U.S. Chamber Embarks on Infrastructure Mission to Africa

American Businesses Look to Invest in Water, Energy, Construction, and Transport Sectors

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Initiative (ABI) yesterday launched a weeklong infrastructure mission to Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia to provide an opportunity for American businesses to directly engage with influential government and industry leaders in the region, opening the door for U.S. investment in these rapidly growing economies.

The goal of the mission is to organize face-to-face meetings between U.S. businesses and government representatives, and African government and industry leaders. These forums will enable American energy, defense, communications, and private equity executives to interact with those responsible for determining the continent’s infrastructure needs.

“Africa is a region of the world on the move and we have to start building strong business ties now,” said Scott Eisner, the Chamber’s executive director of International Affairs. “The Chamber is fully committed to ensuring that the American business community has a seat at Africa’s table.”

During the eight-day, three-nation tour the Chamber will also host its American partners at various lunches, dinners, and receptions. They include the National Black Chamber of Commerce, American Chambers of Commerce, ambassadors, and senior-level officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

“From roads to power generation to e-government initiatives, there is a lot of experience and expertise we can lend to our African partners,” said Eisner. “Ours is a partnership that will help define the future of Africa.”

The Africa Business Initiative (ABI) engages the U.S. business community on legislative policies that foster foreign direct investment in Africa, facilitates trade between the United States and African countries, and introduces U.S. companies to the continent’s vast economic opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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