Our team includes people who have decades of experience of carrying out business in Africa. Additionally, we have extensive experience of Parliamentary matters and are very well connected with Embassies, High Commissions and Trade Delegates in London and across the African continent.
About Westminster Africa Business Association
“Fostering strong UK – Africa partnerships through dialogue, insight and collaboration”
About WABA
We believe that this range of experience makes us uniquely positioned to bring decision-makers, diplomats and businesses together in the interests of our members and of UK-Africa relations.
What We Do
Policy & Business Round-tables
We arrange briefings, working lunches, dinners and receptions at Westminster, featuring politicians, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior executives.
Trade Mission & Delegations
We organise outbound and inbound trade missions connecting UK companies with African markets and partners. Meetings with visiting government ministers from African countries.
Market Intelligence
We provide exclusive member updates, reports, and early insights on trade policy and sector opportunities.
Political Insights
Our experience and contacts enable us to provide useful briefings on relevant government policies and forthcoming legislation.
Events & Networking
We organise conferences, sector briefings, webinars, and receptions that promote UK–Africa business opportunities.
Newsletters
We send out regular newsletters containing news on WABA events and activities, trade issues and opportunities, relevant government policies and forthcoming events.
Laurence Robertson
Chief Executive & Deputy Chairman
Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA)
Director – Theoc Consultancy
Laurence Robertson serves as Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of the Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA), where he leads the organisation’s strategic engagement with African governments, UK policymakers, investors, and private-sector leaders.
Laurence was a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2024. During that time, he served as the then Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, Zambia and Angola. He was also Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Ethiopia, Djibouti and Zambia. He therefore brings deep experience in international trade, diplomacy, and public policy to his WABA role.
Laurence has led Trade Missions to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia and Angola. He has worked closely with African Embassies and High Commissions, heads of state, ministers, and the UK business community to strengthen bilateral ties and create new channels for trade and investment. His longstanding relationships and deep understanding of both the UK Parliamentary system and African markets have positioned him as a trusted connector between public and private sectors.
In addition to his role at WABA, Laurence is also a Director of Theoc Consultancy, the strategic public affairs and advisory firm serving as the official Secretariat for WABA. Through Theoc Consultancy, he supports businesses, governments and NGOs in navigating the UK policy landscape and expanding their presence in African markets.
In addition, Laurence is a Board member of the British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, to which Theoc Consultancy provides the Secretariat.
At WABA, Laurence leads on international outreach, policy direction, and high-level stakeholder engagement. He regularly represents the Association in Westminster and across Africa, speaking at forums on trade, infrastructure, energy, financial services and diaspora entrepreneurship. His leadership ensures WABA remains an influential, business-led platform dedicated to building meaningful partnerships between the UK and Africa.
WABA exists to bring the right people – politicians, diplomats, businesses – together to make real impacts across sectors and borders. We’re here to connect, influence and deliver.” – Laurence Robertson
Anne Marie Robertson
Head of Secretariat
Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA)
Director – Theoc Consultancy
Anne Marie Robertson brings almost 20 years of senior experience in international trade, public policy and Parliamentary affairs to WABA. As Founder and Director of Theoc Consultancy, she leads the Secretariat of the Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA), overseeing the organisation’s operations, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.
A former Parliamentary Office Manager, Anne Marie has worked extensively with Ministers, Ambassadors and business leaders to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties. Her expertise spans UK–Africa relations, diaspora engagement, trade missions and corporate affairs.
At WABA, Annie drives the vision to connect business, policy and investment through high-level events, curated delegations and bespoke support for members. She is widely recognised for her ability to navigate the political landscape while fostering inclusive and commercially impactful dialogue between the UK and African markets.
Our goal at WABA is to help enable businesses, governments and the diaspora to collaborate with purpose and to build sustainable trade relationships.” – Anne Marie Robertson
Secretariat Support Team
The Secretariat is supported by a small team of dedicated advisors, researchers, and event managers with experience in:
- UK parliamentary engagement
- International business development
- African policy and diplomatic relations
- Market intelligence and trade promotion
This core team manages:
- Member communications and onboarding
- Embassy and government outreach
- Event logistics and mission planning
- Content and newsletter development
- Strategic partnerships and sponsor engagement
Andrew Rosindell MP
Chairman
Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA)
Andrew Rosindell is a long-serving Member of Parliament for Romford, first elected in 2001, with a distinguished career in international affairs and parliamentary diplomacy. He has held senior roles including serving as a Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, where he is responsible for key international portfolios and developing strong relationships across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Andrew has extensive experience in Africa, having worked closely with governments, parliamentarians and business leaders across the continent to strengthen political, economic and cultural ties. He was also the then Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Tanzania.
Throughout his career, Andrew has championed initiatives that promote trade, investment and development partnerships between the UK and African nations.
As a passionate advocate for deepening the UK’s engagement with Africa, Andrew brings valuable insight, experience and connections to the Westminster Africa Business Association, supporting its mission to foster meaningful collaboration between businesses, policymakers and African partners.
Tim Johnsen
Director
Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA)
Director – Eagle Scientific Ltd
Tim is the owner and founder of Eagle Scientific Ltd a company supplying and equipping facilities in the Laboratory equipment, Healthcare and Vocational training sectors. The Company was formed in 1979 and works extensively in Africa both directly and through a number of international bodies. These include many UN agencies and Humanitarian organisation such as the International Red Cross.
The company has worked with very many African countries on both educational and healthcare projects acquiring extensive knowledge of international financing and logistic requirements.
This has included working with multilateral funding providers such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank as well as bi-lateral funding agencies such as United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
Korab Toplica
Director
Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA)
Executive – Mabetex Group
Korab Toplica is a British lawyer, entrepreneur, and investor. He has over 12 years of experience in managing complex investment structures, particularly within European conglomerates and private family offices.
Toplica currently holds an executive role at Mabetex Group, where he oversees a diversified portfolio of investments with a cumulative value exceeding several billion USD.
His work focuses on international expansion strategies, including the group’s recent investment initiatives in Southern Africa and in frontier markets generally.
Throughout his career, Toplica has advised private-sector stakeholders and institutions operating across a range of emerging markets, with a particular focus on regions such as the Balkans and sub-Saharan Africa. He has held advisory positions to support commercial development strategies and private investment frameworks.
He has also served on several boards spanning both Africa and Europe, contributing his expertise in international investment and governance. As of 2024, he is the Vice Chairman of the Westminster African Business Group in the United Kingdom, an organisation focused on fostering commercial partnerships between UK-based investors and African markets. Additionally, he sits on the board of the Victoria Falls International Financial Centre in Zimbabwe, supporting its role as an emerging financial services hub.
Toplica’s work is primarily focuses on the private sector, and he is known for his low-profile and pragmatic approach to cross-border investment and business strategies in fostering greater bilateral relations through commerce and trading.