Online event
Beyond the headlines: Unlocking East Africa's commercial potential
Wednesday 11 November at 12:00PM
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East Africa is investing heavily in infrastructure and regional connectivity to support trade, tourism and economic growth. Major programmes planned or underway across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda are creating opportunities for UK expertise in design, engineering, construction, technology and services. This session will help businesses understand the region’s priorities, identify where their capabilities can add value and consider routes into projects, supply chains and future trade activity.
What you’ll learn
- Identify infrastructure opportunities across five key East African markets and where UK expertise can add value
- Learn how to engage buyers, contractors and local partners to build successful market-entry strategies
- Understand how East Africa’s infrastructure growth is creating new opportunities and how to prepare for future trade activity and market visits
Description
Hear directly from specialists, market advisers and industry leaders about how infrastructure projects are developing across East Africa, what buyers and delivery partners need, and how procurement and partnership routes work in practice.
The discussion will provide practical guidance on positioning your business, approaching the right stakeholders and moving from initial market interest to credible commercial conversations.
Speakers
Karan Garcha
Acting Country Director, Trade and Investment, British High Commission Nairobi, UK Government
Karan has covered trade and investment at the British High Commission Nairobi since September 2026. He has been based in Kenya since April 2025, working to resolve market-access barriers faced by UK companies and supporting implementation of the UK–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement. Prior to Nairobi, Karan was Chief of Staff to the UK’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, based in Mumbai.
Sarah Hird
Acting Regional Director and Country Director for Trade and Investment for Ethiopia and Djibouti, UK Government
Sarah is based in Addis Ababa and covers Ethiopia and Djibouti. Prior to moving to Ethiopia, her career focused on economic and business policy, with roles in HM Treasury, the British Business Bank and the Government Office for Technology Transfer.