FIEO & DP World Host Interactive Session to Unlock Africa’s USD 430 Billion Import Market

By Admin

24 Feb, 2026

India is steadily strengthening its global trade partnerships, and Africa has emerged as one of the most promising growth frontiers. In a significant move to enhance bilateral trade, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), in collaboration with DP World, hosted an interactive session titled “Exploring Export Potential of the African Market with Bharat Africa Setu” in Mumbai.

The session aimed to create a cost-effective and efficient trade bridge for Indian exporters to tap into Africa’s estimated USD 430 billion import market.

Introduction to Bharat Africa Setu

At the heart of this initiative is Bharat Africa Setu, a strategic platform designed to simplify and streamline trade between India and Africa. With a clear vision to double India’s export share to Africa from 6.5% to 12% by 2030, the platform focuses on:

• Providing seamless logistics support
  
  

• Enhancing market access
  
  

• Reducing trade costs
  
  

• Strengthening supply chain efficiency
  
  

The initiative reflects a strong commitment to empowering Indian exporters with the tools, networks, and regulatory guidance needed to succeed in diverse African markets.

Leadership Insights and Strategic Vision

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Khushwant Jain, Regional Chairman (WR), FIEO (WR), emphasized the immense untapped potential in African economies. He highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and structured trade ecosystems in expanding India’s export footprint.

Mr. Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and Managing Director – Sub-Saharan Africa Region, DP World, elaborated on DP World’s extensive logistics network across Africa. He explained how Bharat Africa Setu can serve as a seamless trade gateway for Indian exporters, ensuring efficient cargo movement and last-mile connectivity across the continent.

Further strengthening the discussion, Mr. William Sears, Chief Commercial Officer – Logistics, DP World, and Mr. Zeeshan Mukhi, Vice President – Freight Forwarding, DP World, shared valuable insights on integrated logistics solutions. Their focus was on minimizing operational costs, enhancing supply chain visibility, and ensuring faster turnaround times for exporters.

Government Support and Regulatory Guidance

Adding a regulatory perspective, Mr. Backiyavelu Mutharasu, Deputy DGFT, Mumbai, provided key insights into export regulations and outlined government support mechanisms available to Indian exporters. His address reinforced the government’s commitment to facilitating export-led growth through policy support and simplified compliance processes.

Mr. Mrigank Gupta, Managing Committee Member, FIEO, and Mr. Rishi Kant Tiwari, Director & Regional Head, FIEO (WR), also encouraged exporters to strategically leverage the Bharat Africa Setu platform. They emphasized the need for proactive market exploration and structured engagement with African buyers.

Why Africa Matters for Indian Exporters

Africa represents a rapidly growing consumer base with rising demand across sectors such as:

• Pharmaceuticals
  
  

• Engineering goods
  
  

• Textiles
  
  

• Food and agricultural products
  
  

• Automobiles and spare parts
  
  

With urbanization, infrastructure development, and increasing purchasing power across African nations, the continent offers vast opportunities for Indian manufacturers and exporters.

A Step Toward Stronger India–Africa Trade Relations

The interactive session witnessed strong participation from exporters and industry stakeholders. It served as a powerful platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment.

By combining FIEO’s trade expertise with DP World’s robust logistics network, Bharat Africa Setu is positioned to become a transformative initiative in India–Africa trade relations. The collaborative effort marks another important step toward accelerating export-led growth and unlocking new global opportunities for Indian businesses.

As India aims to expand its footprint in emerging markets, initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu demonstrate how strategic partnerships, logistics innovation, and policy support can collectively drive sustainable trade expansion.