Published on 09/07/2025
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Uganda’s most prominent businessman and Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, is slated to headline the 15th UK-Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit with a keynote address at the Royal Horse guards Hotel in London on September 12, 2025.
The high-profile summit is recognized as a leading forum for advancing global investment dialogue focused on Africa. It will bring together government representatives, business leaders, and investors from around the world to explore strategic opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, finance, and technology.
According to event organizers, this year’s edition will place a spotlight on East Africa’s growing economic potential.
Dr. Sudhir—who Forbes estimates to have a net worth of $1.2 billion—will reflect on his journey from a young refugee in the UK with just £8,000 to becoming one of the region’s most influential entrepreneurs. His keynote will center around “resilience, innovation, and the power of Africa-led development.”
A Defining Moment After Personal Tragedy
Dr. Sudhir’s participation at this global summit comes just four months after the untimely passing of his only son, Rajiv Ruparelia, who died in a road accident along the Munyonyo-Entebbe Expressway on May 3.
At only 35, Rajiv was the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group and widely regarded as the successor to the business empire. During his eulogy on May 7, Dr. Sudhir called Rajiv a “quick learner” and a “compassionate leader,” pledging to continue the work they had built together.
Close associates have described his choice to proceed with the London appearance as “a mark of profound resilience and responsibility.”
Driving Africa’s Investment Agenda
Organized in partnership with the UK Commonwealth Trade Partnership (UCUK), the India Overseas Trust, and several global institutions, the 2025 UK-Africa Summit aims to strengthen trade ties and support economic transformation by linking African stakeholders with global investors.
This year’s panels will examine investment frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), with key focus areas including agri-tech, fintech, sustainable development, real estate, and renewable energy.
Dr. Sudhir is expected to highlight Uganda’s evolving investment landscape and share how the Ruparelia Group—through landmark projects like Speke Resort Munyonyo and Pearl Business Park—is reshaping Kampala’s skyline while creating employment opportunities for thousands.
In addition to his business achievements, he will also speak about the impact of the Ruparelia Foundation, which supports a range of causes from education and healthcare to community upliftment through scholarships and infrastructure funding.
A Legacy Built on Vision and Tenacity
Born in 1956, Dr. Sudhir was among the thousands of Asians expelled from Uganda during Idi Amin’s regime. After resettling in the UK and working as a taxi driver, he returned to Uganda in the late 1980s and established Crane Forex Bureau, laying the groundwork for what would grow into a diversified business empire spanning education, banking, hospitality, construction, and philanthropy.
He also serves as Nepal’s honorary consul in Uganda, a role that underscores his influence in international business diplomacy.
Dr. Sudhir’s keynote appearance in London will further position Uganda as a rising player in global investment circles. It also aligns with the summit’s theme of “Partnerships for Prosperity,” offering inspiration to a new generation of African entrepreneurs and strengthening UK-Africa economic ties.
