AU Mission, Washington, DC - Invest In Africa, June 2018

AFRICAN UNION MISSION | WASHINGTON, DC

Invest in

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June

The African Diaspora

African Union Mission, Washington, DC New Leadership, Fresh Vision

The African Diaspora Africa's Next Big Development Partners

Africa & US Engagement The Trump Factor

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

EDITORIAL

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS

MANAGING EDITOR

H.E. Paul Kagame

FREDERICK NNOMA-ADDISON

President of the Republic of Rwanda and African Union Chairman

AU EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat

H.E. DR. ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI-QUAO AU COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

MAUREEN NKANDU AU EDITORIAL LIAISON

Chairperson of the African Union Commission

H.E. Thomas Kwesi Quartey Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao AU Permanent Representative to the United States

JOSEPHA MUSHABE MUSABYEMARIYA

Hon, Albert Muchanga

AU POLICY OFFICER

Commissioner for Trade and Industry African Union Commission

SERAPHINE MANIRAMBONA AU ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Dr. David Luke

MIRIAM MENDA

Coordinator, Africa Trade Policy Center UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

CONTENT EDITOR

H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi

BERYL NNOMA-ADDISON

Commissioner, Political Affairs, The African Union Commission

Ahmed El-Basheer A. El-Madani An official publication of the African Union Representational Mission to the United States of America 1640 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20007 United States Tel: +1 (202) 342 1100 Fax: +1 (202) 342 1114 Email: au_Washington@africa-union.org Published by AMIP News Africa Media-Image Project, Inc. Publishers of: • United States & Africa Relations: The Obama Presidency (2017) • United States & Ghana: Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship & Progress (2010/2012) • United States & Nigeria: Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship & Progress (2010) www.amipnewsonline.org | Email: info@afroimagetv.org PO Box 1090 Washington, DC 20013-1090 Tel: +1 (202) 460 3912 | +1 (202) 460 3906 Fax: +1 (267) 873 9074

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Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO)

Honorable Boyd K. Rutherford, Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland

Honorable John C. Wobensmith, Secretary of State, State of Maryland

Grant T. Harris CEO, Harris Africa Partners, LLC

Dr. Remi Duyile President, Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association (PADWA)

Mercy Erhiawarien Writer, The ONE Campaign

The World Bank Group Africa Region Frederick Nnoma-Addison President & CEO, AMIP News

John J. Stremlau Bradlow Fellow, South African Institute of International Affairs

Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban Digital Journalist, Africanews, Bilingual Pan-African News Channel Republic of Congo

Tom Minney African Capital Markets News

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CONTENTS FOREWORDS H.E. PAUL KAGAME President of the Republic of Rwanda and African Union Chairman

H.E. MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT Chairperson, African Union Commission H.E. THOMAS KWESI QUARTEY Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

H.E. DR. ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI-QUAO African Union Permanent Representative to the United States of America

The African Union t t30th AU Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 t tHistory of the African Union (AU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 t tAfrica Day 2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 t tAgenda 2063 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 t tAfrican Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 t tAdvancing Women’s Rights in Africa

H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi Commissioner, Political Affairs, African Union Commission ����������������������������������������������22

t tAU-EU Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

AU Mission, Washington, DC ttVisit of AU Commission Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ttAU-PROLAW Scholars Visit Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 ttSirleaf and Banda visit Africa House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ttAU—World Conference of Mayors Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ttGrand Africa Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Invest in Africa t tAU Diaspora Village Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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t tSix Reasons to Invest in Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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t tSix Fastest Growing Economies in Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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t tAfrica’s Pulse (World Bank Report) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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t tTop 10 Investment Destinations in 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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t tZimbabwe Open for Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Co ntents

Agenda 2063 and the Diaspora ttAhmed El-Basheer A. El-Madani

Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO). . . . . 62

ttAU Citizens and Diaspora Directorate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 ttCelebrate Africa 2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 ttPan-African Diaspora Women’s Association. . . . . . . . . . . 74 ttAccompong, Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 ttDiaspora by the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 ttBridging the Gap—Literally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 ttPacesetters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 ttInaugural African Diaspora

