By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru
LONDON – The UK-Africa Women in Food and Agribusiness Investment Summit, set to take place in London from October 28th to 30th, is generating significant buzz with the recent announcement of its speaker lineup. The event, presented by WiFAI and Guzakuza, promises to be a pivotal gathering for female entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders aiming to reshape the future of food systems across the UK and Africa.
The main event, a one-day summit on October 29th at The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, will feature a powerful roster of speakers from diverse backgrounds. The announced lineup includes:
- Layla Davies from The IddyBa Foundation
- Constanza I.R. Fumarola, a Funding Designer at Inanna
- Miracle O. Ogunbowale, a Gender & Policy Specialist
- Veronica Annor, a Data Science and AI Investment Tool expert
- Janet Mulu, an International Trade Specialist
- Ayeni-W Ogungbola, a Food Manufacturer
The summit aims to address a critical issue: the significant funding gap faced by women in agribusiness. With women-led businesses in Africa receiving less than 7% of all funding and facing a $42 billion financing gap, the summit’s theme is “Redefining Investment in Food & Agribusiness for Women.” The event’s objective is to create a platform where women entrepreneurs can connect with investors, policymakers, and allies to drive real change.
In addition to the main summit, the three-day event includes a series of side events to foster networking and collaboration. A Farm/Factory tour is scheduled for October 28th, providing a hands-on look at innovation in action. The event concludes on October 30th with a Sightseeing and Networking Tour of London, offering attendees a unique blend of business and leisure.
The summit is a major initiative by Guzakuza, an organization dedicated to growing agribusiness entrepreneurs, and WiFAI (Women in Food & Ag Innovation). The hosts for the event are Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah, founder of Guzakuza Africa & UK, and Graham Varley, Director of Guzakuza UK.
This year’s event is particularly significant as it seeks to move beyond traditional forums by offering concrete opportunities for investment and collaboration. The organizers are focused on providing a platform for pitching and funding, workshops, and mentorship to help women-led startups scale their businesses. The summit is a crucial step towards bridging the gap in a sector where women are central to food production but often face systemic barriers to growth and finance.
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