A new gateway for African trade
The Africa Trade & Investment Forum is the continent's premier event for distributors, manufacturers, and investors seeking to build cross‑border commercial relationships. Hosted in Nairobi — East Africa's economic hub — the forum convenes over 1,500 participants from more than 40 countries, spanning agro‑industry, textiles, construction materials, and consumer goods.
For VECTARYS™, this forum represents a strategic milestone: it is the first event where we deploy our complete Trust & Traceability framework in an African context, connecting verified local distributors with pre‑qualified Chinese and European manufacturers.
« Africa is not a single market — it is 54 distinct economies with unique regulatory landscapes. Our role is to de‑risk the connection between African demand and global supply, providing trust, compliance, and execution at every step. »
Three pillars of the forum
1. B2B Matchmaking
Pre‑qualified one‑on‑one meetings between African distributors and international manufacturers, scheduled in advance based on verified sourcing needs and product categories.
2. Regulatory Guidance
Dedicated sessions on import/export compliance, customs procedures, certification requirements, and cross‑border payment mechanisms — led by trade law experts and customs officials.
3. Financing Solutions
Access to trade finance instruments including letters of credit, supply chain financing, and export credit guarantees — facilitated in partnership with regional development banks and commercial lenders.
Forum programme
Opening & Keynotes
Ministerial addresses, pan‑African trade outlook, and sector‑specific market intelligence briefings. Evening networking reception with all delegations.
B2B Matchmaking Sessions
Full day of pre‑scheduled 30‑minute meetings. Each participant receives a personalised agenda with supplier or buyer profiles. Interpretation services available in English, French, Mandarin, and Swahili.
Workshops & Deal Closing
Morning workshops on regulatory compliance and trade finance. Afternoon dedicated to follow‑up meetings, preliminary contract negotiation, and documentation exchange.
Ongoing Support
Within one week: complete meeting dossier and supplier scorecards. Within 90 days: dedicated VECTARYS™ account manager for contract facilitation, logistics coordination, and compliance verification.
Sectors covered
The 2027 edition focuses on five priority sectors identified through demand intelligence gathered from our African distributor network:
- Agro‑processing & Food — machinery, packaging, preservation technologies, and raw material sourcing
- Construction Materials — cement, steel products, ceramics, sanitary ware, and hardware
- Textiles & Apparel — fabrics, finished garments, footwear, and accessories
- Consumer Electronics — mobile devices, home appliances, and accessories
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals — medical devices, generic medicines, and hospital equipment
Financing solutions available
One of the biggest obstacles to Africa‑Asia‑Europe trade is access to affordable trade finance. Through our partnerships with regional financial institutions, forum participants gain access to:
- Letters of credit (L/C) at preferential rates for qualified importers
- Supply chain financing programmes with 90‑ to 180‑day terms
- Export credit guarantees through African EXIM facilities
- Working capital loans for inventory procurement
How to register
Registration is open to African distributors with a valid import licence and to Chinese and European manufacturers seeking qualified African partners. Each application is reviewed by our qualification team to ensure mutual relevance and readiness.
The participation fee includes access to all sessions, the B2B matchmaking platform, interpretation services, and the full post‑forum support package. Early‑bird rates are available until June 30, 2027.
To request the forum brochure, submit an application, or discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team at hello@vectarys.com.