The Business Council for Africa will be holding a forum to discuss the special role played by the diaspora community to build business links and encourage investment with African nations. Entrepreneurs from the diaspora can be an important resource in delivering high-impact, inclusive, trade and investment in African markets, due to their unique insights into both European and African business environments. With the upcoming EU-referendum, the political importance of Commonwealth African business people resident in the UK is also clear, given the vote they have in a referendum that will have a substantial impact on the way in which British businesses trade with Africa. Speakers will highlight their successes and challenges in doing business throughout the African continent and discuss the opportunities presented by a range of markets and sectors.

Speakers

Terhas Berhe, Brand Communications

Terhas Berhe is Managing Director at Brand Communications with over 15 years’ experience in brand development and management, working across Africa and in Canada and the UK. She takes a pragmatic approach to creating and managing brands. Her hands-on management style ensures that Brand Communications’ diverse and collective thinking leads to a distinct customer experience for every client.

Terhas spearheaded the African Investment and Finance Conference in 2008 at the London Stock Exchange and has amassed an impressive portfolio of high-level contacts with the African media. She also maintains constant contact with leading figures in private and public organisations and has a strong track record in advising major corporations on engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Eric-Vincent Guichard, Homestrings

Mr. Eric-Vincent Guichard is the Founder & CEO of Homestrings.com, an electronic investment platform that caters to members of the Diaspora. Homestrings.com showcases vetted investment projects and funds that focus on development objectives chosen by the Diaspora. These projects and funds range from infrastructure to healthcare. Eric previously worked as the Portfolio Manager at the World Bank (1990-1996) where he also served as technical adviser to sovereign and multilateral institutions worldwide.

He serves on several non-profit boards, including the University of Maryland’s Center for Financial Policy – an academic think tank on policy reform. Eric lectures internationally on Diaspora engagement in economic development; Institutional investments, Entrepreneurship and Corporate Strategy.

Tola James, Nari Palm Juice

Tola James is the Chief Executive of Nari Juice an Africa-inspired health brand and social enterprise. He is also a Co- Founder of Go-Getters Global, a members only business community of ambitious opportunity makers, who want to or are running their own business in Africa.  In addition he was selected as one of 24 fellows taking part in the 21st Century Statesmanship Global Leaders Programme in the honour of the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death taught at the Møller Centre, Churchill College, University of Cambridge.