National, 11 June 2024: The India Africa Business Network (IABN), a non-profit fostering trade and investment connections between India and Africa, and Dharma Media Consultants (DMC), a leading brand-building and communications agency, announced their strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to harness the entrepreneurial spirit in the burgeoning India–Africa trade landscape and signifies a shared commitment to accelerating growth and business opportunities across both regions.
Dharma Media Consultants has been chosen as IABN’s strategic communications partner for the 4th India-Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit, which will be held on 18th and 19th July 2024 in Mauritius. This partnership not only aims to amplify the potential of the India–Africa trade corridor but also seeks to highlight this summit as a catalyst for cross-border investment and networking. The annual summit extols the dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems of India and Africa, bringing together top startups, industry leaders, investors, and pivotal influencers in tech, business, finance, and policy sectors.
Since its inception in 2018, IABN has emerged as a central hub for India–Africa business collaboration and as a forum that strives to raise awareness of the key players and activities in the India–Africa corridor.
Emphasising this shared vision for stronger connections, Baljinder Sharma, Convener of IABN, said, “We are excited to join forces with Dharma Media Consultants. Their expertise in strategic communication will be instrumental in raising awareness about IABN and the vast potential of the India–Africa corridor. India and Africa have had deep historical, commercial, and cultural ties, but our entrepreneurial ecosystems need better collaboration. This partnership will strengthen our efforts to connect entrepreneurs and investors, fostering stronger economic ties between India and Africa”.
Echoing his sentiments, Shutapa Paul, Founder of Dharma Media Consultants, added, “We are honoured to partner with IABN, a pioneer in facilitating cross-border business opportunities. This collaboration aligns with Dharma Media Consultants’ mission to empower impactful brands. India and Africa are natural partners and we hope to further strengthen and create greater visibility of the growing bilateral trade ties.”
In its fourth edition, the India–Africa Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit aims to build upon the historical relationship between India and Africa and establish itself as the go-to platform for entrepreneurs across the Indian Ocean for mutual collaboration. By organising meetings and focus groups and helping forge joint ventures for capital and market access, the summit aims to establish a platform that enables connections with innovative startups, pioneering ventures, cross-border facilitators, advisors, institutional investors, VCs, and family offices active in the India–Africa corridor. Notable advisory members of the IABN include Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder, Indian Angel Network Group, Tomi Davies President of Africa Business Angels Network, Sushil Jiwarjaka – well-known industrialist, Chairman of Artheon Group of Companies & Essjay Ericsson Pvt. Ltd, R. Satya Narayan – Founder CL Educate Ltd, George Zachariah, Managing Partner Launch Africa Ventures, Busisa Moyo, Founder United Refineries, Chairman, Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Ramesh Awtaney, Managing Director, iSON Group; Vuyisa Qabaka, Rainmaker and Non-Executive Director, South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum (SABEF). These integral members are expected to facilitate conversations within the India–Africa corridor.
Award-winning Dharma Media Consultants, with its specialisation in the private equity-venture capital, startup, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors, will oversee an integrated communications mandate covering branding and corporate communications for IABN. Dharma Media Consultants will also be responsible for extensive communications strategy, launching of campaigns, events communications, and industry leadership messaging and positioning.