NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Friday, June 10, 2005

The business climate on the continent of Africa is changing for the better as last year, Africa saw the highest rates of return on investment of any region in the world.

Many international investors have already learned that they can earn money along with their African partners while making significant contributions to improving African economies-critical to addressing poverty.

Now Americans, particularly small and medium business owners, are waking up to the win-win opportunities in Africa.

It is against this backdrop that The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) convenes its 5th US-Africa Business Summit in Baltimore 21-24 June.

More than 2,000 participants are expected, including American and African businesses, public officials and international non-profit organizations.

Africans and Americans will meet to share their respective expertise in areas such as technical know-how and marketplace realities.

“Our primary goal is to strengthen trade and investment ties between the US and the 53 countries of Africa,” said CCA president Stephen Hayes Thursday as he announced the summit.

“This summit will provide a forum for small, medium-sized and Fortune 500 businesses to identify potential partnerships. In addition, there will be workshops on key issues and discussions on the impact of international trade policies, as well as critical information American companies need on doing business in Africa.”
Story found here.