About this Event
UK–Africa Women in Food & Agribusiness Investment Summit 2026
About the Event
The UK–Africa Women in Food & Agribusiness Investment Summit is a high-impact platform connecting women-led agrifood businesses, investors, buyers, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders from the UK and Africa.
Last year, we reimagined GenderLens investment.
In 2026, we move from ideas to action.
This year, we are building the bridge — unlocking capital, enabling trade, and forging collaboration for UK–Africa women in agrifood.
Why Attend
Women are central to agrifood systems, yet continue to face barriers to:
- Accessing capital
- Entering new markets
- Scaling cross-border trade
- Building strategic partnerships
This summit is designed to create real opportunities, not just conversations.
What to Expect (3-Day Experience)
Day 1 – Ecosystem Visits
- Raising capital across borders
- Market intelligence briefings
- Industrial and buyer exposure visits
Day 2 – Main Summit
- High-level panels and keynotes
- Practical workshops and collaboration sessions
- Investor, buyer, and founder networking
Day 3 – Deals & Collaboration
- Deal labs and partnership clinics
- Investor and buyer follow-ups
- Action planning and next steps
Who Should Attend
- Women-led agrifood founders and entrepreneurs
- Investors, DFIs, and funders
- Buyers, distributors, and trade partners
- Diaspora founders and professionals
- Policymakers and ecosystem leaders
Outcomes You Can Expect
- Investment and trade leads
- New partnerships and collaborations
- Market access insights
- Follow-up pathways beyond the event
Be Part of Building the Bridge
The best time to co-create the future of UK–Africa agrifood is now.
👉 Register to attend
👉 Become a partner or sponsor
👉 Gift a friend
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM
Registration & Networking
Host: Kwaku Owusu Frimpong
🕑: 09:00 AM
Welcome & Official Opening
Host: Nana Adjoa Sifa
Info: SPEAKERS
▸ Nana Adjoa A. Sifa · Founder & Co-Convenor, Guzakuza Africa & UK
▸ Dr. Renuka Thakore · Founder, Global Sustainable Futures Network (GSFN)
Focus Setting the tone — bold, warm and purposeful. Welcoming delegates, investors and partners.
🕑: 09:20 AM
Keynote 1
Info: The Investment Case
Why women-led agrifood systems deliver higher returns
🕑: 09:30 AM
KEYNOTE 2
Info: Policy Commitments & Financing Framework
Case Study/SPOTLIGHT
Host: Vincentia Canacoo (nee Ocloo)
Info: A Woman Who Built It
The Nkulenu story
First indigenous food processing company from Africa to be officially certified in the USA and Europe.
Diplomatic Roundtable
Host: Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong
Info: Moderated by Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong · GM, EIB Network · Founder, Women in Sustainability Africa
SPEAKERS
▸ Cllr Dr. Elizabeth Kangethe · Councillor & Cabinet Member, Barking & Dagenham; VP, London Mayors Association
▸ Itai Michael Preston Choto · Africa54 Consultancy & Guinea Office of the President
▸ Nigeria High Commissioner ·
▸ Tunisia High Commissioner
▸ Zambia High Commissioner
▸ Lesotho High Commissioner
▸ Ghana High Commissioner (TBC)
▸ FCDO/DBT (TBC)
Focus High-level policy dialogue: what governments and institutions must commit to.
Tea / Coffee Break & Networking
Info: Curated Networking. Delegates encouraged to explore the exhibition
Panel 1: Geopolitics, UK–Africa Trade & the Future of Agrifood Systems
Host: Tanya Beckett
Info: Geopolitics, UK–Africa Trade & the Future of Agrifood Systems
Tanya Beckett framing on global geopolitics and agrifood economics, then moderates the panel.
Moderated by Tanya Beckett · BBC Broadcaster · former FT, CNBC & CNN · ex-Investment Banker · Oxford University
PANELLISTS
▸ Serigne Mansour Gaye · President, Senegal UK Chamber of Commerce
▸ Dr. Ilona Karpanos · International Trade & Economic Development Manager, Cambridgeshire CoC
▸ Fuad Abubakar Mohammed · Manager, Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company UK Ltd
▸ Joan Asante · International Trade Specialist , The Asante Group
▸ Gloria Adetula · Deputy Head of Sanctions & Licensing, Dept for Business and Trade
Focus How global shifts in trade policy, climate and capital flows are reshaping the UK–Africa agrifood opportunity.
Agrifood Pitch Showcase
Info:
Selected women-led enterprises — UK & Africa
Focus High-energy showcase. Selected pitches to investors, buyers and institutional partners.
