By Kobusingye Annet
H.E Dr.Sudhir Ruparelia, who is Chairman Ruparelia Group and Nepalese Consul to Uganda was the keynote speaker last week at this year’s UK-Africa Annual Trade Summit which took place on September 6, 2024, at the Mayfair Hotel, London.
This year’s summit was under the theme, ”Accelerating Growth Through Partnerships for Global Market expansion in Africa”. The 14th edition of the annual event will focus on East Africa.
This summit has also attracted government officials including Finance Minister Matia Kasaijja, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, Investment Minister Evelyn Anite and Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi, among others.
The event aimed to promote investment, expand exports, foster partnerships, and share insights on market trends and investment incentives in East Africa.
Tycoon Sudhir showcased his vast experience in entrepreneurship and business development in Uganda to the summit.
The celebrated tycoon, a born of Kasese, Western Uganda, shared how he left London in the 1980s to establish a mega business empire in Uganda and East Africa.
The summit covered various sectors, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, manufacturing, trade, and export partnerships.
Panel discussions and keynote presentations explored opportunities for investment, innovation, and growth in these areas.
Attendees included investors, entrepreneurs, financiers, and government officials from the UK and East Africa. The event provides a unique platform for networking, building partnerships, and exploring business opportunities.
Sudhir is a Ugandan business magnate and investor with huge shares in the Ruparelia Group of companies. His investments are mainly in the banking, insurance, education, broadcasting, real estate, floriculture and hotels and resorts sectors.
According to Forbes and other sources, Ruparelia is the wealthiest individual in Uganda and one of the richest investors on the Uganda Securities Exchange, with an estimated net worth of US$1.2 billion.