Young Leaders (ADYL) Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

ttBrain Drain to Brain Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

ttYoung African Professionals (YAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

ttBook Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Africa & US Engagement ttTrump Administration & Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 ttIgnoring Africa Endangers America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 ttAU-US High-level Dialogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 ttAU-US Ministerial Dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 ttAGOA Summit—TOGO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 ttUsed Clothing Saga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 ttEarly Diagnosis of Trump’s Presidency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 ttDeportations and Bans on US Visas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

ttNAACP and AAI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

ttFood Security and Importation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

ttAmbassador Donald Yamamoto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Washington News ttWinternational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 ttAfrican Diplomatic Corps, Washington, DC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 ttNew in Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

ttAfrican Embassies/Ambassadors Directory ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 144 ttInvestment Organizations’ Directory �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 146

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PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME (RWANDA) Chairperson of the African Union Acceptance Speech 30th African Union Summit, Addis Ababa 28 January 2018

t is a solemn honour, to accept the call to serve as Chairperson of our Union.

Thank you for your double trust. First as the leader of the reform process and now as the leader of our Union.

I promise to do this with you and do the best job I can.

Obviously, I will need your full support.

President Alpha Condé is a professor, a teacher, and I can safely say that I have learned from him. I have also seen his very big heart for Africa.

Congratulations Mr President.

Please join me paying tribute to his impeccable service to our organisation.

I have been lucky to work with his predecessor President Idriss Deby, and even luckier, to work with both of them. I want to assure you that I had a lot of wisdom flowing from them.

Africa’s defining challenge is to create a pathway to prosperity for our people, especially young people.

Elsewhere, this has been achieved through

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industrialisation. But the growth trajectory that transformed Asia is not necessarily any longer a viable option for Africa, simply because we waited too long to act.

Technology has evolved so rapidly in recent years, that Africa’s window to follow that strategy is narrowing much more rapidly than previously understood.

We are running out of time, and we must act now to save Africa from permanent deprivation.

Scale is essential. We must create a single continental market, integrate our infrastructure, and infuse our economies with technology.

No country or region can manage on its own. We have to be functional, and we have to stay together.

The financial and institutional reform of the African Union derives all of its urgency from these realities.

Fortunately, Africa has assets and strengths to build on, starting with this organisation, and its tangible commitment to unity.

This is an advantage, which no other region of the world possesses, in such abundance.

Unity must be our starting point, as we do the necessary work of re-defining our plans and ambitions, in continental terms.

These changes need to happen. There is no country on our continent that does not want to be part of a more assertive and visible Africa.

The programmes, policies, and priorities of the African Union contain the right tools for the job.

I wish to pay tribute to previous leaders of the African Union, and to former Heads of State, for paving the way forward.

There is tremendous value in the African Union’s flagship initiatives, such as Agenda 2063.

Because of their foresight, we are in a position to adopt three historic agreements, that are of the highest importance for building Africa’s wealth, from within.

Today, we will launch the Single African Air Transport Market. This is a major step forward for transportation.

We are nearly ready to adopt the Continental Free Trade Area.

It really needs to be done this year.

Freedom of movement for people in Africa is equally important, and it is achievable in 2018.

By committing to break down these barriers, we will send a tremendous signal in Africa and beyond, that it is no longer business as usual.

Our people deserve a brighter future. Their sacrifice and hard work should be rewarded with better lives for families and communities.

We are thankful to the Heads of State, who champion important themes and priorities of the Union at every Summit.

I ask that we pay careful attention to their reports, and act on the recommendations offered. This is work they are doing on behalf of all of us.

I wish to commend the efforts of the African Union’s professional staff, which often goes unheralded.

Your hard work and talent are greatly valued. We do not say this, often enough. We are going to be asking you to do even more, going forward.

