UK Envoy appointed for the UK-African Investment Summit 2024

London: Dr Alastair McPhail has been appointed Envoy for the UK-African Investment Summit 2024.

Over the coming months Dr McPhail will hit the ground running and engage with governments and organisations invited to the Summit to listen to their expectations, build partnerships, and start to make mutually beneficial opportunities for the UK and African partners a reality.

He has extensive experience of working with – and in – African countries. Most recently he was British Ambassador to Ethiopia, which included the role of Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa – from January 2019 to January 2023. He will work with Michael Tatham CMG – who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Summit – to deliver the event.

The official Twitter channel for the Summit has also launched, which will be the source for information and updates about the Summit, as well as showcase UK-African partnerships.

Minister for Africa and Development Andrew Mitchell, said: The UK-African Investment Summit 2024 aims to promote two-way trade and investment between the UK and African countries, creating jobs and growth. Our Summit Envoy will play a key role in developing the partnerships, based on respect and mutual benefit, that will lie at the heart of the Summit.

UK-AIS 2024 will bring together political and business leaders from the UK and invited countries, as well as representatives of international and regional organisations, between 23 and 24 April 2024.

UK-AIS 2024 will use the UK’s unique position as a global financial hub, leading investor in the continent and convening power to secure mutually beneficial major investments into African countries, facilitate two-way trade and investment, and support policies and reforms that boost long-term prospects for investment.

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UK is the largest holder of foreign assets in Africa (2020 figures).