Trade and investment between Asia and Africa will depend increasingly on stronger local networks, clearer regulation and closer cooperation between business and government, according to M. J. Puri, Director General of the Asia Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In a recent interview, Puri said the chamber’s purpose was rooted in long-term economic partnership. “AACCI serves as a strategic bridge between Asia and Africa, fostering trade, investment, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and institutional collaboration,” he explained. “Our mission is to create sustainable economic partnerships and strengthen South-South cooperation.”
That role is becoming more visible as businesses across Africa and Asia look for new markets, investment partners and supply chains. Puri said AACCI’s expansion strategy is being shaped by the need to work closer to the ground, particularly through national chapters that can connect local business communities with regional and international opportunities.
“Our growth is driven by the need for local engagement through country chapters that facilitate business networking, trade promotion, investment opportunities, and policy dialogue,” Puri told SiGMA News.
Through these country chapters, AACCI gives companies, chambers, investors and institutions a direct route into conversations that often stall because of distance, limited market knowledge or lack of trusted contacts.
Agriculture, energy and technology among priority sectors
Puri said the scope for cooperation is not confined to one industry, with opportunities spread across both established sectors and fast-growing digital fields.
“Agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, education, fintech, AI, logistics, and digital transformation remain the strongest sectors for collaboration,” he said.
The list reflects the scale of economic overlap between the two regions. Many African economies are seeking investment in infrastructure, industrialisation, healthcare and digital services, while Asian companies are looking for new partnerships, production bases and growth markets. AACCI says its role is to bring those interests into a more structured framework.
The Director General also acknowledged that the opportunity is not without obstacles. “Information gaps, financing constraints, logistics challenges, regulatory complexity, and limited institutional connectivity,” he said, were among the main barriers limiting cooperation.
He said AACCI works to address those barriers “through partnerships and trade facilitation.”
Puri stressed that governments and businesses cannot build these links alone. “It is essential,” he said of cross-sector collaboration. “Governments, businesses, academia, and development institutions must work together to create sustainable economic growth.”
Startups and digital industries move into focus
AACCI is also looking closely at entrepreneurs, startups and emerging digital sectors. Puri said the chamber supports entrepreneurs “through networking, international exposure, investor access, mentorship, trade missions, and business development platforms.”
That support is likely to become more important as smaller companies and technology-led businesses seek access to investors and cross-border networks. Puri said gaming, entertainment and technology are becoming more important economic sectors.
“These sectors are becoming major economic contributors through innovation, digital transformation, job creation, and technology adoption,” he said.
He added that AACCI could help build responsible growth in these areas by bringing together different players. “AACCI can facilitate dialogue among investors, regulators, technology providers, and entrepreneurs to support responsible growth,” he argued.
Regulation, he suggested, will be central to whether fast-growing sectors can attract confidence and capital. “Transparency, compliance, and responsible governance are fundamental to sustainable industry growth and investor confidence,” he said.
Looking ahead, Puri said AACCI’s ambition is clear: “To become the leading Asia-Africa business bridge that drives trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development across both continents.”
For AACCI, that means continuing to build platforms where business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, chambers and institutions can meet, exchange ideas and turn regional potential into practical partnerships.
Source : Asia-Africa cooperation could unlock new gaming opportunities
