PACCI Hosts IATF Ambassadors’ Cocktail: A Gathering to Strengthen Africa’s Trade Future

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PACCI Hosts IATF Ambassadors’ Cocktail: A Gathering to Strengthen Africa’s Trade Future
By PACCI Secretariat | May 14, 2025

On May 9, 2025, the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) hosted an exclusive Ambassadors’ Cocktail Reception in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote and mobilize support for the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025).

This high-level networking event convened a diverse and distinguished group of guests, including ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from 18 countries—Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Mozambique, Algeria, Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Chad, and Gabon. In addition, the cocktail brought together leaders from the private sector, national and international organizations, and trade-focused institutions, all unified by a shared commitment to advancing Africa’s trade agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Building Bridges Between Diplomacy and Trade

The evening was warmly opened and moderated by Ms. Wincate Muthini, PACCI’s Senior Programs Manager, who shared key insights into PACCI’s role in linking policy to enterprise and facilitating sustainable, continent-wide trade growth.

A series of impactful speeches followed:

  • Mr. Oswald Chinyamakobvu, Senior Technical Advisor on Quality Infrastructure at the African Union Commission (AUC), spoke on behalf of Ms. Ron Osman, Director for Industry, Mining, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the AUC. His remarks emphasized the need for harmonized quality infrastructure to unlock Africa’s industrial potential and enhance trade competitiveness.

  • Representing Afreximbank, Dr. Brian Mureverwi delivered a focused message on the Bank’s strategic commitment to intra-African trade and presented a video showcasing key highlights of IATF 2025, its impact, and opportunities.

  • A Representative from the AUC also reinforced the continental momentum building around IATF 2025 and acknowledged PACCI’s leadership in convening business and policy actors.

  • Mr. Phillip Bvweka, Managing Director of the Atlas Convention, presented the vision behind the Convention and how it complements IATF’s mission by offering another powerful platform for engagement, business, and innovation across Africa.

Strengthening Collaboration for IATF 2025

The evening was more than ceremonial—it served as a strategic moment to align embassies, businesses, and development organizations ahead of IATF 2025. As conversations flowed across the room, new collaborations were seeded and existing relationships reinforced.

With PACCI continuing to play a central role in preparing stakeholders for IATF 2025, this Ambassadors’ Cocktail reaffirmed the value of shared spaces where diplomacy, business, and development converge to shape Africa’s economic transformation.