The Ibero-African Association of Chambers of Commerce (AFRICO) held a key meeting at the Spanish Chamber of Commerce to strengthen economic and business ties between the Iberian Peninsula and West Africa. The meeting, part of the "Business Cooperation and Training between Spain and West Africa" workshops, highlighted the enormous potential for collaboration in a global context of uncertainty, positioning Africa as a priority strategic partner for Spain and the European Union.
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The Spanish and African Chambers of Commerce have made a firm commitment to strengthen their collaboration through Africo, a platform that is emerging as the best tool for catalyze common goals growth and investment. The meeting, organized together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, was the stage to outline a roadmap focused on the promotion of investment and the opening of new markets.
Africa, a strategic partner and platform for sustainable growth
The president of the Chamber of Spain, Joseph Louis Bonet, emphasized the importance of this cooperation, noting that Africa and the Iberian Peninsula "are two regions that share interests, challenges and, above all, a enormous potential for collaboration". Bonet highlighted the essential role of the chambers of commerce in the articulation of the needs of the private sector, institutional dialogue and the promoting sustainable growth, with direct involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises.
"Africa is consolidating itself as a strategic partner "both for the European Union and, in particular, for Spain. I am convinced that AFRICO is the best platform to catalyze these objectives," said the president of the Spanish Chamber.
AFRICO was established in 2024 with the participation of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce (FEWACCI), which brings together the chambers of 20 African countries, to strengthen existing economic and trade relations between Spain, Portugal and West Africa.
AFRICA: Goals and Priority Sectors
Founded in 2024, AFRICO brings together the Spanish Chamber, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of West African Chambers (FEWACCI), representing 20 African countries.
Luis Padron, president of AFRICO and the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, detailed the Association's strategic objectives:
Strengthen business relationships, Noting that Spain exports more to Africa than to Latin America.
Create a space for identify business opportunities, where African cameras actively promote investment opportunities for Spanish companies.
Organize high level events to facilitate personal and business relations between the chambers.
Promote Spanish and Portuguese investments in West Africa, looking for European Union financing for value projects.
Regarding the sectors of collaboration, Padrón identified key areas such as tourism, renewable energy, new technologies, real estate investment and the purchase and sale of financial assets.
West Africa: A Dynamic Region of Opportunities
Aminou Akadiri, president of FEWACCI, stressed that the 15 States that make up the Federation are included in the Spain-Africa Strategic Plan 2025-2028He stressed that "Spain's main trading partner is Africa," and pointed out that West Africa is "one of the economic regions more dynamic".
Akadiri highlighted that 65% of the population is young, which creates an urgent need for employment creation, especially in the food industry.
"The strategic plan provides a extraordinary opportunity to the public sector to strengthen ties. Thanks to collaboration with commercial institutions such as FEWACCI and chambers of commerce, we want to collaborate, but under the umbrella of AFRICO. For us, it's a collaborative tool that allows us to speak with one voice to explain our strategic objectives. This collaboration will allow us build economic bridges between Spain, Portugal, West Africa and the Spanish-speaking world,” said the president of FEWACCI.
The day included detailed presentations by representatives of chambers from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, who outlined the advantages of their economies and specific business opportunities for Spanish companies. On the Spanish side, chambers of commerce from Cadiz, Granada, Malaga, Murcia, Castellón, Ciudad Real, Madrid, and Bilbao presented their strengths and interests in African markets.
The round table discussion, moderated by Jaime Montalvo, International Director of the Chamber of Spain, also had the participation of Luis Padilla (Government of the Canary Islands), Juan José Zaballa (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) and Pablo García (Foundation for the Internationalization of Public Administrations), who contributed their institutional vision to this strategic alliance.
