New Delhi: In a remarkable display of transcontinental business diplomacy, the Rifah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RIFAH) successfully led a high-impact business mission to East Africa in May 2025, uniting over 45 entrepreneurs from India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Zimbabwe, and Turkey with business leaders and chambers in Tanzania and Kenya. The initiative marked a new milestone in Indo-African commercial relations, emphasising ethical trade, sectoral collaboration, and cross-cultural engagement.
RIFAH, a growing platform that champions minority-led enterprises and MSMEs, commenced the mission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where it hosted two powerful networking events. The first, held on 12th May at Delhi Darbar Hotel in collaboration with the Tanzania Muslim Professionals Association (TAMPRO), featured a keynote by Dr. Muhsin Salim Masud, former MD of Amana Bank and PBZ Bank. He provided an incisive overview of investment avenues in Tanzania, particularly in sectors like finance, trade, and agribusiness. RIFAH’s General Secretary Mirza Afzal Baig introduced the delegation and highlighted the chamber’s commitment to international outreach.
The following evening, 13th May, RIFAH partnered with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) to organise another impactful session. Mr. Mercy Phillips, Manager of TCCIA’s Commerce Department, extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and expressed keen interest in joint ventures with Indian businesses. Delegates represented a spectrum of industries – food processing, education, IT, and healthcare – underscoring the scope for multifaceted partnerships.
Presiding over both sessions, S. Ameenul Hasan, Chairman of RIFAH, delivered inspiring reflections on Islamic business ethics drawn from the Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, emphasising justice, trust, and community impact as cornerstones of sustainable trade. Both evenings concluded with networking dinners, where local and international stakeholders engaged in open dialogue and collaborative discussions.
Following the success in Tanzania, the RIFAH delegation continued to Kenya for a three-day business conclave series from 15th to 17th May 2025, further amplifying its efforts to build Indo-African economic bridges.
The first event on 15th May, the Kenya–India Business Conclave, was held at Park Inn Banquet Hall, Nairobi, in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the International Memon Jamaat – East Africa Chapter. It was followed by the Eastleigh Business Networking Meet on 16th May at Hotel Atis Banquet Hall, with support from the Eastleigh Business District Association, and the Nairobi Business Conclave on 17th May, held at Memon Villa Hall, South C, in partnership with Nasserpuri Memon Jamaat.
Across all events, Mr. Afzal Baig delivered opening remarks introducing RIFAH’s objectives and mission, followed by introductions from each delegate, who presented their business verticals and proposed avenues for bilateral cooperation. Leaders from Kenyan business communities welcomed the delegation and affirmed their commitment to fostering strategic partnerships.
Mr. Ameenul Hasan, again presiding, spoke on the significance of values-based commerce, emphasising the moral imperatives of transparency, fairness, and mutual benefit in global trade. Each event culminated with the exchange of tokens of appreciation and heartfelt acknowledgments for the collaborative efforts of local partners.
Beyond the formal gatherings, RIFAH delegates immersed themselves in Nairobi’s business districts, engaged in one-on-one industry meetings, and visited local enterprises aligned with their sectors. Some also explored Kenya’s rich cultural and ecological heritage, visiting landmarks such as the Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Park, and the iconic Masai Mara.
The East Africa mission, coordinated by Brother Anis Mohammad, was not only a testament to RIFAH’s organisational strength but also its unwavering commitment to global inclusivity, responsible trade, and empowering emerging markets through collaboration.
