8th Biennial U.S. - Africa Business Summit - About the Summit

2011 8th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit

Opening Plenary- Emerging African Markets, Why We Are Investing

The Corporate Council on Africa’s 8th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit was held October 5-7, 2011 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

This year’s Summit attracted leaders in both the public and private sectors.

The Summit spotlighted the key sectors in which CCA members feel Africa presents its greatest case for business: agribusiness, energy, power, health, goods and services, security and infrastructure. New this year were the pre-Summit “Doing Business” Forums for Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana, which offered the more than 2,000 attendees even greater access to learning about business opportunities in some of Africa’s most dynamic economies.

Representatives from U.S. and African companies convened in Washington, D.C. to take advantage of the Summit’s valuable networking opportunities. The Welcome Dinner set the stage for the Summit’s events, as Senators Chris Coons and Johnny Isakson pledged their full support and commitment to forging stronger engagement between the U.S. and Africa. In addition to the “Doing Business” Forums, dinners, and receptions, Summit participants took advantage of the 30 workshops and 6 plenaries. The workshops and plenaries allowed public and private sector leaders to engage in discussions through focused sessions on particular topics.

Despite the economic challenges continuing to face the United States, CCA understands that America’s economic competitiveness only increases with the support of trade and investment opportunities across a variety of business sectors throughout the global economy. Many are discovering the true value of the global economy with its many promising emerging markets and, notably, those on the African continent. Finding value, and developing and strengthening connections, is the logical next step for companies and investors seeking to maximize opportunities on the continent. CCA’s biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit has, since 1997, been regarded as an essential conference for anyone looking to do business in Africa.

CCA continues to be the leading American organization committed to establishing and building upon relations in trade and investment between the United States and Africa. CCA has long viewed Africa as being of strategic importance to America’s future economic and political success. As White House Chief of Staff William Daley said in his address to Summit attendees, “We cannot rely on established markets. We must develop opportunities in emerging markets.” While barriers to trade and other challenges remain, Africa is indeed “the last global frontier.”

CCA looks forward to hosting the 9^th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit in 2013.