The U.S. continues to be Africa’s leading single country trade partner, with a combined trade relationship of approximately $70 billion in 2006. For the past five years, U.S.-Africa total trade has been progressively increasing, this status quo, however, is set to change dramatically in the near future. Top challengers for investment opportunities in Africa include China, India, South Africa, Russia, and the European Union countries, all of which are enhancing their investment growth strategies for the continent. Recently, U.S. investors have been cautious about expanding their investments in Africa, partly due to past experiences or general risk averseness. An overwhelming majority of African countries, including those represented on this panel, are effectively reshaping themselves as secure and attractive markets for capital and labor intensive investments. Real investment opportunities exist in mining, infrastructure development, aviation, agric-processing, power/energy, and tourism among numerous other sectors. This distinguished panel will address the foremost challenges and opportunities for propelling and sustaining U.S. investment in Africa.

China is significantly expanding its economic strategic partnership with Africa. From energy (oil), to infrastructure (roads and rail), telecommunications, mining, textiles and apparel sectors, the growth of China’s influence in Africa is dramatic. In 2005, China became the largest single country exporter to Sub-Saharan Africa, with $13.4 billion in exports to the region. Chinese economic strategists believe China’s development model resonates powerfully with African counterparts, thereby having a positive impact on Africa’s development in comparison with the West. Opposing arguments suggest that China’s rampant growth in fact has a number of adverse trade-offs, including the flooding of markets with inferior products and ineffective skills transfer. At the same time, U.S. businesses are charged with not being aggressive enough in African markets, thereby leaving the playing field open to competition from China. This distinguished panel will weigh different perspectives of this debate, while contributing constructive feedback on avenues for China-Africa-U.S. trilateral dialogue and collaboration in support of Africa’s growth objectives.

Domestic and foreign investment rates in African countries remain lower than in other developing countries. A convergence of factors such as the inability of local African lenders to provide substantial long-term financing, and the hesitation of international financiers to provide funding due to the perception of non-repayment risk have led to the creation of numerous mechanisms for developing and financing long-term projects and general investments. Private capital, BOOT (build, own, operate, and transfer) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are a few models of project financing that you will find employed in Africa today. The IFC’s Doing Business Report has recognized many African countries as top reformers in business regulatory environments. Due to these developments, and partly fueled by funds with surplus capital from commodity price increases, Africa received a record high $39 billion in foreign domestic investment (FDI) in 2006. Key growth sectors where these new financing models are being employed include power (oil and gas, and electricity), telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure. Panelists will discuss the evolving financing landscape in Africa, the availability of strong local partners, and the many challenges and opportunities they face on the continent. In addition, panelists will address specific opportunities for U.S. companies and organizations to increase their lending activities in Africa.

The plenary session will be a dialogue among American private sector and African and international decision makers on the current and future impact of health on business from an economic development and productivity standpoint. Ill health, particularly HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, are having a significant impact on business and economic growth in Africa. What strategies are businesses and governments engaging in to mitigate the impact on business? What are the responsibilities of business and government in addressing the broader societal implications of disease beyond their workforces? What is the responsibility of business vs. government in improving access to health care and health outcomes of citizens?

This plenary will examine the importance of capital markets for African growth and development and offer some suggestions as to how to achieve the benefits of a stock exchange without necessarily incurring all the costs.

Energy (oil and gas) continues to account for the bulk of U.S.-Africa trade. Key African producers including Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad are expected to supply approximately 20 percent of U.S. energy requirements by 2015. The commodity price boom, combined with macroeconomic reform policies in many African countries, is fostering historic economic growth rates that will require dramatically increased power generation. U.S. investors have made substantial capital-intensive investments in the oil sector in Africa, and are leaders in implementing off-shore technology in the Gulf of Guinea. This partnership is changing with the entry of Asian competitors, who are more willing to invest in the downstream sector that is crucial to the development of domestic power production. Severe power shortages in many African countries offer opportunities for new U.S. investment in that sector. To attract that investment, African countries need to create sound cross-border regional collaboration, implement clear legal and regulatory frameworks, and balance economic growth policies with social and environmental concerns. This distinguished panel will address the foremost challenges and opportunities for increasing U.S. investment in energy and power in Africa.