History

Whatever challenges you're facing, we've been there. 
Helping businesses like yours since 1956.

In 1956, a group of individuals working for major British companies with interests in Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone formed the West Africa Committee (WAC). Its aim was: 

To aid and stimulate the economic development of West Africa through business. 

Shortly afterwards, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone gained independence. With close contacts with British and West African governments, WAC provided trade information and intelligence on import and exchange controls, taxation and economic planning to a growing membership base.

As independence spread, WAC moved into Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Senegal and expanded membership to include firms from France, the Netherlands and the US.

Pushing African business forward

In 2000, WAC became the West Africa Business Association (WABA). With its new name came a new mission: 

Promoting business and encouraging the development of business opportunities both in and with West Africa. 

Africa was moving to the top of the global agenda and WABA made significant contributions to many key Africa initiatives including:

• The development of the Millennium Development Goals
• The New Partnership for Africa’s Development
• The Commission for Africa
• Commitments made by the G8 at Gleneagles in 2008

At its 50th anniversary, WABA had regional representatives in 10 countries and Associations in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. It also absorbed the Southern Africa Business Forum to form WABA-SABF.

The Business Council for Africa

Today, we are called the Business Council for Africa (BCA) and have 33 representatives throughout sub-Saharan Africa and a membership base of over 250 companies and entrepreneurs.  BCA  is the UK member of the European Business Council for Africa (EBCAM).

We still maintain our belief that a responsible and profitable private sector has a crucial role to play in Africa’s development. It is in this spirit that we continue to help our members.