​World Business Minds Converge In Ethiopia for #AfricaBizSummit

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia played host to African Heads of State government representatives from the all parts of Africa, the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East Business leaders for the ongoing 10th Biennial U.S –Africa Business Summit. The main objective of the Summit is to boast investment and trade in Africa and U.S.

The Summit is an important conference for any business person in the region because of its insightful plenary sessions, sector-focused panels, country-specific forums, peer-to-peer roundtables, site visits, exhibitions and networking opportunities

The Summit has been organized by the Corporate Council on Africa and held every two years; the 2016 summit is being attended by around 1,200 participants including CEOs of major US and African companies.

Africa has great potential but poor Infrastructure and corruption has kept American Countries from exploiting the full potential of the continent.

Despite the challenges US Companies have continued to increase investment in the region and export of merchandise to the Sub Sahara has risen, going up 58 per cent since 2009.Merchandise exports reached nearly $24 billion in 2013, an increase of $8.8 billion since 2009, with goods exports to sub-Saharan Africa supporting over 100,000 US jobs in 2013.

Building modern infrastructure, creating jobs and opportunities for the youths and expanding access to health and education for residents through investments and partnerships should be a positive needed outcome from the summit

The summit is focusing on key opportunities and challenges in agribusiness, energy, health, infrastructure, security, trade facilitation, ICT and finance to increase trade and investment

In the recent past the western Countries have ventured in African to explore for investment opportunities. Just about 2 months ago WTO was held in Nairobi Kenya and for the first time in Africa opening many opportunity for the continent at large.

Last month, Eminent Business Group with the help of Awal Consulting Limited held International Islamic Finance Conference 2016 here in Nairobi another great boast to the Investment industry in the Country and Africa.

Article by Amina Mbuthia.