(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – The City of Dallas is set to host the prestigious 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa from May 6-9, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center Dallas, showcasing the city’s commitment to fostering global economic partnerships.
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit serves as a platform for African and U.S. private sector and government representatives to engage at the highest levels on a range of issues impacting the U.S.-Africa economic relationship.
“Dallas is honored to host the 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Hosting this important event is a testament to the success of Dallas as an internationally recognized leader in business, culture and entertainment,” Mayor Eric L. Johnson said. “As the headquarters of eleven Fortune 500 Companies and home to two world-class airports, Dallas is the perfect location for this Summit. Through this Summit, Dallas will continue to attract international tourists and build relationships with foreign governments and global investors.”
The Summit promises to be a dynamic gathering, bringing together over 1,500 distinguished leaders from both the United States and Africa, spanning the public and private sectors. Among the attendees will be African Heads of State, international investors, senior government officials from the U.S. and Africa, Fortune 500 executives, leading small businesses and key stakeholders from multilateral organizations.
“The 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit represents a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the United States and Africa,” said Florizelle Liser, president and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa. “This gathering will facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration, ultimately advancing mutual prosperity and sustainable development.”
Dallas/Fort Worth also has deep ties to Africa with the following noteworthy statistics:
1. Africa’s GDP has been growing at an average rate of 3.3% per year, surpassing the global average. The continent is home to 6 of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world, offering immense business opportunities.
2. Total exports and imports between the African continent and DFW were $324,000,000 in 2023.
3. North Texas is home to some of the largest African diasporas with the largest Igbo community (from Nigeria) in North America, as well as migrants from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, among others.
4. Africa has a rapidly growing middle class, with consumer spending expected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025.
5. With the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement in 2021, a single market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion was created and growing.
“This will be the first time the Summit is being held in the United States since 2017, and the first one held outside Washington in the U.S. in 12 years,” said John Olajide, founder and CEO of Dallas-based Axxess and chair of the CCA. “Dallas has more Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies than many major U.S. Cities, and we want to bring the best of Africa and have them engage to find new opportunities to work together.”
Four distinguished African Heads of State have confirmed their participation in the Summit with more expected, including President Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi of the Republic of Botswana, President Faure Gnassingbé of the Republic of Togo, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi, and President Jose Maria Neves, Cabo Verde. The Summit will provide an invaluable opportunity bringing together the best of what Africa has to offer with the best in the United States.
Participants will engage in strategic dialogue on the key issues and opportunities driving U.S.-Africa trade, investment and commercial engagement, network with key decisionmakers, and explore avenues for sustainable business partnerships between the U.S. and Africa. Beyond the typical conference dialogue, the Summit will facilitate direct interactions between government representatives, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and investors to drive impactful collaboration and business deals.
Learn more at https://www.usafricabizsummit.com.