impact will depend on follow-up engagement, new business partnerships and the conversion of proposed opportunities into trade and investment agreements.
