ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has stepped up efforts to deepen its economic and people-to-people engagement with Africa, as diplomats, government officials and business leaders called for a major shift from diplomatic discussions to concrete investment and commercial partnerships.
The call came at a DICE Forum roundtable titled “Pakistan–Africa: Building People-to-People Bridges”, held at the IPC Secretariat in Islamabad on Friday, bringing together representatives from several African countries alongside Pakistani business and institutional leaders.
The session was chaired by Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while DICE Forum Chairperson Aliya Agha hosted the gathering.
Describing Africa as an “ocean of opportunity”, Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan pointed to the continent’s population of around 1.4 billion people, abundant natural resources, expanding consumer markets and significant development requirements as major openings for Pakistani businesses.
He stressed that sustainable economic cooperation could not remain confined to general discussions, urging stakeholders to focus on specific and bankable projects.
Among the opportunities highlighted were cable manufacturing factories, pharmaceutical plants, university campuses, textile units and agricultural ventures, with businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and professionals expected to become the driving force behind long-term commercial ties.
The ambassador noted that governments had a crucial responsibility to create an enabling environment, but argued that sustainable Pakistan–Africa partnerships would ultimately depend on the private sector and investment community.
People-to-People Links Put in Spotlight
DICE Forum Chairperson Aliya Agha called for Pakistan–Africa relations to go beyond trade and investment, stressing the importance of closer human connections through tourism, education, entrepreneurship, arts and cultural exchanges.
She highlighted the potential for stronger links among students, businesses and cultural communities, while pointing to persistent information and connectivity gaps that continue to influence perceptions between Pakistan and African societies.
Agha also presented the DICE Forum as a policy and development platform focused on diplomacy, inclusion, climate action and education through dialogue, partnerships and community-led initiatives.
African Diplomats Join Push for Stronger Engagement
The roundtable brought together senior African diplomatic representatives, including Morocco’s Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune, Kenya’s High Commissioner Peter Mbogo Njiru, Rwanda’s High Commissioner Fatou Harerimana, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Titus Mehliswa Jonathan Abu-Basutu and Mauritius’ High Commissioner Munsoo Kurrimbaccus.
Other participants included Mrs Fatchima Hassane Paraiso, Programme Assistant at OIC-COMSTECH, Uganda; Boniface Njuguna, Commercial Attaché at Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry; and Omar Butt, representing the Consulate of Ghana.
Pakistan’s business and institutional community was represented by Usman Shaukat, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Zahid Latif Khan, CEO of ZLK; and Shahid Iqbal Qureshi, Chairman, Ministry of Industries and Production.
From Diplomatic Meetings to Real Projects
Participants stressed that Pakistan and African countries need to move beyond occasional diplomatic interactions and establish sustained institutional, commercial and people-to-people connections.
Discussions focused on joint ventures, educational cooperation, cultural exchanges, youth engagement and collaboration on climate resilience, with participants emphasising practical mechanisms that can translate diplomatic goodwill into long-term economic opportunities.