Soon enough, we will also have the funds to support the African prosperity agenda.

The levy on eligible imports is being implemented, the Golden Rules were recently approved by the Finance Ministers, and we have a more

credible budget process in place.

We have in some ways, in the past, helped perpetuate the narrative that Africa is a burden.

This way of thinking has been around for years. Fixing it won’t take a year, but it need not take more decades either.

None of us would be wrong to feel angry, about the time and potential we have lost, in regard to who we are and should be.

But at the stage we are at, we should choose to respond with focus and facts, in order to underscore our common humanity.

I wish to close with a message to Africa’s young people.

Elders should be able to enjoy the pleasure, of telling you how hard they had it at your age, so you don’t take things for granted, and are inspired to work even harder.

However, too many Africans come of age in the same conditions as their parents and grandparents, and sometimes the hardships endured are even worse.

Our job is to make sure that every generation in Africa, enjoys a better life than the previous one.

Young Africans are also professional men and women, and you have a full role to play. We cannot build Africa without you.

For women especially, we need to unreservedly accord them their full rights and roles.

I thank you.

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FOREWORD

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Y

outh has been at the center of our agenda, as the African Union works to open up opportunities for them in every field. 2017 was the year of Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in Youth.

This made it possible to renew our commitments, as African States and institutions, to achieve our targets for young people, including through reducing the proportion of youth

unemployment by at least 2 % annually. In adopting the African Union Demographic Dividend Roadmap, Member States have pledged to open up financial services for young people, promote entrepreneurship, increase investments in health, education, and create spaces for youth civic engagement and political participation. They further pledged to mobilize investments in sectors with

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the potential for high employment multiplier effects and to engage the corporate sector to encourage on-the-job training and philanthropic programmes.

Member States also renewed their commitments to empowering the youth through the ratification, domestication and full implementation of all African Union Shared Values instruments, including the African Youth Charter and

Fo r eword

the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

I am pleased that several African Union Member States have launched the Continental Demographic Dividend Roadmap and committed to report annually on progress made. The vast majority of Member States completed the development of their Demographic Dividend profiles. This now gives us a clearer picture of the high-impact

further the advancement of our people.

While the task of making these aspirations into reality is a long one, we are confident that it will be achieved.

This year, the Commission reevaluated the effectiveness of its previous policies and strategies with respect to gender equality and women’s empowerment on the continent. On this basis, a new gender equality and empowerment

adoption by the African Union Summit of January 2018.

The Commission will also accelerate the implementation of a number of continental policies, including in the area of infrastructure, with the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), and agriculture, with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). In this respect,

2017 has been a particularly eventful year, with the assumption of duty of a new Commission. I have had the privilege of serving with a diverse group of individuals over the past nine months, and the results have been encouraging. areas that require strategic investments in order to harness the demographic dividend. I call upon the Member States that have not yet done so to complete these profiles.

Reports of African migrants being auctioned as slaves in Libya by international criminal networks were received with shock across the continent and beyond. In response, the Commission took a number of steps, including working with the Libyan authorities, as well as the United Nations, the European Union, the International Organization for Migration and the High Commissioner for Refugees, as part of an African Union-led task force, to facilitate and accelerate the voluntary repatriation of migrants. I requested the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights to carry out an investigation into the situation and to report as soon as possible. Alongside this, the Commission will also take additional steps to address the underlying drivers of irregular migration.

In November, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which was established to

strategy has been developed, which ensures better alignment with agenda 2063, places stronger emphasis on tangible results and accountability, and promotes innovative practices.

Regional integration remained a priority for the African Union.

