Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE), hosted a special edition of “Advance with Africa” in Atlanta.
This event, part of a national U.S. Chamber roadshow, aimed to highlight the vast trade and investment opportunities in Africa, a continent undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization and projected to be home to 1 in 4 of the world’s citizens by 2050.
Kendra Gaither, President of the U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Africa Business Center, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, noting its success since its launch in Atlanta in 2022.
Gaither highlighted the program’s engagement of thousands of U.S. entrepreneurs seeking opportunities to scale their businesses through trade and investment in Africa. She underscored the vital role of the private sector in strengthening the economic relationship between the United States and Africa.
The Chamber’s partnership with PAC-ADE signifies the recognition, from the highest levels of government, of the value that American business leaders of the African diaspora bring to fostering the U.S. economic relationship with African nations.
The Atlanta roadshow attracted hundreds of business owners, ranging from small business entrepreneurs to corporate executives.
Key dialogues focused on providing business owners with the necessary tools for expanding into African markets, with insights shared by past Advance with Africa attendees who have achieved success in this regard, as well as Council Members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement.
Through discussions, speeches, and panels featuring public and private sector leaders, Advance with Africa aims to enhance U.S. business owners’ understanding of commercial and investment opportunities on the African continent.
By prioritizing engagement with small- and medium-sized enterprises and Black-owned businesses, the initiative seeks to foster equitable growth for American entrepreneurs and creators while reshaping perceptions of Africa.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to continue the Advance with Africa roadshow, with future stops including the program’s first-ever business delegation to Africa, scheduled for later this year.
This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to deepening economic ties between the United States and Africa, unlocking new avenues for collaboration, and driving mutual prosperity.