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THE 2009 U.S.-AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT
September 29 - October 1, 2009 - Washington, D.C.
From September 29-October 1, 2009 leaders from the public and private sectors hailing from 58 different countries gathered for the 7th biennial Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Themed, Realizing the Investment Power of Africa, the summit was held September 29 to October 1, 2009 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This summit focused on the following sectors: agribusiness, financing, health, infrastructure, natural resources development, power and tourism.
While the core portion of the program occurred during these days, the summit was bookended with a number of auxiliary events that also focused on trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa, making it a week-long event. In addition to the more than 65 plenary and workshop sessions, the summit included an EXPO, two formal dinners, an internet café, business to business matchmaking program, “Doing Business in [country]” forums, a sponsor hospitality suite, and one-on-one private meeting space.
Many are calling this summit the best to date. The event drew more than 1,300 attendees—including representatives from a range of U.S. business and government agencies, six African heads of state, more than 390 presenters, a record-breaking number of sponsors, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
2009 U.S. – Africa Business Summit Week In Review
Monday, September 28
The summit week began with an unprecedented meeting of CCA’s international counterparts from Europe, South Africa, Canada and Japan.
In partnership with the government of Ethiopia, CCA organized an Ethiopian-specific business event that was part of the summit “Doing Business” forum series. The forums were attended by standing room only crowds and presentations from each country’s government officials and business leaders. The “Doing Business in Ethiopia” forum included Getachew Ayele, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia and Donald Yamamoto, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa.
Monday also marked the first day of the U.S. – South Africa Business Dialogue, a meeting co-hosted by CCA and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). This invitation-only meeting allowed U.S. companies and government officials to discuss new investment and partnership opportunities with their South African counterparts. At the end of the week, CCA President and CEO Stephen Hayes and BUSA’s CEO Jerry Vilakazi signed an agreement of cooperation that seeks to embark on a new era in the U.S. –South Africa relationship.
Tuesday, September 29
The “Doing Business in…” forums for Angola and Namibia were held on Tuesday. Hosted in partnership with the U.S. – Angola Chamber of Commerce and government of Angola, this forum included participation from senior-level participants including a U.S. trade representative for Africa; Maria de Abrantes, Angola Trade Representative; and Tiago Gomes, general secretary, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angola. It should be noted that Angola had the largest delegation from Africa attending the summit. The “Doing Business in Namibia” forum was led by Hage Geingob, Namibia’s minister of trade. This forum was hosted in partnership with the government of Namibia.
On Tuesday evening, registrants were treated to a welcome reception and dinner that was filled with entertainment, a special segment on the 2010 World Cup, and a keynote address from African Union Commission Chair Jean Ping.
Wednesday, September 30
The core summit program began on Wednesday morning with the opening plenary session, entitled, “Financing: Africa Looking Beyond the Global Financial Crisis.” Neal Wolin, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury opened the session with a keynote address.
The remainder of the day was filled with sector-specific plenary and workshops; and networking breaks, including a special presentation made by CCA member Novus International during their sponsored lunch. Immediately following the networking luncheon, attendees were treated to an unprecedented panel discussion that was introduced by CNBC’s Erin Burnett and moderated by Fleishman-Hillard President and Senior Partner Jack Modzelewski. Participating heads of state included Paul Kagame (Rwanda); John Atta Mills (Ghana); Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of Congo); and Fradique de Menezes (São Tomé & Principe).
On Wednesday evening a private, invitation-only dinner was hosted at the CCA offices in honor of President Kagame. Other private dinners were also hosted this evening by CCA member companies for other visiting dignitaries.
Thursday, October 1
Thursday was the second and final day of sector-specific sessions, including a trade plenary session that focused on bilateral, regional and global trade agreements. Panelists included Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a keynote address immediately following the trade session.
During the Summit’s Gala Awards Dinner, CCA presented its first-ever lifetime achievement award and business excellence awards to companies operating in Africa’s most vibrant sectors. For the Lifetime Achievement Award, CCA honored Ambassador Andrew Young for his career-spanning commitment to Africa. Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the President of Somalia’s transitional government gave remarks at the dinner.
Friday, October 2
Summit week concluded with the CCA-hosted U.S. – Nigeria Business Dialogue. Similarly to the U.S. – South Africa Business Dialogue, this invitation-only meeting allowed U.S. companies and government officials to discuss new investment and partnership opportunities with their Nigerian counterparts. CCA President and CEO Stephen Hayes signed an MOU with Frank Nweke, Director General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. The MOU seeks to deepen U.S. – Nigerian business relations.
CCA’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit is the organization’s flagship event. The next summit is scheduled for 2011.
If you have any questions, please e-mail
Levels of Sponsorship
PLATINUM LEVEL
DIAMOND LEVEL
GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL
Abbot Fund
Acrow Bridges
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
General Electric Company
Hess Corporation
Johnson & Johnson
J-R Boulle Corporation
Merck & Co. Inc.
Pfizer Inc/
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Raytheon
SEACOM
SOC
Tetra Tech Inc.
BRONZE LEVEL
AECOM
Accession International
Africa Export-Import Bank
Africa Investor
African Review
American Cancer Society
Boeing Company
Buchanan Renewables
CCA HIV/AIDS Initiative
Development Finance International
EMEA FInance
Emerging Capital Partners
FT "This is Africa"
Gauteng Province
International Finance Corporation
MITC Investimentos
Motorola
News Africa U.K., Ltd
Pan African Capital Group, LLC
Patton Boggs LLP
SABMiller plc
SPIntelligent
Standard Bank
The Africa Channel
The Africa Report
United Bank for Africa Group
Kingdom Zephyr Africa Management
Supporter
Academy for Educational Development
Afropop
CARANA Corporation
Danya International
Ford Foundation
IPX International Systems, Inc.
Rockefeller Foundation
USAID
World Cocoa Foundation
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"The 2009 CCA U.S. – Africa Business Summit was an amazing line up of very high powered and engaged decision makers and administration supporters. All info was highly relevant and interesting in accordance with US policy for Africa and served to further the business and trade development between US corporations/businesses and African countries. Spot on!"
Melanie Baker
SOC
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“The U.S. – Africa Business Summit presents an extraordinary opportunity to forge business partnerships. It is a pre-eminent gathering of top level business executives and senior government officials from the U.S. and Africa.”
Sola Omole
Chevron Corporation
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"At CCA’s U.S. – Africa Business Summit companies have ample time, in formal and informal settings, to discuss and share best practices that work to advance our business objectives.”
Will Stephens
Johnson & Johnson
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"I like the focus on making real business connections through the business matchmaking, the deal book, the networking sessions, and the attendees list. These were real tangible mechanisms that facilitated business development among the attendees.”
Monica Mason
John Deere
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“[The summit] was a “10 out of 10” in my opinion. There were many highlights, but one of my favorite parts was Steve’s introduction of Hillary Clinton, followed by her outstanding remarks. The CCA staff are the best you have ever had, and conducted themselves in a very professional manner through the entire program. Congratulations!”
William Guyton
World Cocoa Foundation
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“Thank you s-o-o very much for facilitating AORTIC’s participation in the recently completed and successful Corporate Council on Africa – U.S. –Africa Business Summit. It was wonderful and a very valuable experience for our organization! You have a first class operation there at CCA and all members of the organization should take pride in a job well done.”
Carrie P. Hunter
AORTIC
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