Significant progress has been made regarding the negotiations over the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

Following the 4th meeting of the African Ministers of Trade, held in Niamey in December 2017, it is envisaged that the CFTA agreement and other related documents would be adopted in March 2018. The CFTA, which is a flagship project of Agenda 2063, will create a market of over 1.2 billion people. Its establishment will significantly increase intra-African trade, create economies of scale and regional value chains, and augment job opportunities. In parallel, a legal framework for the management of migration and mobility – the Protocol to the Treaty Estabilishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment has been elaborated. It is due for

greater emphasis will be placed on food security and safety.

Another Agenda 2063 flagship project is the Single African Air Transport Market. This initiative is a follow-up to the Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1999, and will be launched in January 2018, on the margins of the African Union Summit. Twenty-three Member States have pledged their solemn commitment to the Single Air Market, the implementation of which will increase the number of routes, reduce the cost of air travel and contribute to the expansion of intra-African trade and tourism. I call on all Member States that have not yet done so to join this important initiative.

On the institutional building front, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government took an important decision to transform our Union into an effective and efficient institution capable of accelerating progress towards economic integration, peace, security and overall prosperity for African citizens. In line with this decision, I have established a Reform Implementation Unit to co-ordinate the implementation process. I am particularly pleased with the progress

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Foreword

we are making on the “Financing the Union” agenda. In 2018, Member States will be funding almost 40% of the African Union programme budget, compared to less than 5% in 2015 when the initiative was launched. A number of measures will be taken to strengthen overall finance and budget management accountability. In January 2018, I will be submitting a progress report, setting out a number of reform implementation proposals and recommendations, for discussion by the Summit.

Several successful elections were held in Member States. I note, in particular, the peaceful conduct of presidential and representative elections in Liberia. This bears testimony to the commitment of the Liberian people and leaders to sustain peace in their country. I congratulate the peoples and Governments of the countries that held elections for their commitment to ensuring smooth electoral processes, moving us closer to realizing the spirit and letter of the African Charter on Elections, Governance and Democracy. I urge all concerned to respect the will of the people, abide by their national and international obligations, and to use non-violent and legal means in resolving electoral disputes.

As we work towards building stronger institutions and promoting prosperity, the fight against corruption assumes even greater importance and urgency. It is a well-recognized fact that corruption hinders efforts aimed

at promoting democratic governance, socio-economic transformation and peace and security. It creates inequality in our societies and erodes the rule of law. While empirical evidence shows that Africa has made some encouraging steps in the last five years, huge challenges remain. In recognition of these, the African Union Assembly declared 2018 as the African AntiCorruption Year (Project 2018), with the theme “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”

The African Union remains committed to working with the Member States to deliver on the ambitious Agenda 2063 flagship project of Silencing the Guns by 2020. We all need to rededicate ourselves to ending violence and sustaining peace in our continent, including by bringing to a successful conclusion the ongoing peace processes in Mali and the Central African Republic, ensuring that the elections planned in the Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2018 take place on time and in a conducive environment, consolidating progress made in Somalia, and ending the threat posed by terrorism in the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, and in Horn of Africa.

It is my earnest hope that the south Sudanese stakeholders will deliver on the commitments made in the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed as part of the IGAD-led Revitalization Forum that took place in Addis Ababa in December

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2017. The people of South Sudan, who have endured so much pain and suffering, desperately need and deserve peace.

We have had several key engagements with our strategic partners. We started the year with a high-level African Union CommissionUnited Nations Secretariat meeting.

We renewed our commitments to work together on Africa’s peace, security and governance challenges. In November, the African Union-European Union Summit took place. The outcomes of these meetings stand to significantly enhance the quality, effectiveness and impact of these partnerships.

As we enter 2018, we should remember all those who lost their lives not because they lost the will to live, but because of the deadly cloud of conflict, intolerance and disregard for human life and endeavor. We ought to do more and better in 2018 to ensure a future for ourselves, our children, our continent and our world, where the right to life, peace, opportunity and protection should be the basic barometer of our shared humanity.

We should not also forget the women and men serving in African Union or United Nations peace operations in Africa. In 2017, many of them were killed in the line of duty.

