The First Polish-African Conference, themed “Four Ways of Africa,” took place on 29 October 2025 in Warsaw—one of Eastern Europe’s most vibrant and forward-looking capitals. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators. Among them was Simon Melchior, CEO of Axendit, who has spent more than a decade helping build and scale businesses across Africa.

The conference focused on the export and investment opportunities available to Polish businesses in key African markets such as Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, and Angola. It also highlighted major infrastructure projects reshaping the continent and showcased the strategic openings these developments create.

One of the event’s most anticipated sessions was the debate titled “How to Be Successful in Investment and Export Projects in a New Market.” Moderated by Paweł Żebrowski, Press Officer at the Polish Export/Import Bank, the panel featured seasoned leaders including Michał Łupkowski (Director, Emerging Markets, LUG), Jerzy Pietrucha (CEO, Pietrucha), Jarosław Olszyński (Founder, Greatpol Trade East Africa), Marcin Kaleta (CEO, Faspol Africa), and Simon Melchior of Axendit.

Together, the panellists unpacked both the opportunities and the complexities of entering new markets. They shared practical, real-world insights drawn from sectors such as digital services, energy, manufacturing, and trade. Drawing from 15 years of firsthand experience as a European entrepreneur working across Africa, Simon emphasised that success on the continent goes far beyond financial investment. It requires capacity building, local partnerships, and a long-term commitment—the true drivers of sustainable growth.

The rich discussion offered clear, experience-backed guidance for investors, entrepreneurs, and institutions looking to enter or scale in Africa’s dynamic markets.

Beyond the conference hall, Simon also played a mentoring role with MBA students at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, where he delivered a session on Entrepreneurship Strategies in International Business. This engagement reflects his ongoing commitment to knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and shaping the next generation of global business leaders.

Hosted by Professor Anna Maslon-Oracz, the Rector’s Representative for Africa, the session gave students valuable insights into management, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation in emerging markets. Simon also shared practical advice on navigating the political, economic, and social dynamics that influence doing business in new and unfamiliar environments.

Across both engagements in Warsaw, Axendit’s CEO demonstrated a clear dedication not only to business expansion but also to fostering stronger collaboration between Africa, Europe, and the global economy at large. His contributions reinforced the impact of experience-driven leadership in building meaningful cross-continental partnerships.

At Axendit, this commitment runs deep. The company remains focused on driving innovation, economic growth, and collaborative progress across international markets. The insights shared in Warsaw—both during the panel and in the academic mentoring session—mirror Axendit’s broader mission: empowering global businesses, supporting emerging economies, and building the connections that enable positive change through technology.