Story: Mohammed A. Abu
Cross-border investment in West Africa is a complex mix of formal Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) concentrated in key hubs like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, and massive Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) that supports local livelihoods.
While regional integration efforts remain high, investors face challenges such as infrastructural deficits, regulatory inconsistencies, and security issues
Key Drivers and Sectors
Mineral Resources & Energy: Mining (bauxite, manganese, gold) and infrastructure projects are the primary recipients of capital. Substantial multinational and regional capital flows target energy transitions and clean energy corridors.
Agro-Industrial Cooperation
Initiatives like the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana common agro-industrial park are serving as models for cross-border value chains, boosting climate-smart agriculture.
Financial Services
Regional banks, particularly Togo-based Ecobank and Nigeria-based groups like UBA, Guaranty Trust, and Access Bank, remain the largest drivers of intra-regional corporate investment, operating extensive networks across the sub-region
In come EDB’s Mission
It is therefore against this backdrop that the importance of a promotional mission for the financial services sector to West Africa covering three African countries, namely, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana from the 18th to 22nd of May 2026, being organized by the Economic Development Board of Mauritius (EDB) could be best appreciated.
Objectives
The key objectives of the mission are to promote the jurisdiction as a risk-mitigating platform for cross-border investment and showcase the panoply of products and services offered by the Mauritius International Financial Centre.
The mission will comprise business forums in each country, opportunities for roundtable sessions and one-to-one business meetings with potential companies, including law firms, accountancy firms, financial intermediaries, amongst others.
The schedule of the mission is as follows: Country Date Nigeria (Lagos) 18- 19 May 2026 Business Forum – 18 May 2026 (Afternoon) Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan) 20-21 May 2026 Business Forum – 21 May 2026 (Morning) Ghana (Accra) 22 May 2026 Business Forum – 22 May 2026 (Afternoon)
Private Sector Participation
The EDB is inviting private sector representatives to participate in the mission to West Africa by way of sponsoring. By being a sponsor to the event, private sector representatives will be able to connect and network with investors, stakeholders, corporates and affluent individuals by attending the business forums in each targeted country.
Sponsorship Packages
The EDB has devised three sponsorship packages to cater for the participation of Mauritian businesses and corporates.
The three sponsorship packages available are as follows: A. Diamond – MUR 400,000 B. Gold – MUR 150,000 C. Silver – MUR 80,000 A) Diamond Package (MUR 400,000) The Diamond
Sponsorship is the most premium package available and provides access to the full range of benefits offered by the EDB for participation in this mission.
These include extensive branding and marketing opportunities, as well as business development prospects. This exclusive package is limited to three companies only, on a first come, first serve basis.
It ensures significant brand positioning and maximum visibility for your company during the mission. The exclusive benefits offered under the Diamond Sponsorship are as follows:
Benefits
Diamond Package Branding as Diamond Sponsor Logo placement on all marketing materials, Logo placement on event backdrop in business forums, Company executive participation in panel discussions across all business forums – two panellist slots and one moderator slot (1 slot per country), Number of passes for business forums 3 Booth/ desk in business forums, Closing remark in one business forum and Full attendees list provided.
- B) Gold Package (MUR 150,000) A Gold Sponsorship ensures impactful brand visibility in the business forums and during the mission to West Africa. Gold sponsors can participate as panellist in one panel discussion in one business forum. The benefits of the Gold Sponsorship are as follows:
Benefits Gold Package Branding as Gold Sponsor √ Logo placement on all marketing materials √ Logo placement on event backdrop in business forums √ Company executive participation in one panel discussion in one business forum √ Number of passes for business forums 2 Full attendees list provided
- C) Silver Package (MUR 80,000) A Silver sponsorship ensures brand visibility during the mission to West Africa. This package provides a good opportunity for those interested in positioning their brand on marketing initiatives during this roadshow.
The offering of the Silver Sponsorship is as follows: Benefits Silver Package Branding as Silver Sponsor, Logo placement on all marketing materials, Logo placement on event backdrop in business forums √ Number of passes for business forums and 1 Full attendees list provided for 1 business forum of your choice.
For further clarification, please contact finserv@edbmauritius.org .
SOURCE
EDB MAURITIUS WEBSITE