Their sacrifices should not be in vain.

I wish you all, fellow Africans, a prosperous and peaceful 2018 for our Continent and its people.

FOREWORD

H.E. Thomas Kwesi Quartey Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

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frica is a continent with immense natural resources.

It possesses a dynamic potential for human capital. What Africa needs is to position herself as a strong global player. Our vision is an integrated and prosperous Africa, driven by its own citizens. This is our Agenda 2063. It is Africa’s strategic socio-economic development framework. These are the guiding principles for Africa’s sustainable

development and economic transformation. Despite the recent economic slowdown, Africa’s growth prospects remain positive. More and more, Africa’s growth will have to be less dependent on natural resources.

The growing shift to tertiary service is beginning to bear fruit. Projections from the African Development bank show Africa’s economic outlook is likely to gain momentum in 2018, following recorded improvements

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in 2017 and 2016. GDP growth is projected to expand to 3.7% in 2018 from 3.0% in 2017 and up from 2.2% in 2016.

This is facilitated by improvements in the business environment, largely due to improved macroeconomic governance.

Increased diversification in structures and improved institutional governance have enhanced the continent’s ability to withstand external shocks.

Foreword

The African Risk Capacity (ARC) for instance, has been established as a Specialized Agency of the African Union, to help member states to better plan, prepare, and respond to extreme weather events and natural

an extra 155,000 jobs and USD 1.3 billion in annual GDP would be created in those countries. The African Union is keen to leverage on the prospects of high volumes of trade and ease of movement, which

better and broader access to health services and enable the inclusive participation of women in governance systems as arguably the best drivers to the economic prosperity of our continent. In so doing, we must

Welcome to Invest in Africa 2018. This 8th edition of Invest in Africa takes stock of Africa’s challenges and achievements over the past year. We also identify investment opportunities across multiple sectors. disasters. This will protect the food security of vulnerable populations.

The challenges before us are multidimensional and complex.

Greater intra-African trade is required. The informal sector accounts for 40 percent of Africa’s economy. We need to effectively tap into this latent resource for increased resource mobilization and contribution into national economies.

Hence the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). This will position Africa as a single continental market, paving the way for economic transformation.

The establishment of the CFTA and the implementation of the action plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) provide a comprehensive framework to pursue a developmental regionalism strategy with targets to double intra-African trade flows.

Improving connectivity to foster intra-regional cooperation, tourism, and trade in Africa is also a must. The recent launch of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) has brought momentum to the Aviation industry. A survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggest that if just 12 key African countries opened their markets and increased connectivity,

will subsequently boost tourism within the continent and also expand commerce between Africa and the rest of the world.

The implementation of various African Union flagship projects and initiatives as underlined in Agenda 2063 require bold and strong institutions free from external manipulation. Good leadership and eradication of corruption at all stages will be crucial. It is in this view that the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), in January 2018, resolved to speed up the fight against corruption.

It is to that effect the Assembly adopted the theme: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”

Of key significance, African governments must recognize the benefits of a healthy and educated population. This entails increased investments in early childhood education and development of our young boys and girls, as we continue to harness the demographic dividend of the youth through skills training and talent development. Africa must also ensure the provision of

also keep in mind the significance of school-to-work transition, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs relevant to our national economies, improved access to new technologies, as well as increasing investment in environmental sustainability and climate change.

Furthermore, the role of our private sector is critical in accompanying government efforts and initiatives. Today more than ever, the private sector needs to become the engine of economic growth and poverty reduction at local, national, and continental levels. We must encourage the public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable economic growth and to accelerate the development agenda.

In view of past achievements and the current bold steps in development approaches and trajectories on the continent, Africa is geared to develop into a full-blown integral economy and promises to become a prosperous and peaceful region of the world. Progressive and visionary leadership is key. Nothing but full commitment and contribution of all will allow us to play our rightful role in the international scene.

