Conakry hosts 5th UK-Africa Trade and Investment Forum

WCAF 5 UK-Africa trade Conakry Simandou 2040 foreign investment

The 5th edition of the UK-West & Central Francophone Africa Trade & Investment Forum (WCAF 5) has officially launched in Conakry, Guinea. Scheduled for October 19–21, 2026, the forum aims to strengthen commercial exchanges and investment between the United Kingdom and Francophone African nations.

Atam Sandhu, a WCAF partner, noted a massive scale-up in the initiative's financial impact. Supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), global investment from the agency has grown from 30,000 pounds in 2019 to over 5 billion pounds. The forum is described as one of the fastest-growing trade networks between the UK and Africa.

The event focuses on Guinea's strategic development goals, including the Simandou 2040 vision. Key sectors for investment include mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, water, and transport. This edition marks a significant milestone as the first time the forum is hosted in a non-Commonwealth West African nation, drawing delegations from over 42 countries.

Entities

Conakry · Ismaël Nabé · UK Export Finance · United Kingdom · West and Central Africa Forum

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The UK Ambassador to Guinea stated that the Simandou 2040 program encompasses energy, water, transport, and industrialization. guineematin.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The 5th West and Central Africa Forum (WCAF 5) is scheduled to take place in Conakry from October 19 to 21, 2026. guineematin.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The forum will cover 16 Francophone countries, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea. guineenews.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] The event focuses on strategic sectors including mining, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. guineeminesnature.com
[● 2 SOURCES] UK Export Finance (UKEF) investment in the initiative has grown from 30,000 pounds in 2019 to over 5 billion pounds. guineematin.com · guineenews.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] The WCAF is one of the fastest-growing trade networks between the United Kingdom and Africa. guineenews.org

Sources

WCAF 5 : Conakry accueille un forum dédié aux investissements et au développement économique [guineeminesnature.com]

4 days ago

WCAF V : Conakry accueille le forum sur le commerce et l’investissement entre le Royaume-Uni et l’Afrique francophone [guineematin.com]

4 days ago

WCAF 5 : Conakry, capitale du dialogue Royaume-Uni–Afrique francophone [guineenews.org]

4 days ago