More than 560 delegates from 442 companies across ten fast-growing African economies came together for the fourth edition of the West and Central Africa Forum (WCAF) IV from 12th to 13th November, 2025 in Lomé, Togo.
Hosted for the first time outside London, the event marked a significant milestone in the UK's commitment to deepening partnerships in francophone West and Central Africa. This strategic move underscores the growing importance of African markets and the UK's long-term investment in bilateral trade relationships.
Historic Milestone
"This year's WCAF IV represents a high watermark in the trading relationship between the UK and the Francophone nations of West and Central Africa."
Key Focus Areas Driving Mutual Growth
The two-day forum zeroed in on sectors that promise mutual growth and sustainable development between the UK and African partners:
Infrastructure Development
Building sustainable infrastructure to support economic growth and regional connectivity
Renewable Energy
Advancing green growth and sustainable energy solutions across the region
Digital Transformation
Accelerating technological adoption and digital infrastructure development
Finance & Opportunity
Boosting access to competitive financing and creating new market opportunities
UK Export Finance: Driving Economic Partnerships
The UK Export Finance (UKEF) is playing a central role in facilitating these partnerships. Through this forum, UKEF is helping francophone private-sector businesses access competitive financing, while also opening new markets for UK firms.
Success Story: Guinea Mining Project
Since last year's forum, UKEF backed a local mining contractor in Guinea with an $11 million guarantee, linking UK capabilities with African enterprise and creating sustainable jobs. This demonstrates the tangible impact of the forum in driving real economic outcomes.
Leadership Perspectives
"Africa is home to some of the world's fastest growing markets. It is a diverse, vibrant, innovative, and abundant continent, offering a vast array of opportunities for UK businesses looking to export and invest. WCAF IV is a powerful platform to deepen our partnerships, drive inclusive growth, and unlock the potential of UK-African collaboration."
— John Humphrey, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Africa
"This year's WCAF IV represents a high watermark in the trading relationship between the UK and the Francophone nations of West and Central Africa with over 600 government and industry leaders travelling to Lomé with the largest single delegation made up of the UK's private sector. The choice of Togo is significant; a signal that the UK's commitment is not distant or occasional, but local, practical and long-term - built on mutual confidence, strengthened bilateral ties, and a shared determination to be partners for the long-term."
— Atam Sandhu, CEO, DMA Invest
"WCAF provides an excellent opportunity for UK businesses to build long-term partnerships across Africa, promoting jobs and growth at home. We've seen numerous deals agreed in previous years, showcasing how UKEF can make a real difference around the world whilst filling the order books of UK companies. I'm sure WCAF IV will be no different."
— Tim Reid, CEO, UK Export Finance
Forum Impact and Strategic Significance
Strengthened Bilateral Ties
The forum has become a cornerstone platform for strengthening UK-Africa trading relationships since its inception in 2022, with growing participation each year.
Private Sector Engagement
The largest single delegation consisted of UK private sector representatives, demonstrating strong business interest in African markets.
Local Economic Impact
Hosting in Togo signals a commitment to local engagement and provides economic benefits to the host country through tourism and business spending.
Future Collaboration Pipeline
The forum has established a pipeline for future deals and partnerships, with UKEF ready to support additional projects following the successful Guinea example.
A New Era of UK-Africa Partnership
The successful hosting of WCAF IV in Togo marks a pivotal moment in UK-Africa relations. By moving the forum to African soil for the first time, the UK demonstrates its commitment to building genuine, locally-rooted partnerships. The event not only facilitates immediate business deals but also lays the foundation for long-term economic cooperation that benefits both UK companies and African economies through job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development.