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FOREWORD

H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao African Union Permanent Representative to the United States hrough this publication, we will articulate Africa’s aspirations, proudly showcase her accomplishments and success stories, and profile investment opportunities in all 55 member countries. Invest in Africa will also report on outcomes of collaborations between Africans on the continent

and in the Diaspora, including the activities of the Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association (PADWA) and the AU Diaspora Health Initiative, which mobilizes Diaspora healthcare professionals and resources to meet needs in Africa.

With an estimated population of 1.2 billion, a large and

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energetic youthful demographic, and bountiful natural resources, Africa offers unprecedented trade and investment opportunities in various sectors including the following: education, information communications technology (ICT), industry, finance, women and youth, health, and infrastructure.

Foreword

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you the newly rebranded African Union (AU) magazine, Invest in Africa, which is now produced by the African Union Mission to the United States of America, in Washington, DC. The new emphasis of this magazine is the African Diaspora and its role in Africa’s socioeconomic development, and I am extremely honored to champion this agenda, being a Diasporan myself.

And the Diaspora must lead the effort to invest in these sectors.

For the past fifteen years, Africa’s stereotyped narrative has been evolving from a deprived, under-developed, and backward region, to a formidable progressive society, and an emerging market.

Seven of the world’s fastestgrowing economies are in Africa. Democratic governance has improved tremendously over the last two decades resulting in stability, economic growth, and prosperity in most parts of the continent. Africa’s values, social and traditional heritage, and appeal continue to spread globally, in the arts, entertainment, and popculture—a clear sign that this is Africa’s moment.

While we boast of having some of the fastest-growing economies, I will not hesitate to

state that we also have seven of the ten most unequal economies in the world, meaning that we still have work to do. I call upon the Diaspora community to join me and Africa’s leaders to help reverse this trend.

The African Union works to eradicate the conditions that provide fertile ground for corruption, such as poor governance structures, lack of systemic checks and balances, and transparency. The AU’s 2018 theme is aptly titled Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation, and our mission is committed to contributing to its success.

At Africa House (the AU Mission), our mandate is to promote Africa in the United States; communicate and coordinate Africa’s agenda in an effort to mobilize support

for Africa’s development; build vibrant constituencies through engagement; sustain and nurture the bilateral relationship between the United States and the African Union; educate and inform Americans about important African issues of mutual interest; and grow our working relationships with international organizations headquartered in the United States. We are happy to participate in Africa’s upward transformation through the implementation of the AU’s programs, and I ask you to partner with us in this effort.

Finally, I invite you to visit us at the mission to participate in events we frequently host, follow us on social media, or visit us at online at www.auwashingtondc. org. I thank you for your partnership in building a greater and more prosperous Africa!

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30TH AU SUMMIT Towards a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated Africa

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30th Ordinary Session of the ­Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Heads of states of more than 40 African nations and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the 30th AU summit, under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.” The leaders discussed political and security matters affecting African countries and reforming the 54-year-old continental body.

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HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN UNION (AU) From the Organization of African Unity to the African Union

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n May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the thirty-two African states that had achieved independence at that time agreed to establish the Organization of African Unity (OAU). An additional twenty-one members joined gradually, reaching a total of fifty-three by the time of the AU’s creation in 2002.

The OAU’s main objectives, as set out in the OAU Charter, were to promote the unity and solidarity of African states; coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa; safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states; rid the continent of colonization and apartheid; promote international cooperation within the United Nations framework; and harmonize members’ political, diplomatic, economic, educational, cultural, health, welfare, scientific, technical, and defense policies.

