African Leaders and Partners Forum 2023
Future Africa as a Magnet for Global Investment
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Why Attend?
This forum aims to unlock Africa’s resources in a manner that partners with Africa. You will gain insights from renowned thought leaders shaping Africa’s investment landscape, network with global investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers and participate in engaging discussions and panel sessions.
The value proposition is to facilitate solutions.
Our target audience includes:
- Those who want Africa’s resources (Investors) but encounter problems getting access to Africa’s resources in the right way.
- Those Investors who struggle to get their funds out of Africa.
- African Leaders and Ambassadors to the USA with mandates to establish trade relations between the USA and their countries
- African Ambassadors and Other Government Officials
- USA Government Officials
Navigating the Complex Landscape of Africa's Global Trade and Economic Relations
Africa-China Trade
Trade between China and Africa in 2022 soared by 11% to US$282 billion fuelled by soaring commodity prices and Beijing’s drive to boost imports from Africa. China aims to increase African imports to $300 billion by 2025. Beijing has unveiled ‘green lanes’ for African agricultural exports to China - from Kenyan Avocados to Zambian soybeans – with tariff cuts, zero tariffs to thousands more African products and faster border processing.
Africa-EU Trade
The EU is still a vital trading partner for Africa, accounting for $299 billion of trade, nearly half of which was imports, according to Eurostat. Observers warn that the Asian powerhouse does not comply with the same stringent standards as the US and EU and that China’s debt trap diplomacy has hurt Africa’s economy. While Chinese influence in Africa has increased significantly, US influence has flatlined resulting in US investors and companies having to play catch up.
Africa-US Trade
From 2008 to 2020, the US share of Africa’s overall trade (imports plus exports) fell sharply from 15.6% to 5.6%. Johns Hopkins University estimates that between 2009 and 2019, US Foreign Direct Investment into Africa plummeted by 132.6%. While the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was meant to drive African exports to the US, less than 1% of US imports come from the continent - a 56% drop from 2000 when AGOA was enacted.
Africa’s Economy on the World Stage
- Population is set to double to 2.5 billion people by 2050 – more than a quarter of the world’s population.
- A business and consumer market of $16 trillion.
- AfCFTA’s potential combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
Changing the Narrative
Together, let’s redefine possibilities, foster collaborations, and drive impactful change.
Africa’s growth engine.
The continent boasts one of the youngest and most entrepreneurial populations on the planet. By 2050, Africa will be home to a quarter of the world’s population and female entrepreneurs will be a vital economic driver – a source of innovation, creativity and economic dynamism.
- Sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s highest rate of women involved in entrepreneurial activity. 58% of the self-employed population are female, contributing 13% of GDP.
- Women’s increased economic inclusion could add 10% to African GDP by 2025.
Speakers
H.E. AMBASSADOR SIDIQUE ABOU-BAKARR WAI
EMBASSY, REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
H.E. AMBASSADOR HAJIA ALIMA MAHAMA
EMBASSY, REPUBLIC OF GHANA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
H.E AMBASSADOR DR. ELSIE SIA KANZA
EMBASSY, UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE US
H.E. AMBASSADOR ALFREDO NUVUNGA
EMBASSY, REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE'S AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
H.E. AMBASSADOR MOBOLAJI S. OGUNDERO
DEPUTY AMBASSADOR, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TO THE US
JESSE CORRADI
MANAGING DIRECTOR, AFRICA U.S. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (DFC)
H.E. AMBASSADOR MARGARET MENSAH-WILLIAMS
EMBASSY, REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
DR. THABI LEOKA
BOARD MEMBER OF ANGLO AMERICAN PLATINUM LTD., INSTITUTE AND MTN SA (PTY) LTD.
ROMI BHATIA
SR. FINANCE & INVESTMENT OFFICER UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AFRICA BUREAU/OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ERIC GUICHARD
FOUNDER & CEO OF HOMESTRINGS, INC., A DIASPORA INVESTMENT ADVISORY PLATFORM
JACKIE CHIMHANZI PhD
CEO, AFRICAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE & VARIOUS COMPANIES' BOARD DIRECTOR
NB: More speakers to be announced.
Programme
Target entities with a presence in Africa / Interested in Africa:
- Mining companies operating in Africa in Oil, Uranium, Copper, Iron Ore, Columbite, Platinum, Chrome, Coal, Gold, Rubber etc.
- Generator Companies
- Water Companies
- Food and beverage companies
- African Embassies in the USA
- USA Government Agencies
- US Senators, Congressmen / congresswomen
- ESG aligned investors
Proposed keynotes and panel discussion topics for the launch edition
The overarching theme for the inaugural event is: “Future Africa as a Magnet for Global Investment”. The event will discuss the following within a staged panel discussions:
1. Mapping Africa’s resource wealth.
2. Fostering beneficial trade between the United States and Africa.
3. Understanding U.S. investor expectations for accessing capital.
4. Overcoming investment challenges with African raw materials and fund repatriation.
5. Exploring new African governmental initiatives to benefit U.S. investors
Panel 1
How can trade between the United State and Africa be promoted to ensure that the USA and the African Nations are able to gain value out of the relationship.
This panel will highlight the resources that African countries have, which countries have the key resources, and how can foreign investors access these resources. The panel will also shine a light on what the US needs to do to build on their competitive advantage in the African continent market.
