The non-profit organization, Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) Foundation, is set to inaugurate its inaugural global secretariat office in Ahmedabad on Saturday. This office aims to provide guidance to Indian investors seeking to channel their investments into African or Asian nations.

G. D. Singh, the founder and chairman of AACCI, revealed that in the past six months, Indian investors have committed USD 7 million in investments in Africa, with 90 percent of these investors hailing from Gujarat. These investments predominantly focus on real estate, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.

Singh highlighted India’s standing as one of the top five investors in Africa, having already invested USD 74 billion in the continent, with a substantial portion originating from the state of Gujarat. The increasing magnitude of these investments prompted the establishment of the first office in Ahmedabad, with plans to open similar offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.

AACCI plays a crucial role in assisting Indian companies by conducting due diligence for proposed projects in Africa and facilitating partnerships between businessmen and suitable partners on the continent.

Singh emphasized the significant presence of the Indian diaspora in Africa, with three million people of Indian origin residing across the continent, over half of whom are Gujaratis. Particularly concentrated in East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Madagascar, and Mauritius, this diaspora has played a pivotal role in fostering local economic development.