About Us
Who We Are
The African Irish Chamber of Commerce (AICC) is a private membership organisation devoted to the development of fair, equitable, and sustainable commerce and cooperation between businesses and other entities in Ireland or Africa.
We serve our members and the public by facilitating commercial and community development through our various services, programmes, strategic relationships, and other activities. AICC takes a community-based approach to its activities that reflects the dynamism of our members as well as how our activities impact the community.
Operating Scope: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland (UK), and all countries in Africa.
"We are building a bridge between Africa and Ireland"
- Maurice Kikangala, AICC Founder & Chairman
Principal Objects - What We Do
AICC's constitutional objects guide everything we do:
Knowledge & Skills Exchange We facilitate the sharing of knowledge, skills, best business practices, viewpoints, and experience between members and stakeholders.
Business Advisory Services We offer and procure advice to members with respect to business development and operations, particularly for African businesses entering the Irish market.
Policy & Advocacy We communicate and promote to governments and policymakers the views of members on matters affecting their interests, particularly with respect to compliance and regulatory matters.
Training & Capacity Building We provide opportunities for members to train their staff in the skills necessary to facilitate commerce and cooperation between Irish and African enterprises.
Committee Representation We provide members with opportunities to meet and form collective views via various sectoral committees and provide secretarial support to these committees.
Our Origin
From Vision to Action
AICC Founder and Chairman Maurice Kikangala spent over 15 years in Irish politics and business consulting, building networks across Europe, the United States, Ireland, and Africa. Recognizing the need for an organization devoted to increasing trade between Irish and African businesses in ways that are robust, ethical, and sustainable, Maurice conceptualized AICC as a bridge-building institution.
On February 1st, 2019, AICC officially launched at the University of Limerick's Kemmy Business School—the grounds where the vision first took root.
Since launch, we have grown our membership base, established sectoral committees across multiple industries, and secured support from institutional partners including Bank of Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland. We are proud to count among our patrons Irish President Michael D. Higgins, philanthropist and musician Bono, and cross-party political representatives committed to strengthening Ireland-Africa ties.
Membership
Join Our Network
AICC membership is open to any business or individual interested in joining AICC and committed to participating in AICC activities.
Six Membership Tiers:
Board
Corporate
Small Business
Individual
Fresh
Non-Irish
Membership levels differ on a sliding scale of cost and access to services. Members enjoy voting rights, access to sectoral committees, advisory services, and representation in policy advocacy.
Governance
How We're Organized
AICC is governed by a Board of Directors, which serves as our principal governing body. The Board includes a President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two designated consultants.
Annual General Meetings AICC holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year where members elect the Executive Committee, approve the Annual Report from the Chairperson, review the Annual Financial Statement from the Treasurer, and consider amendments to constitutional documents.
Sectoral Committees AICC operates through standing committees across multiple sectors, including:
Arts & Culture
Agribusiness
Financial Services
Construction
Tourism
IT, Web & Mobile
Mining, Oil, Gas & Energy
Trade & Investment
Immigration
Legal Services
And many more
Ad-hoc committees may be formed as needed to address emerging opportunities or challenges.
Current Focus—Democratic Republic of Congo
Priority Market: Democratic Republic of Congo
Why the DRC, Why Now?
The DRC is vast, young, and resource-rich. Like Ireland in the 1980s, it is poised for transformation. For Irish investors, this is a market of scale and growth where Irish expertise can deliver real impact.
Key Statistics:
Size: 33× Ireland (2.34 million km²)
Population: 109 million—20× Ireland, with half under the age of 15
Economy: GDP US $79 billion; growth 6–8% annual
Distance: A country crossed in days, not hours
Resources: Copper, cobalt, timber, fertile land, water, hydropower, fish-rich waters
Stability: Western and southern provinces—Kinshasa, Katanga, Kasai, Bandundu, Équateur—are far from conflict and open for business
Investment Opportunities Where Irish Expertise Delivers Value:
Kinshasa — Skills That Power Growth Kinshasa's youthful population is ready for work. A FÁS-style programme will deliver practical skills in English for business, IT and coding basics, agritech, post-harvest handling, and digital banking. Training today's youth to power tomorrow's global economy.
Kasai — Eco-Tourism at Lake Mukamba Kasai offers untapped natural and cultural treasures: eco-lodges, nature trails, cultural tourism (music, storytelling, crafts), and training in hospitality and safety. AICC seeks to champion development of the tourism sector in a way that benefits local communities and protects the environment.
Équateur — Timber & Agro-Forestry Équateur's forests can deliver value when managed sustainably: certified timber and reforestation, agro-forestry blending cocoa, coffee, and fruit trees, and local sawmilling and processing. From forests to factories: value created in Congo, shared with the world.
Congo Central & Bandundu — Feeding the Capital These provinces hold fertile farmland and fisheries that can supply Kinshasa: sustainable aquaculture and cold-chain logistics, modernized cassava, fruit, and palm production, and cooperative farming modelled on Irish rural success. Better food security, stable incomes, and bankable SMEs.
Security & Stability: In June 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement—progress toward stability. Conflict zones are concentrated in the far east, 1,500 km from Kinshasa and other investment regions. Western and southern provinces remain secure, practical entry points for investors.
Now is the moment to invest—when change is real and momentum is building.
Get Involved - Partner With Us
AICC thrives on relationships—between businesses, governments, and communities.
How to Engage:
Become a Member: Access advisory services, policy representation, and networking opportunities
Sponsor a Programme: Fund specific initiatives aligned with sustainable development goals
Offer Your Expertise: Serve as a service provider or advisor to members
Grant Partnership: Support AICC's mission through institutional funding
"Building a bridge between Africa and Ireland means making real relationships with real people at both ends." — Maurice Kikangala, AICC Founder and Chairman