Entrepreneurs are heading to Africa with the Prime Minister

Twenty companies are accompanying Petr Fiala, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, on his journey to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Participants of the business delegation to Africa led by Jan Rafaj, the President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, will take part in negotiations with local partners, business forums, and visits to enterprises and development programmes. The goal is to enhance business relations with the respective countries in the fields of defence, engineering, agriculture and healthcare industries as well as finance and logistics.

Africa is an increasingly significant strategic partner for the Czech Republic and the EU in the areas of international politics, security and business. Considering the increasing influence of Russia and China in Africa, Czech companies strive to boost their presence, realize the potential of African markets and support relations based on mutual respect and collaboration.

“I am delighted to participate in this delegation to Africa with the Prime Minister. For years, our Confederation has emphasized that the Czech export must be directed beyond Europe. Africa is a great region for diversification of our domestic export. The selected countries are regional leaders in technology, industry and innovation. At the same time, the region is geopolitically strategic as it offers numerous opportunities for future collaboration with Czech companies,” says Jan Rafaj, President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, who leads this significant business delegation.

„My government transforms the approach to Africa. It is a continent with a huge potential for our companies. We want to help them open the doors to these markets, and so this journey is accompanied by the Confederation of Industry of the CR. Czech companies have a great reputation abroad, and Africa is an important partner both for Czechia and the EU. During this visit, I am going to meet leaders of the respective countries and make sure to give my full support to Czech companies,” says Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

The Prime Minister is setting out for Africa on Friday 3 November together with top executives of 12 Czech companies. More entrepreneurs will join the delegation gradually in the destination countries. Altogether, the delegation led by the Confederation of Industry will be joined by representatives of twenty companies.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CZECH COMPANIES

With this delegation, exporters are visiting five African countries with vast business opportunities in each of them. The increasing demand for modernization of healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure and defence in Ethiopia provides attractive prospects for Czech companies. In this country, the delegation participants will also have a chance to make a tour of local enterprises and development projects.

Kenya is among technology leaders in eastern Africa. It is also known as the “Silicon Savannah” as its ICT sector has grown in average by 10.8% per year since 2016 and become a key driver of new jobs and the economic growth impacting all other sectors – and this also opens the window of opportunity for Czech technology and digital companies.

Nigeria is our long-term and reliable partner. With its economic backbone in the petroleum industry, the country plays a key role in the ECOWAS. The Nigerian market is huge and unsaturated with loads of possibilities.

Ghana is among top five business partners of the Czech Republic in sub-Saharan Africa. Its new industrial policies offer many opportunities for Czech exporters in the healthcare, agriculture, defence and technology industries.

Main business opportunities for Czech companies in Côte d’Ivoire include agriculture, transportation infrastructure, energy and pharmaceutical sectors. The business forum in Abidjan will mainly focus on collaboration in agriculture and manufacturing industries.

For more details, see also the press release (in czech) of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic.

THE CONFEDERATION OF INDUSTRY HAS ORGANIZED BUSINESS DELEGATIONS FOR 30 YEARS

In 2023, the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic commemorates the 30th anniversary of business delegations accompanying governmental representatives. The Confederation has organized 219 business delegations to more than a hundred countries around the world and has helped more than 5,000 Czech companies and entrepreneurs to participate. More delegations to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Romania and India are planned this year.