The organisers of the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit are pleased to confirm that Alex Cole, Venture Partner and Chair of the GBCC Black Business Collective at TIN Ventures, will feature as a key panelist in the session:
“Scaling SMEs Through Digital Trade: Innovation Across the UK–Africa Corridor.”

Alex Cole is a renowned purpose-driven entrepreneur, impact investor, and policy advocate championing inclusive innovation, sustainable industry, and equitable entrepreneurship. As CEO of TIN Ventures, he leads on deploying insight-driven investment and venture acceleration to tackle critical issues including social mobility, climate resilience, and SME growth—with a special focus on enabling UK startups to unlock scalable trade opportunities across African markets.

What to Expect from the Panel

This expert-led session will explore how digital-first export support, cross-border collaboration, and inclusive innovation ecosystems can accelerate productivity and global competitiveness for small and medium enterprises operating within UK–Africa trade corridors.

Alex will share practical insights drawn from TIN Ventures’ flagship programmes such as BEEP (Black Exporters Empowerment Programme) and Digisheds, which demonstrate how digital infrastructure and ecosystem development can drive impactful trade readiness, especially for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

About Alex Cole

Alex Cole’s leadership extends across several influential platforms. He currently serves as:

• Chair, Black Business Collective, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
• Entrepreneur-in-Residence, The Open University
• Advisory Board Member, Innovation Alliance West Midlands
• Non-Executive Director, Brixton House and Solo Housing
• Fellow, Royal Society of Arts (RSA)

Through his work at the intersection of innovation, investment, and policy, Alex continues to advocate for inclusive economic strategies that align with the UK’s Industrial Strategy, Net Zero, and Levelling Up missions.