Panel 2
What are the expectations of USA investors that African firms must pay attention to in order to gain access to relevant funding from these investors?
This panel will highlight some of the critical challenges that investors in sectors such as mining, agriculture, water, generators face etc. and what solutions are currently available.
Panel 3
What new initiatives are the governments of these African countries coming up with to assist USA investors get access to these resources in a mutually beneficial way.
This panel will highlight some of the policies and initiatives that some African countries have put in place to encourage investors from the USA.
FIRESIDE CHAT
Expected outcome of USA edition:
- Facilitate solutions
- Developing partnerships which promotes US-Africa Trade
- The official launch of the African Leaders and Partners Forum Membership
Agenda & Key Details
Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening event
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Opening Remarks and Presentation
on African Leaders and Partners Forum
Speaker
Adjoa Adjei-Twum
President and CEO, EBII Group Corp.
Welcome Remarks
9:20 AM – 9:40 AM
Welcome and Overview
Emphasis on the forum's purpose and the significance of collaboration
Speaker
H.E. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze
African Union Ambassador to the US
Keynote Address
9:40 AM - 10:10 AM
Topic: A focus on Sierra Leone’s and Tanzania’s resources
Speakers:
H.E. Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai
Embassy Republic of Sierra Leone Ambassador to USA
H.E. Ambassador Elsie Sia Kanza
United Republic of Tanzania's Ambassador to the US
Panel 1
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Topic: US Firms Access to Africa’s Resources and Building Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Speakers:
Dr. Thabi Leoka
BOARD MEMBER OF ANGLO AMERICAN PLATINUM LTD., INSTITUTE AND MTN SA (PTY) LTD.
Wala Blegay
Vice-Chair of Prince George’s County Council, Maryland
H.E. Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai
Embassy Republic of Sierra Leone Ambassador to USA
Sebastian Ashong-Katai
CEO OF ECOBANK, SIERRA LEONE
Coffee Break
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Panel 2
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Topic: Challenges in Accessing African Resources and Repatriating Funds
Speakers:
Jesse Corradi
MANAGING DIRECTOR, AFRICA U.S. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (DFC)
William Pollen
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, INVEST IN AFRICA
Jackie Chimhanzi
CEO, AFRICAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE & VARIOUS COMPANIES' BOARD DIRECTOR
Eric Guichard
FOUNDER & CEO OF HOMESTRINGS, INC., A DIASPORA INVESTMENT ADVISORY PLATFORM
Romi Bhatia
SR. FINANCE & INVESTMENT OFFICER UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AFRICA BUREAU/OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Membership Inquiry Session
12:45 PM – 1:05 PM
Lunch
1:10 PM – 2:10 PM
Keynote Address
2:10 PM – 3:10 PM
Speakers:
REP. ILHAN ABDULLAHI OMAR
MEMBER OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.E HAJIA ALIMA MAHAMA
GHANAIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
H.E. Ambassador Mobolaji S. Ogundero
DEPUTY AMBASSADOR, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TO THE US
Andrew Skipper
CO-CHAIR OF THE UK GOVERNMENT AFRICA INVESTORS GROUP (AIG)
Fireside Chat: Future of US-Africa Relations
3:10 PM – 3:35 PM
Panel 3
3:40 PM – 4:40 PM
Topic: African Governments' Initiatives for Assisting US Investors
Speakers:
H.E Hajia Alima Mahama
GHANAIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE USA
H.E. Ambassador Alfredo Nuvunga
Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to the USA
H.E. Ambassador Elsie Sia Kanza
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE US
H.E. Ambassador Mobolaji S. Ogundero
DEPUTY AMBASSADOR, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA TO THE US
Closing Event
4:40 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks and Presentation
Speaker
Adjoa Adjei-Twum
President and CEO, EBII Group Corp.
Networking Cocktail Reception
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Moderators:
Michelle Miller
NEWS CORRESPONDENCE, CBS NEWS
WILL HAILER
CEO ROSE LAKE INC
Hope Jam Jeffries
CEO and Co-Founder JANOVA Consulting, LLC
Photos from Past Events
Africa Investment Risk & Compliance Summit 2022
President Akufo-Addo speaks at EBII Africa IRC Summit 2021
Africa Investments Risk & Compliance Summit 2021
Register Now
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with leaders who are shaping Africa’s future.
About EBII
The EBII Group Corp. is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Washington DC. The EBII Group is an Oxford University Innovation backed Risk Management organisation. We provide services aimed at helping businesses work with or partner with African entities where complex and unique compliance challenges exist. We leverage risk management and compliance to accelerate investment, trade and economic development across the African Continent
Over the last three years, the EBII Group has hosted its flagship annual Africa Investment Risk and Compliance Summit (AIRCS), converging political and business leaders, academics and regulators to find coordinated solutions to Africa’s investment challenges. The summit’s influence has grown exponentially over the years. It has hosted key decision makers, including Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio, US Congresswoman Rep. Ilhan Omar, Dr. Mo Ibrahim and African Continental Free Trade Secretary General, H.E Wamkele Mene, Oxford University’s Vice Chancellor. As a result, it has attracted over 5000 attendees from 80 countries and been featured on global media networks such as BBC, CNN, CNBC, and Sky News.
Where
African Union Mission, 1640 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
When
16th November 2023
9am – 6pm EST
