Africa Rocks Expo aims to celebrate African culture and demonstrate why the continent is a great place to visit, work and do business. This year’s expo, due to hold on October 23, at Hotel Russell, London, focuses on Nigeria, with the purpose of dispelling the negative misconceptions about the country. Instead, the organisers want people to know that Nigeria is a ‘forward-looking, vibrant, and innovative and a great place to invest.’ Chinnelle Anichebe of The Culture Initiative, organisers of the event said: “We chose Nigeria because not only does the UK have a large Nigerian diaspora, the country is one of the UK’s major trading partners and a fast-growing market, with GDP rising by 8.9 per cent in the last 10 years.”
A one-day event aimed at people with interest in Africa, it promises inspirational stories from Nigerians, at home and in the diaspora, who have succeeded in their personal endeavours and businesses, networking opportunities, and a focus seminar on the nation’s thriving art and culture landscape. The organisers are keen to encourage people to think and see Africa, and Nigeria differently.
Amaechi Echedolu, one of the organisers explains why London needs an expo focused on Africa. “We felt there was a gap in the market for an expo that focused on business advice and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Africa in general and Nigeriain particular offers such huge opportunities. We wanted to give people at all stages of setting up a business – whether they’re already trading, or just have an idea they want to explore – the chance to meet each others, make useful contacts and get really practical information from people who know first-hand what it’s like to do business in Africa. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some really inspiring African entrepreneurs from different business sectors and put questions to them direct.”
Activities lined up for delegates include: live poetry, African dance, a fashion show and music from the London Afrobeat Collective, who will be doing a live tribute to Fela Kuti. There will also be seminars with topics that range from doing business in Nigeria- property, import/export, and publishing – and advice on why visual merchandising for the Nigerian market is vital to getting your product noticed. According to the organisers, there will be a ‘speed networking sessions, a Q&A session with one of Africa’s leading male designer, Adebayo Jones and filmmaker, Obi Emelonye, who directed Mirror Boy and an inspirational panel of individuals that includes, Christine Ohuruogu, Olympic gold medalist, and Seyi Obakin, CEO of Centrepoint UK.
By now, all of the above should get you excited. If you need more reasons to convince you about making your way down, check out: AfricaRocksExpo
Go soak up the atmosphere and discover why Africans rock!
