AFRICO stands as an essential pillar for strengthening economic ties between Spain, Portugal and West Africa

AFRICA, The Ibero-African Association of Chambers of Commerce has established itself as a vital "reference instrument" for strengthen economic relations across Spain, Portugal and West Africa. This is what he has stated Luis Padron, president of AFRICO and the Chamber of Commerce of Gran Canaria, during his speech at the Africa Spain Summit 2025, a forum sponsored by One Africa Forums in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.

Padrón emphasized the importance of personal connections as a basis for lasting commercial exchange"For a business relationship to exist, there must first be a personal relationship," he asserted. He emphasized the hard work being done to establish one. direct and permanent relationship with the Chambers of Commerce of West AfricaThis, he said, "will boost economic activity between the two regions." With a clear call for collaboration, Padrón invited African institutions to join this initiative.

Established in 2024, AFRICO is the result of the strategic collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce (FEWACCI), which brings together chambers of commerce from 20 African nations. This alliance seeks to strengthen existing economic and trade ties.

AFRICO's action plan, detailed by Padrón, is articulated in five major strategic axes: The , with the aim of strengthening the presence of Spanish companies in Africa; renewable energy, taking advantage of the Canary Islands' experience in water purification technologies; strengthening trading and commercial relations; and the real estate.

The fundamental pillars of AFRICO focus on the promoting strong and sustainable trade relations, exchange of information and best practices, boosting economic and business development projects, the establishment of a direct communication with multilateral organizations and the promoting certainty and legal security in commercial operations in the region.

The AFRICO presidency and headquarters in the Chamber of Gran Canaria gives the association a strategic competitive advantagePadrón highlighted the Canary Islands' location as "the southern border of the European Union," an archipelago with a "strong African identity and situated less than 100 kilometers from the African continent." He also emphasized the excellent connectivity From Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with "the greatest air connectivity with West Africa" and "21 direct maritime connections with African ports." In addition to connectivity, he highlighted the "best European tax incentives" for establishing businesses and the "unconditional institutional support of the Canary Islands Government."

In this context, cooperation between chambers of commerce is presented as "fundamental for collaborating in providing legal security and certainty for companies seeking to enter new markets," according to another participant at the event. The chambers are considered the "essential and guaranteeing link for catalyzing all opportunities in Africa."

Finally, a call was made to the project financing on the continentemphasizing the need to move "from trade to investment," it was stressed that "the most important step in obtaining financing is personal contact and trust," and the importance of a public-private partnership constant, considered "fundamental" to the success of the initiatives.