On behalf of the Corporate Council on Africa’s (CCA) Broad of Directors and our more than 160 members representing large and small U.S. companies, we are pleased to welcome you to the fourth biennial U.S.– Africa Business Summit. This year’s Summit will focus on five themes: assisting U.S. and African companies to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); increasing financing opportunities on the continent; creating partnerships between U.S. and African companies; working with the African Economic Communities; and supporting relief for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Participating in this year’s Summit is a record number of more than 1,500 representatives from the private and pubic sectors, demonstrating the rapidly growing interest in Africa’s economic development.

CCA’s mission is to enhance commercial ties between the United States and the 53 countries in Africa. The Summit, the largest of it size in the United States, serves as a valuable resource for all participants in building partnerships, engaging in thoughtful dialogue for future development, and further strengthening existing relationships between CCA members and participating African businesses.

The Summit will provide you with opportunities to explore partnerships with small and medium sized U.S. and African businesses as well as hear from the highest-ranking officials from the U.S. and Africa. In addition to plenary and workshop sessions, CCA is hosting its first U.S. – Africa Trade Show featuring 115 exhibits. All Summit activities are designed to create opportunities for participants to network and further their international operations.

This Summit presents us with a unique opportunity to forge relationships that will lead to untold opportunities for development in Africa.

Welcome.