A Forth Valley College delegation travelled to London recently for the first ever Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) Scotland London Africa Week.
Zak Stark, Head of Commercial Training and Delivery, and Jamie Allan, Global Partnership Manager, represented FVC to share and promote the expertise and services available to global partners at the College. This included attending events at the Embassy of the Ivory Coast, a reception at Diageo’s international HQ, and a presentation from the Rawandan High Commission accompanied by MP Chris Murray.
This landmark event, from Tuesday 26 -Thursday 28 November, offered a dynamic and enriching experience for all participants. Throughout the week, delegates had the unique opportunity to engage with African ambassadors, high commissioners, UK politicians, trade associations, partner organisations and key industry leaders.
The packed itinerary was designed to maximise time and provide numerous
opportunities for meetings, briefings, influencing, networking and doing business
across all sectors in international trade. Organisers were confident that the event will not only broaden horizons but also pave the way for fruitful collaborations and business ventures.
Other Highlights Included:
Tuesday 26 November
· Round Table at Westminster ‘Bridging Continents: Enhancing Scotland-Africa Trade Relations’ hosted by Chris Murray MP
· Travel to the House of Lords for briefing for the APPG for Africa and then a further meeting with APPG for Africa with the UK Deputy Climate Envoy for Energy Transition, reflecting on COP29
· An evening reception by kind permission of the Secretary of State for Scotland the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP – we met with key policy makers and representatives from the African business community
Wednesday 27 November
· Networking breakfast and briefing with Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
· Panel session with Angus Robertson MSP, High Commissions, SABA and Elaine Alexander, former Deputy Director-General at the Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa
· Country briefings from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa providing an in depth analysis of economic conditions, trade policies, local content and legal requirements for Scottish businesses to trade in Africa
· Fireside Chat with SABA, the Commonwealth, Royal African Society, Intelligent Africa and the Eastern Africa Association
· Open networking and 1:1 meetings between Scottish companies and African counterparts to explore specific opportunities
· Travel to Diageo and drinks reception sponsored by Interocean with African diaspora, trade exports, UK officials and key industry leaders
Thursday 28 November
· Travel to Cote d’Ivoire Embassy for a round Table and meeting with Ambassador and colleagues
· Followed by a Networking Lunch
Jamie Allan, said: “Attending the first Scotland Africa London Week, superbly organised by the Scottish Africa Business Association, provided us with a real eye opener to the vast opportunities within the continent which align with FVC’s subject matter strengths.
“It was clear from speaking with the various embassies and other stakeholders that Africa has a wealth of potential for Forth Valley College across energy and the transition, STEM, hospitality and tourism, and many more industries. More importantly, Africa is particularly interested in, and actively seeking, Scottish institutions delivering skills training in the public and private sector.
We already have some exciting opportunities to follow up with and will continue to build upon the relationships that were made during the week, not only within African countries but also within the Scottish delegation itself.
“A big thank you to Chris Murray MP who kindly sponsored the session with the Rwandan High Commissioner. It was also an experience to visit Marlborough House the Commonwealth HQ. It is a stunning building inside, and is part of the royal household, which apparently the king frequents quite a lot. There was an incredible traditional range of food served at the Ivory Coast’s Embassy, and it was pleasing to see that the Ambassador was using a Forth Valley College notebook, that I understand she picked up on a whistlestop visit to the College last December!”
