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Media release

Media release

Proud partner of the TIPS Forum 2025

28 July 2025

Exploring how together we can advance regional integration and drive inclusive industrial development within the AfCFTA.

Absa is proud to partner with Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) for the annual TIPS Forum, taking place from 30 to 31 July 2025 at the IDC Auditorium in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a wider audience joining virtually. 

Themed “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Regional Integration and Industrial Development”, this year’s forum will explore how the AfCFTA can be a catalyst for industrial growth, cross-border trade and deeper economic integration across Southern Africa. 

As part of the forum’s knowledge contributions, Absa’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) team will share a research paper proposing a new conceptual framework centred on the design and operationalisation of regional industrial hubs. 

Said Stephen Seaka, Managing Executive: Public Sector and Growth Capital Solutions,  at Absa CIB: “The real power of the AfCFTA lies in implementation. We believe that through meaningful partnerships and platforms like the TIPS Forum, public and private sectors can co-create industrial pathways that accelerate Africa’s inclusive growth. This is how we shift from ideas to infrastructure, from intention to impact, because transformation depends on collaboration, and our role is to enable both.” 

Absa takes a holistic, ecosystem-based view of economic development in Africa, recognising the continent not as a collection of isolated markets or sectors, but as an interconnected landscape of opportunity. With a strong Pan-African presence, the bank facilitates cross-border trade and investment in alignment with the ambitions of the AfCFTA. Through a profound understanding of regional interdependencies and the deployment of innovative trade and development finance solutions, Absa is uniquely positioned to drive integration, unlock shared economic value and support inclusive growth across the continent. 

David Mparutsa, Pan-Africa Head: Enterprise and Supplier Development at Absa CIB, will present a new conceptual framework for regional industrial integration in Africa at the forum.  

The TIPS Annual Forum is widely regarded as a critical platform for evidence-based, policy-relevant dialogue. This year, over 150 in-person delegates and up to 300 virtual participants are expected to attend, representing a cross-section of voices from government, business, academia and civil society. Absa’s investment in this forum extends beyond funding. It’s about catalysing real, regional progress.  

“Whether through value chain development, trade finance innovation or institutional partnerships, we’re focused on helping Africa move from ambition to delivery. The continent’s growth story is being written in real time, and we’re proud to contribute to the pages that follow,” said Mparutsa. 

“Inclusive development doesn’t happen by chance; it’s shaped through dialogue, co-creation and decisive action. TIPS continues to convene policy conversation that promotes practical, regional outcomes. As a proudly Pan-African bank, we support a platform dedicated to unlocking long-term opportunities across the continent,” said Dr Steven Zwane, Acting Managing Executive: Stakeholder Engagement at Absa Group.  

“Absa’s funding of this year’s forum aligns with our broader strategic positioning on the continent, including our contribution to global policy platforms such as the G20 and B20, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard on trade, investment and inclusive growth,” Zwane added. 

Looking to the future: participation of the private sector in initiatives such as the annual TIPS Forum remains essential in shaping an integrated Africa capable of competing globally, connecting meaningfully and growing collectively. Through such collaboration, dialogues and engagements that are followed by intentional actions, Africa’s story of industrialisation and trade is not only being imagined, but being realised.  

“We thank Absa for their support and contribution towards this forum, and for thereby highlighting their commitment to Africa’s regional integration and industrial transformation,” said Dr Saul Levin, Executive Director at TIPS. 

As a strategic partner at this year’s TIPS Forum, Absa reaffirms its commitment to Africa’s development priorities, not only through financial solutions, but also through insights, collaboration and institution-building. This association aligns with the Group’s broader strategy to drive industrial development, enable cross-border trade and support regional integration across the continent.  

For media queries, please contact:

prmedia@absa.co.za 

28 July 2025

Exploring how together we can advance regional integration and drive inclusive industrial development within the AfCFTA.

Absa is proud to partner with Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) for the annual TIPS Forum, taking place from 30 to 31 July 2025 at the IDC Auditorium in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a wider audience joining virtually. 

Themed “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Regional Integration and Industrial Development”, this year’s forum will explore how the AfCFTA can be a catalyst for industrial growth, cross-border trade and deeper economic integration across Southern Africa. 

As part of the forum’s knowledge contributions, Absa’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) team will share a research paper proposing a new conceptual framework centred on the design and operationalisation of regional industrial hubs. 

Said Stephen Seaka, Managing Executive: Public Sector and Growth Capital Solutions,  at Absa CIB: “The real power of the AfCFTA lies in implementation. We believe that through meaningful partnerships and platforms like the TIPS Forum, public and private sectors can co-create industrial pathways that accelerate Africa’s inclusive growth. This is how we shift from ideas to infrastructure, from intention to impact, because transformation depends on collaboration, and our role is to enable both.” 

Absa takes a holistic, ecosystem-based view of economic development in Africa, recognising the continent not as a collection of isolated markets or sectors, but as an interconnected landscape of opportunity. With a strong Pan-African presence, the bank facilitates cross-border trade and investment in alignment with the ambitions of the AfCFTA. Through a profound understanding of regional interdependencies and the deployment of innovative trade and development finance solutions, Absa is uniquely positioned to drive integration, unlock shared economic value and support inclusive growth across the continent. 

David Mparutsa, Pan-Africa Head: Enterprise and Supplier Development at Absa CIB, will present a new conceptual framework for regional industrial integration in Africa at the forum.  

The TIPS Annual Forum is widely regarded as a critical platform for evidence-based, policy-relevant dialogue. This year, over 150 in-person delegates and up to 300 virtual participants are expected to attend, representing a cross-section of voices from government, business, academia and civil society. Absa’s investment in this forum extends beyond funding. It’s about catalysing real, regional progress.  

“Whether through value chain development, trade finance innovation or institutional partnerships, we’re focused on helping Africa move from ambition to delivery. The continent’s growth story is being written in real time, and we’re proud to contribute to the pages that follow,” said Mparutsa. 

“Inclusive development doesn’t happen by chance; it’s shaped through dialogue, co-creation and decisive action. TIPS continues to convene policy conversation that promotes practical, regional outcomes. As a proudly Pan-African bank, we support a platform dedicated to unlocking long-term opportunities across the continent,” said Dr Steven Zwane, Acting Managing Executive: Stakeholder Engagement at Absa Group.  

“Absa’s funding of this year’s forum aligns with our broader strategic positioning on the continent, including our contribution to global policy platforms such as the G20 and B20, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard on trade, investment and inclusive growth,” Zwane added. 

Looking to the future: participation of the private sector in initiatives such as the annual TIPS Forum remains essential in shaping an integrated Africa capable of competing globally, connecting meaningfully and growing collectively. Through such collaboration, dialogues and engagements that are followed by intentional actions, Africa’s story of industrialisation and trade is not only being imagined, but being realised.  

“We thank Absa for their support and contribution towards this forum, and for thereby highlighting their commitment to Africa’s regional integration and industrial transformation,” said Dr Saul Levin, Executive Director at TIPS. 

As a strategic partner at this year’s TIPS Forum, Absa reaffirms its commitment to Africa’s development priorities, not only through financial solutions, but also through insights, collaboration and institution-building. This association aligns with the Group’s broader strategy to drive industrial development, enable cross-border trade and support regional integration across the continent.  

For media queries, please contact:

prmedia@absa.co.za