Commonwealth showcases investment ready projects at Reuters Investment London

Showcased project costs were on a scale from US$1 million to US$2 billion. The Commonwealth countries also had opportunities to attend high-value investor roundtables, private capital discussions and have further discussions with potential investors. 

Investment London is an exclusive gathering designed for institutional investors, asset managers, and private capital leaders looking to connect, raise capital, and shape the future of global investment. Unlike traditional finance conferences, this event focused on General Partner-Limited Partner (GP LP) matchmaking, deal flow, and strategic networking with sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, and family offices.  

Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director for Economic Development, Trade and Investment Directorate at Commonwealth Secretariat, made introductory remarks. She said: 

“This partnership with Investment London, a forum for investment leaders discussing about ‘Where will the Next $10 trillion go?’ is strategically aligned with our agenda for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) titled ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth’. 

“This was an important opportunity curated by Commonwealth Secretariat for our countries to present investable projects combined value of over US$3 billion.”  

Meet the projects 

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Moemedi Malindah, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Sovereign Wealth Fund, pitched an impressive upgrade to the Maun International Airport, a phased upgrade and reconfiguration of the existing Maun International Airport, gateway to the Okavango Delta - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Temnotfo Niambila, Counsellor, High Commission of Eswatini, pitched an eco-fuel industrial park, and positioned Eswatini as active member of SADC,  Comesa and Sacu, and well connected within its region. She invited investors to Eswatini Investment Conference 2026 next month.  

Diana Afriyieaddo, Head of Trade and Investment at the Ghana High Commission, United Kingdom and Ireland, introduced the Volta Lake Transport System (VLTS), linking Tema to Tamale along Lake Volta's 415km north-south backbone, restoring decayed ports, fleet and navigability to move long-haul northbound cargo off-road. Four primary ports, push-boats and dual-purpose barges, with commercial cargo concessions.  

Sheron Kaviua, Director, Cloud Retirement Development, and Rowand Brown, Director, Retort Charcoal Producers, represented Namibia. Kaviua pitched an under-construction lifestyle retirement estate at Omaruru, Erongo. Brown pitched an innovative export-grade biochar and charcoal project that restores degraded ecosystems and drives rural economic development – leveraging Namibia’s largest charcoal producer.  

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) was represented by H.E. Macenje Mazoka, Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. She presented five bankable projects, with a strong focus on renewable energy solutions. One project is a Foreign Direct Invest (FDI) opportunity with the 163MW Lufubu Hydropower Cascade (three plants) on the Lufubu River, Northern Province.  

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The US$700-million project delivers stable, high-rainfall-driven generation, strengthening the national grid, and supporting regional tourism and investment growth. Another of the five pitched, included a project that involves the construction of the 23.1km overpass road from the Ten Miles Mungule Road Junction in Chibombo District to the Chilanga Cement roundabout in Chilanga District, Lusaka Province. It is delivered as a public-private partnership led by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, and is currently at pre-feasibility-study stage. 

Commonwealth Capital Connectors 

Around 50 investors joined the Commonwealth Capital Connectors, not only from London but as far as China. This new Commonwealth investment initiative forms part of the Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2025-30, facilitating increased inward investments into Commonwealth member countries.  

Rajiv Babooram, Adviser and Head of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, reflected that strategic investment in key infrastructure projects is critical to unlocking economic opportunities across the Commonwealth, particularly in developing member countries. He said: 

“Through this initiative, the Commonwealth is playing a catalytic role by directly connecting high-impact opportunities with global decision-makers to drive inclusive and transformative impact across the Commonwealth.”