About ANZBC
New Zealand's only pan-Africa business chamber — founded in 2018 to connect our two worlds through trade, investment, and genuine partnership.
Built for the Opportunity That Others Missed
The Africa New Zealand Business Chamber was founded in 2018 with a clear purpose: to build a dedicated, credible bridge between New Zealand's business community and the African continent. At the time, no such organisation existed. Today, ANZBC remains the only New Zealand entity of its kind.
We were built on a simple observation: New Zealand businesses consistently underestimate Africa, and African businesses consistently underestimate what New Zealand has to offer. Our mission is to close that gap — with intelligence, relationships, and action.
ANZBC operates as a not-for-profit, member-supported chamber recognised by NZTE and MFAT as the primary non-governmental voice on NZ–Africa trade and investment.
"In 2022, ANZBC was the only non-governmental entity invited to participate in bilateral New Zealand–Egypt trade discussions — a recognition of our role as a trusted, credible partner to government."
Founded
ANZBC founded — the first and only pan-Africa business chamber in New Zealand.
Early Growth
Formal engagement with NZTE and MFAT established. First member events held.
Programme Expansion
Webinar programme launched. Membership opens to individuals, SMEs, and corporates.
Diplomatic Recognition
ANZBC invited to NZ–Egypt bilateral trade discussions — the only non-governmental entity at the table.
Deepening Intelligence
Advisory council formed. Priority sector focus established across Education, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, AgriTech, and FinTech.
Relaunch
ANZBC relaunches with an ambitious 2026 programme — including a flagship business activation in South Africa.
Africa Is Not One Market
54 Sovereign Nations
Each with its own regulatory environment, consumer profile, and growth trajectory. Entry strategy must reflect this diversity.
Diverse Opportunities
East Africa leads in FinTech and agri-innovation. North Africa offers MENA corridor access. Southern Africa has depth in services. West Africa has consumer scale like no other.
Sector-Led Engagement
ANZBC does not prescribe priority markets. We work with individual SMEs to identify the African countries best matched to their product, service, and risk appetite.
Understanding New Zealand's African Footprint
Three embassies — Cairo, Addis Ababa, and Pretoria — anchor our government-to-government relationships. NZTE's Africa rep is based in Dubai. ANZBC exists to extend that reach across all 54 nations.
Our Board
ANZBC is led by experienced practitioners with genuine, lived connections across New Zealand and Africa.
Abdul Mohamud
ChairAbdul Mohamud is a legally trained professional and community leader with a strong track record in public service, business, and cross-cultural engagement. Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, he brings a sharp legal and policy lens to international trade and economic development.
With experience spanning logistics and business advocacy, Abdul has worked extensively with communities, supporting access to services and enabling participation in economic systems. He also co-founded this initiative that connects New Zealand businesses with emerging markets, particularly across Africa.
As Chair, he is focused on strengthening trade relationships, supporting businesses to expand in both African countries and New Zealand, and positioning the Chamber as a credible bridge between markets, institutions, and business communities. His leadership combines practical business insight with a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and cultural dynamics in global trade.
Janet Kamau
Secretary GeneralJanet Kamau is a Kenyan-born, New Zealand-based education strategist, community leader, and cross-cultural connector with more than two decades of lived and professional experience in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Her work sits at the intersection of education, migration, public sector systems, and international relationship-building. Janet brings a strong understanding of how people, institutions, and economies connect — particularly across Africa and New Zealand.
She is the founder of Global Talent Pathways, a boutique education consultancy supporting ethical and well-prepared study pathways between Africa and New Zealand. Through this work, Janet has developed deep insight into talent mobility, diaspora aspirations, international education, and the practical systems needed to support successful cross-border engagement.
Janet also brings experience across public institutions, community governance, stakeholder engagement, and African community leadership in New Zealand. She has contributed to initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, economic participation, and the visibility of African communities within wider civic and business spaces.
As Secretary General of the Africa New Zealand Business Chamber, Janet brings a relationship-led, values-based approach grounded in integrity, reciprocity, and practical outcomes. She is committed to helping build trusted connections that recognise Africa and New Zealand as equal partners with shared opportunities for enterprise, investment, education, and long-term economic contribution.
Paul Chalmers
TreasurerPaul is a retired businessman with interests in international education and golf. He helped found the African New Zealand Business Chamber and has a strong belief that there are opportunities for businesses on both sides of the trading equation.
Martin Norman
Board MemberMartin Norman is a senior leader with more than 30 years of experience across healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, heavy industrial, mining, and geothermal industries.
He brings extensive expertise in leadership, organisational strategy, programme governance, stakeholder engagement, and business transformation. Martin is recognised for his collaborative approach, strategic mindset, and ability to unite diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Throughout his career, he has led complex initiatives, advised executive leadership teams, and championed values-based cultures that promote accountability, innovation, and sustainable success. His broad cross-sector experience provides a unique perspective on business growth, organisational resilience, and community outcomes.
Martin is passionate about supporting businesses and strengthening local communities through strong leadership, partnership, and effective governance.
Dr. Harold Mayaba
Board MemberDr. Harold Mayaba is an Agri-Food Consultant, market researcher, transformational speaker, author, lecturer and AI Systems Strategist based in Nelson, New Zealand. He holds a PhD from Lincoln University, where his research examined consumer behaviour, market preferences, and government policy implications relating to the impact of animal welfare regulations on egg consumers in New Zealand.
He has strong expertise in agribusiness, market research, consumer insights, value chain analysis, business strategy, and AI-driven opportunity systems. Through H|M Agri-Food Consulting & Speaking, he supports individuals, organisations, and agribusinesses to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and build resilient, purpose-driven growth strategies.
Dr. Mayaba also has strong business and community connections across Africa and New Zealand. He is the founder of TRADEit Zambia, an e-commerce business, and has ongoing interests in agribusiness development and diaspora investment, particularly supporting diaspora communities to invest in the agri-food sector back home. He is passionate about strengthening commercial links between New Zealand, Zambia, and the wider African market. His work brings together practical business experience, academic research, and a deep commitment to purpose, hope, and resilience.
Interested in joining the ANZBC board? Get in touch →
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