Hazras Charity Foundation

Date: 17th February 2025
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Overview of the Meeting

The Africa Business Forum 2025 was a crucial platform for discussing Africa’s development projects, fostering partnerships, and networking with key stakeholders. Although the meeting time was limited, it provided valuable opportunities for HCF to engage with influential decision-makers across various sectors.

Key Engagements and Networking

During the forum, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with high-profile leaders and representatives from global and regional institutions. I presented the Hazras Charity Foundation’s (HCF) mission, achievements, and future plans to the following key figures:

1. President of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – Discussed trade policies and potential support for social enterprises.

2. Representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB) – Explored funding opportunities for community development projects.

3. European Union Special Envoy for African Development – Spoke about possible collaboration in areas like education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

4. Alem Maski (World’s First Millionaire of African Investors Department) – Engaged in discussions about impact investment in African NGOs.

5. South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture – Discussed agricultural sustainability and food security projects.

6. Morocco’s Minister of Water and Mines – Addressed water resource management and rural infrastructure development.

7. Vice President of the South African Delegation – Explored strategic alliances for regional growth.

8. Additional Stakeholders – Other high-level officials from development agencies, private sector investors, and government representatives.

Each of these stakeholders received HCF’s official brief, including our track record of achievements and future development goals.

Key Areas of Interest from Stakeholders

The discussions highlighted a strong appreciation for HCF’s impact across multiple sectors, including:

1) Humanitarian aid and community development

2) Education and healthcare support initiatives

3) Women and youth empowerment programs

4) Sustainability, climate action, and economic development

Stakeholders showed keen interest in exploring partnerships, funding collaborations, and technical support for HCF’s initiatives, particularly in Northern Nigeria, Ghana, and Afghanistan.

Outcome and Next Steps

1. Follow-Up Communications – I exchanged business cards and contact details with key figures, and I will initiate follow-up discussions.

2. Strategic Proposals – We will draft partnership proposals tailored to the interests of the organizations we engaged with.

3. Project Expansion Plans – We aim to leverage these connections to scale HCF’s impact in community development, education, and healthcare.

4. Collaborative Initiatives – Potential joint projects with African governments, development banks, and the private sector.

Conclusion

The Africa Business Forum 2025 was a remarkable success for Hazras Charity Foundation. Despite time constraints, we maximized our engagement by securing valuable connections and advocating for sustainable development in Africa. Moving forward, we will capitalize on these opportunities to strengthen our partnerships, expand our programs, and create lasting social impact.

Prepared by:
Said Abdirisak Egal
Youth Empowerment Volunteer Officer, HCF