Icelis Global is proud to be a Knowledge Partner of the Qatar Africa Business Forum (QABF), advancing strategic cooperation between Qatar and Africa.
The QABF in Johannesburg brought together top policymakers, industry experts, and innovators to deepen cooperation in healthcare, fashion, mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and emerging markets. It serves as a strategic platform to strengthen economic ties and explore investment opportunities between Qatar and dynamic African markets.
Under the patronage of Her Excellency Shaikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute, Reach Out To Asia, Qatar Leadership Centre, and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, the Forum opened with remarks by Her Excellency Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She emphasized mutual respect, long-term partnerships, and Africa’s immense potential.
On Day 1, sessions addressed reframing Africa’s narratives around risk and dependency. Notably, Ms Rwodah Al Naimi, Director of Investment at Qatar Fund for Development, and Dr. Omran Hamad Al-Kuwari, PhD, CEO of Forta, highlighted the continent’s dynamism, investment readiness, and innovation.
On Day 2, Icelis Global played a leading role as its Founder & CEO, Elena Athwal, moderated the key mining and energy panel, “From Extraction to Transformation: Unlocking Local Value Chains,” with Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb, UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at HBKU, and Japie Fullard, CEO of Glencore, South Africa. The dialogue explored moving beyond extraction to value-added processing, sustainable industry, and green energy, with insights from leading experts.
As Knowledge Partners, Icelis Global proudly contributed expertise in energy governance, ESG, sustainable development, and GCC–Africa partnerships. This collaboration aligns with our mission supporting responsible investment, resilient value chains, and rights-based development approaches.
We thank His Excellency Mubarak Al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Doha Forum, for his vital support, fortifying the Forum’s vision and cross-regional impact.
We also warmly thank Ms. Fatma Ali Al-Khater, CEO of Torba Market and Torba, and Head of QABF, and Maryam R. for executing such a stellar event. We are proud of the incredible work that went into making the Forum such a tremendous regional and global success.
A pleasure meeting Mr. Yousuf Al-Jaida, CEO of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, and other inspiring speakers including Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, MD MHA, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Dr Ola Brown, and Dr. Olumide Abimbola.
We appreciate all participants for their commitment to strengthening Qatar–Africa collaboration and sustainable economic growth.