Panel 2: Blended Finance & De-Risking: Unlocking Investment for Women in Agrif
Host: Ama Bartimeus
Info: Moderated by Ama Bartimeus · M&E Manager, Shell Foundation · Impact Investing Specialist
PANELLISTS
▸ Sandrine Henton · Managing Director, EG Capital
▸ James Church · Founder, Tenry Ventures · £200m+ raised · Author, Investable Entrepreneur
▸ Becca Jackman · Founder, AÉVRE Ltd · Enterprise Formation & Investment Readiness
▸ Thomas Balogun · Entrepreneur & Investor, NovaCore · Agro-Allied Commodity Export
▸ Ahmad Saed Alzein · House of Emirates · Harvard-certified · Cross-Border Investment & Alternative Assets
▸ Deretho Francis Zigbe · Starz Risk Solutions · Risk Management & Financial Systems
Networking Lunch
Panel 3: Climate-Smart & Resilient Agrifood Systems: The Investment Frontier
Info: PANELLISTS
▸ Veronica Annor · Principal Energy Consultant, BRE · AI, Decarbonisation & Climate-Smart Investment
▸ Dr. Nuha Eltinay · Urban Resilience & Climate Adaptation Advisor, ICLEI
▸ Michael Jones · Co-Founder, AgroReGenerations · Regenerative Agriculture & Carbon Markets
▸ Damali Ssali · Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition · Climate Finance & Trade Policy
▸ Festus Adejoro · Lecturer, University of Nottingham · Sustainable Livestock & Agribusiness
▸ Fatimah Bamisedun · Founder, Anre Solutions Ltd · Digital Agribusiness Transformation
Short Reset Break & Transition
Strategic Roundtables
Host: Joan Asante
Info: ROUNDTABLE A - Standards, Value Addition & Market Positioning
Moderated by Joan Asante · Founder, The Asante Group
SPEAKERS
▸ Mirela Soric · Founder, Colori del Vino · Market Access & Brand Positioning
▸ Ayeni-Wuraola Ogungbola · OAW Brand Consulting & Nutrifield Foods
▸ Aimee Yao · Founder, RAWE / CassaGold
▸ Dr. Rosemond Godbless Dadzie · Senior Lecturer, Univ. of Cape Coast · CEO, Fountain Foods Ltd
▸ Dr. Yaktine Elyamanim - cutting-edge lens on food innovation, formulation science
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ROUNDTABLE B
Genderlens Future Food Systems & Emerging Opportunities
Moderated by Dr. Mary Thamari · Oxford Development Impact Partners (ODIP)
SPEAKERS
▸ Dr. Harold Mayaba · Agribusiness Economist · Founder, H|M Agri-Food Consulting
▸ Chef Seema Dalvi · Dalvee Restaurant —Chef and Culinary entrepreneur
▸ Nigel Aaron CEO, Global Farmers Connect
▸ Imane Dodo · Founder, Kisé Foods
▸ Nadach Musungu · DEI Director & Gender Equity, Kantar EM
Comfort Break & Room Transition
Workshops
Info: WORKSHOP A
Investment Readiness & Bankability
FACILITATORS
▸ Becca Jackman · Founder, AÉVRE Ltd · Enterprise Formation & Investment Readiness
▸ James Church · Founder, Tenry Ventures · Author, Investable Entrepreneur
────────────────────────────────────── WORKSHOP B
Export Readiness & Market Entry
Navigating UK–Africa trade routes, compliance & SPS standards
FACILITATORS
▸ Juliet Ukpabio Archibong · Founder, FromAfricaB2B · Market Entry Strategy
▸ Nyasha Matanda · Founder, Silkebee Skincare · African Botanical Value Addition
──────────────────────────────────────
Workshop c
Resilient, Ethical & Climate-Smart Agrifood Systems
Practical tools for building sustainable, investor-ready businesses
FACILITATORS
▸ Michael Jones · AgroReGenerations · Regenerative Agriculture & Carbon Markets
▸ Sharmila Wijeyakumar · Rahab's Daughters · AI, Tech & Women's Empowerment in Agribusiness
Networking Break
CLOSING PLENARY: Reflections, Summit Communiqué Launch & A Call to Action
Info: Moderated by Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong · GM, EIB Network · Founder, Women in Sustainability Africa
CLOSING REFLECTIONS
▸ Keynote - TBC
▸ Rep from The World Bank Group ·
▸ Leticia Yankey · Voice from the ground, Farmer and Chairperson, CocoaMma Cocoa Cooperative Union and Marketing
▸ Tanya & Ama · Closing editorial framing
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle, Bryanston Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 163.22
