AACCI’s 8th Diplomatic Meet in New Delhi Strengthens Asia-Africa Ties With Two MoUs

The Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) convened the 8th edition of its High Level Diplomatic Meet (HLDM 2026, Series-VIII) on 24 September 2026 at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

The meet brought diplomats, government officials and business leaders from Asia and Africa together for a day of dialogue, partnership and recognition, held alongside the Asian-African Leadership Awards 2026. During the day, AACCI signed two Memoranda of Understanding and hosted the presentation of the Africa Risk-Reward Index 2026.

The meet came at a time of fast-growing economic ties between the two regions. India–Africa trade reached USD 93.69 billion in FY2025-26, up 14.39% on the previous year, according to Government of India figures.

“When Asia and Africa sit at one table, we represent more than three-quarters of humanity. Collaboration is the new currency, and today’s agreements show that this currency is already in circulation. Our task at AACCI is to turn every handshake in this room into real opportunity for enterprises on both continents.”
— Dr. G. D. Singh, Founder & Chairman, AACCI

Dr. Kishor Navandar, National President, AACCI, and Chairman & Managing Director, Blue Billion Group, added: “HLDM has become the place where diplomatic goodwill turns into business partnerships, and this year’s MoUs prove it.”

DIPLOMATIC VOICES FROM AFRICA
H.E. Mr. Peter M. Munyiri, OGW, High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to India, accompanied by Ms. Christine M. Muia, Trade Attaché, was joined by Ms. Sertse Zemelak, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in India, and Mr. Julius Tsheko, Regional Director, International Business – India & Asia-Pacific, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). The representatives commended AACCI’s efforts in convening the dialogue, expressed their pleasure at taking part, and outlined the trade and investment opportunities available in their respective countries and regions.

TWO MOUS TO DEEPEN ASIA–AFRICA COOPERATION
AACCI signed Memoranda of Understanding with two institutions, providing a framework for cooperation between them. The first was signed with M. Visvesvaraya Industrial Research & Development Centre (MVIRDC), World Trade Centre Mumbai, by Dr. G. D. Singh and Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai, who is also President of the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and a Board Member of the WTC Association, New York. The second was signed with The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), with Mr. Mahesh Khanal, General Secretary, HAN–HSWO Nepal. Nepal’s participation was further marked by the presence of Dr. Arjun Bhatta, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal.

AFRICA RISK-REWARD INDEX 2026 PRESENTED
Mr. Tom Griffin, Partner, Control Risks, addressed the gathering and presented the Africa Risk-Reward Index 2026, produced by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa. Copies of the report were distributed to all delegates.

INDUSTRY AND ENTERPRISE VOICES
The programme featured special addresses by Wing Commander Jaydev Desai (Retd.), CEO and Director, Avia LiteWings Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Ashmita Muthoora, CEO & Founder, Flow Mauritius; Advocate Jatin Sharma, Founder, Jurist & Jurist International; Mr. Sagar Sanyal, Director, ERIM Group; Mr. Mohitt Khanna, Founder, Magnifia IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Vachaspati Vempati, Chairman & Managing Director, Vegos Digitech Pvt. Ltd.; and Dr. Pawan Josh, Chairperson, BRICS International.

The meet was supported by Bosco Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. as Associate Sponsor, represented by
Mr. Sanjibkumar Bose.

LEADERSHIP AWARDS AND A CULTURAL NOTE
The day also marked the Asian-African Leadership Awards 2026, presented by Dr. G. D. Singh in recognition of leaders and organisations contributing to Asia–Africa business and cooperation. Ms. Shreetana Jha added a cultural note to the proceedings with a musical performance.

NEXT ON THE CALENDAR
AACCI’s next flagship convening is the 8th Global Business Leadership Forum (GBLF), followed by its awards, in Dubai on 23 October 2026