Sri Lanka’s George Steuart explores opportunities in Africa
The Morning: George Steuart & Company participated in a series of high-level engagements organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in Africa during the latter part of 2025.
The engagements in Kenya were held in Nairobi in December, led by CWEIC Deputy Chairperson Lord Swire. The visit encompassed the Manufacturing Africa CEO Forum, hosted by Strategic Partner BDO East Africa; the Kenya International Advisory Council (KIAC) meeting; and the Equity Group Trade and Investment Roadshow, which highlighted Kenya’s strategic role as a gateway to more than 500 million consumers across Eastern and Central Africa, with opportunities across digital trade, agribusiness, green industry, and SME growth. George Steuart & Company was represented by the Group Chairperson Sarva Ameresekere, and the Chief Operating Officer and Director Sales of George Steuart Teas Dilukshan Fernando.
The CWEIC delegation to Nigeria was led by the CWEIC’s Chairperson Lord Marland of Odstock. During the visit, the delegation met with Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, at Lagos House, Marina. Discussions focused on development, innovation, and long-term investment partnerships aligned with Lagos’ role as Nigeria’s commercial hub. The delegation also engaged with banking and finance associations, retail industry groups, and other CWEIC Strategic Partners in Nigeria, reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of the programme.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic expansion is evident by the increasing number of businesses in the private sector engaged in overseas business expansion programmes. The country’s private sector has shown great resilience through the years to internal and external economic shocks faced by Sri Lanka, with the latest being the economic crisis faced in 2022. However, the strength, resilience and growth of Sri Lanka’s economy and the continuing efforts of local authorities to increase the country’s business conducive environment have all helped the growth of the private sector. While Sri Lanka’s geographical position in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries have helped the expansion of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and trade sectors, opening up many business/investment opportunities to foreign businesses/investors in the country, the growth and expansion of Sri Lankan businesses have also opened many opportunities for foreign businesses/investors. Like the George Steuart & Company that is exploring business opportunities in Africa, there are currently many Sri Lankan businesses exploring business/investment opportunities in foreign countries. Foreign businesses/investors interested in exploring opportunities in Sri Lanka could also look at expanding business operations in Sri Lanka and other countries in the region and outside through partnerships or joint ventures.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260105/Z_1 |