Maharashtra to Become Global Hub for India-Africa Cooperation; CIDCO Proposes Major Trade Centre

Mumbai, May 2026: In a major step towards strengthening India-Africa economic ties, CIDCO and the Africa India Economic Foundation (AIEF) signed an agreement to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the ambitious Africa-India International Development Zone (AIIDZ) project in Navi Mumbai.

The agreement was exchanged in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar during a meeting held at the Cabinet Hall in Mumbai.

Senior officials present included Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Department Aseem Gupta, CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal, CIDCO Joint Managing Director Shantanu Goel, AIEF Chairman Dr G. Rathinavelu, and former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations T.S. Tirumurti.

Africa-India Trade Centre Planned in Navi Mumbai

CIDCO has proposed the establishment of the Africa India Business Centre (AIBC) in Navi Mumbai as an integrated hub aimed at strengthening economic, trade and cultural relations between India and African nations.

The project is being developed in collaboration with AIEF to boost bilateral trade, investment and institutional partnerships. The initiative gains significance at a time when India’s leadership role among Global South countries is increasingly being recognised internationally.

The proposed project is expected to further expand the existing India-Africa partnership currently valued at around 96 billion US dollars.

Maharashtra to Emerge as Global Gateway

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the Africa India Business Centre as a transformational project that would position Maharashtra as a leading global centre for India-Africa relations.

He said the project would create a dedicated ecosystem for trade, investment and institutional collaboration, while opening new opportunities for growth, employment and international partnerships.

“This initiative will strengthen economic ties with African countries and elevate Maharashtra’s position on the global stage, while also contributing to India’s expanding role in the Global South,” Fadnavis stated.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the proposed development zone at Kharghar would create world-class infrastructure to facilitate global trade partnerships. He added that the project’s strategic location within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) would encourage seamless interaction among stakeholders and make Maharashtra a preferred destination for international business.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said the project would generate employment, create opportunities for MSMEs and attract global investment, thereby contributing significantly to economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Strategic SPV Structure

The Maharashtra government had earlier approved the project concept and the innovative SPV model for implementation. Under the arrangement, AIEF will hold a 74 per cent stake, while CIDCO will retain 26 per cent equity.

The AIIDZ will be developed at the International Corporate Park in Kharghar with CIDCO facilitating infrastructure and overall implementation. The project is expected to become fully operational within the next five to six years.

Integrated Global Business Ecosystem

Conceived as a self-sustained global campus, the AIIDZ will include commercial towers, convention centres, hospitality infrastructure, serviced apartments, cultural spaces and exhibition facilities.

The centre will function as a one-stop platform for African and Indian businesses, governments and institutions to engage in trade, investment and cultural exchange.

Key facilities planned under the project include:

• Central Business Tower with offices for 54 African nations and Indian stakeholders
• Convention and Exhibition Centre with seating capacity of 5,000 to 6,000
• Hospitality and Habitat Block with hotels and serviced apartments
• Cultural and Retail Hub
• Africa-India Bio Dome

The integrated complex will feature 2,50,000 square feet of exhibition space, meeting rooms and permanent offices for African countries and Indian public and private sector organisations.

Strategic Location and Economic Impact

The project will come up on 20 acres of land reserved within the International Corporate Park at Kharghar. Strategically located near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the development is expected to significantly boost foreign investment, tourism and business activity.

Designed as a year-round business destination, the centre will host over 250 days of international conferences, exhibitions and trade events annually.

By its sixth year of operation, the AIIDZ is projected to generate revenues of nearly 30 million US dollars annually and emerge as a major driver of economic growth and India-Africa trade relations.

Officials said the initiative would further strengthen India’s position as a trusted strategic partner in Africa’s development journey while deepening institutional and people-to-people ties between the two regions.

Team Maverick.