Mumbai: The India-Africa conclave, being held in New Delhi from 19-21 March, will discuss 131 projects worth over $10 billion, CII said in a release. 

The conference is expected to highlight Africa's potential as an investment venue and increase economic cooperation between India and the nations of the African continent. 

The largest ever conclave of African nations in India, 'The India Africa Project Partnership 2008' will focus on four main areas of technology, agriculture, human resources and energy.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the EXIM Bank and the ministries of commerce and industry and external affairs are jointly organising the conference.  

About 925 delegates from 37 African countries, including the vice presidents of Tanzania and Ghana, are expected to participate in the conclave.

The conference will enable Indian investors to interact with key people from over 35 African countries, the CII release said.

Africa is already a major trade partner of India. Nigeria is India's second largest source of imported crude petroleum, accounting for 12.2 per cent of India's global imports in 2006-07. South Africa is the fourth-largest source for India's gold imports while Morocco, Senegal and South Africa are leading sources of India's global imports of inorganic chemicals.

FDI inflows to India from African countries between August 1991 and March 2007 topped $18 billion.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Syamal Gupta, chairman of CII Africa Committee and chairman of Tata International, pointed out that Africa has a landmass that is 11 times the size of India, which is an indication of the size of the opportunities in that continent. He said the Tata Group was involved in Africa since 1976, in various areas such as transport, information technology, hotels, mining and telecom.

Likewise, Kirloskar Brothers has a presence in more than 25 African countries, which highlighted India's potential role in providing ''affordable, adaptable, appropriate technology'' to Africa, said Sanjay Kirloskar, the company's CMD and co-chairman, CII Africa Committee. "Africa is the success story waiting to happen and one which will soon happen," he added.

''Many African countries are growing at double digits, such as Ethiopia. Africa is striving to close the chapter of poverty,"
Gannet Zewide, Ethiopian ambassador to India, pointed out.

''The process of involvement of Indian entrepreneurs to Africa is well timed, as Africa has a lot of potential now,'' said John Bentum Williams, high commissioner of Ghana to India.

Nimisha Madhwani, the Ugandan Ambassador to India, said contrary to the negative image of Africa portrayed in the media, "Africa is a safe investment destination", adding, "only 10 per cent of Africa is developed in spite of its large size think of the opportunities."

Tarun Das, chief mentor, CII, said the core of the India-Africa relationship was the 'people-to-people' relationship. He spoke of the common histories and common challenges faced by India in Africa - to eliminate poverty by building and empowering people, in building infrastructure and connectivity and through low-cost, appropriate technology.