Gambian business leader and diplomat Ambassador Saul Frazer, CEO of Global Properties Limited and President of the Africa Agenda Network, took centre stage at the International Conference on Investment Promotion and Facilitation for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in Doha on Sunday, declaring that “the time for Africa is now.”
Speaking to an audience of global investors, policymakers, and UN officials at the event co-hosted by UNCTAD, Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Invest Qatar, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Frazer positioned The Gambia and the wider African continent as the world’s most compelling emerging investment frontier, powered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and a growing network of International Investment Agreements (IIAs).
“Africa’s investment landscape is steering in the right direction. Borders are opening for a united Africa,” Frazer told delegates. “With AfCFTA creating a single market of 1.3 billion people and 50 countries already on board, investors now have seamless access to a continent experiencing rapid economic growth, a youthful demographic dividend, and massive infrastructure and digital transformation needs.”
Frazer highlighted priority sectors including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and real estate, noting that International Investment Agreements provide critical safeguards – protection against expropriation, access to international arbitration, and enhanced investment security – that dramatically lower risk for foreign capital.
A significant portion of his address focused on the urgent need to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into every stage of the investment cycle. “Integrating sustainable development into planning, financing, and risk management is no longer optional – it is essential for long-term value creation and risk mitigation,” he stressed.
Using Africa’s booming real estate sector as a case study amid rapid urbanization, Frazer outlined emerging best practices, including planning and designing energy-efficient projects and engaging stakeholders early with local communities and environmental experts, as well as in financing: partnering with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and tapping government incentives and grants earmarked for green and inclusive developments.
He also highlighted risk management priorities: mandatory climate-risk assessments, proactive alignment with evolving regulations, and continuous monitoring and transparent ESG reporting.
“Sustainable buildings are simply more resilient – less vulnerable to resource shortages, energy price shocks, or reputational damage,” he argued. “Investors who embrace sustainability do not just contribute to Africa’s socio-economic progress; they position themselves for superior long-term returns in an increasingly regulated global market.”
Frazer’s appearance in Doha came at the invitation of the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He is scheduled to remain in Qatar today (December 8) to participate in expert roundtables at the university’s College of Law and to attend related events linked to the broader Doha Forum policy summit.
Reaction from delegates was overwhelmingly positive, with several Middle Eastern and European investors approaching Frazer after his presentation to discuss potential partnerships in The Gambia, Ghana, and Senegal – the three West African markets where Global Properties currently operates.
He commended Maimuna Jallow, the MD & CEO of Africa Agenda Network, for spearheading the opportunity to be in Qatar. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dawda Jallow, also gave a speech encouraging foreign investment in The Gambia, noting that the country offers opportunities for such investment.
