Leaders and heads of state from 24 African countries will take part in the second Africa Investment Summit in London on April 23rd and 24th.

The announcement was made in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, during a visit by the British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.

According to the communiqué that MZNews has seen, the summit aims to strengthen UK-Africa partnerships with the aim of creating jobs and growth, supporting British and African talent in areas such as the financial and technological sectors, and will promote women entrepreneurs.

It will be based on the results of the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020, as well as the (virtual) UK-Africa Investment Conferences held in 2021 and 2022.

It should be noted that the 2020 UK-Africa Investment Summit was an important milestone in "our partnerships with African countries, resulting in the announcement of £6.5 billion in deals, plus £8.9 billion in investment commitments.

Virtual conferences in the following years led to new links between UK and African companies, with over 3,000 delegates from both sides looking at future opportunities to boost business, with a focus on environmentally-friendly growth opportunities across the continent.

Statistical data indicates that by 2050, Africa will have a population of 2 billion people, half of whom will be under the age of 25.

Over the next two years, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience economic growth above the global average.

And at a time when the world is facing the clear and shared challenge of climate change, the UK is working with African countries to support them in mitigating and adapting to its effects, recognizing the continent's abundant potential in renewable energies of the future.

"If we are to grow the UK economy, create opportunities for growth and strengthen our economic security, we must deepen our ties with partners around the world," said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"This summit will ensure that we are able to harness the potential of our relationships across Africa and grow our economies together, making them stronger, more resilient and more innovative," he added in the statement.

By boosting business-to-business links, commercial opportunities and investments, UK-AIS will help harness this potential for mutual prosperity, economic growth, employment and a global transition to green energy.

For the Business Minister, the UK's trade and investment relations with countries across the African continent lead to significant mutual economic benefits for all.

"In affirming the UK's position as a leading investor in Africa, this second London Investment Summit will build on the successes we have achieved since 2020, which have combined the strengths, innovations and expertise of the UK and our partners across Africa to support reliable, sustainable and long-term investment," he said.