Transition to the African Union Through the 1990s, leaders debated the need to amend the OAU’s structures to reflect the challenges of a changing world. In 1999, the OAU heads of state and government issued the Sirte Declaration, which called for the establishment of a new African Union. The vision for the Union was to build on the OAU’s work by establishing a body that could accelerate the process of integration in Africa, support the empowerment of African states in the global economy, and address the multifaceted social, economic, and political problems facing the continent. In total, four summits were held in the lead-up to the official launching of the African Union: 1. Sirte Summit in Libya (1999), which adopted the Sirte Declaration calling

for the establishment of the AU 2. Lomé Summit in Togo (2000), which adopted the AU Constitutive Act 3. Lusaka Summit in Zambia (2001), which drew the road map for implementation of the AU 4. Durban Summit in South Africa (2002), which launched the AU and convened its first Assembly of Heads of State and Government A significant number of OAU structures were carried forward into the AU. Similarly, many of the OAU’s core commitments, decisions, and strategy frameworks continue to frame AU policies. However, while the footprint of the OAU is still strong, the AU Constitutive Act and protocols established a significant number of new structures, both at the level of major organs and through a range of new technical and subsidiary committees. Many of these have evolved since 2002, and some are still under development.

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African Union Flag he current flag of the African Union was adopted at its fourteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which took place in Addis Ababa on January 31, 2010. It was designed by Ethiopian-born graphic designer Yadesa Bojia.

During the eighth African Union Summit, which took place in Addis Ababa on January 29 and 30, 2007, the heads of state and government decided to launch a competition for the selection of a new flag for the Union.

They prescribed a green background for the flag symbolizing hope of Africa and stars to represent member states.

Pursuant to this decision, the Muammar Gaddafi– led African Union Commission (AUC) organized a competition for the selection of a new flag for the African Union. The AUC received a total of 106 entries proposed by citizens of nineteen African countries and two from the Diaspora. The proposals were then examined by a panel of experts put in place by the AUC and selected from the five African regions for short listing according to the main directions

he African Union is a continental union consisting of all fifty-five countries on the African continent, extending slightly into Asia via the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It was established on May 26, 2001, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and launched on July 9, 2002, in South Africa, with the aim of replacing the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa.

liberation movements in the erstwhile African territories under colonialism and apartheid, as envisaged by the OAU since 1963 and the Constitutive Act, to an organization spear-heading Africa’s development and integration.

Vision of the African Union The vision of the AU is that of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”

This vision of a new, forwardlooking, dynamic, and integrated Africa will be fully realized through relentless struggle on several fronts and as a long-term endeavor. The AU has shifted focus from supporting

Mission and Values of the African Union Commission The mission of the Commission is to become “an efficient and valueadding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities, and African citizens.”

Executive Council Commissioners Eight commissioners are elected by the AU executive council and appointed by the Assembly. The incumbent commissioners are as follows: Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui, Algeria (Reelected January 2017)

given by the heads of state and government.

The final flag that emerged contains a green background symbolizing the hope of Africa and fifty-three gold stars to represent the member states. The AU now has two new members: South Sudan became the fifty-fourth member state on July 27, 2011, and Morocco rejoined in January 2017, bringing the total to fifty-five.

Commissioner for Political Affairs H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate, Burkina Faso (Elected January 2017) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy H.E. Amani Abou-Zeid, Egypt (Elected January 2017) Commissioner for Social Affairs H.E. Amira El Fadil, Sudan (Elected January 2017) Commissioner for Trade and Industry H.E. Albert M. Muchanga, Zambia (Elected January 2017) Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture H.E. Sacko Josefa Leonel Correa, Angola (Elected January 2017) Commissioner for Human Resources, Science, and Technology H.E. Agbor Sarah Mbi Enow, Anyang, Cameroon (Elected July 2017) Commissioner for Economic Affairs H.E. Victor Harrison, Madagascar (Elected July 2017)

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Africa Day – May 25

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Africa Day marks the anniversary of the African Union’s establishment in 1963. Every year, African missions and Diaspora worldwide celebrate the occasion.

The 2018 celebration was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC under the theme “Creating One African Market.” The African Union Permanent Representative Her Excellency Dr. Arikana ChihomboriQuao delivered remarks on behalf of the African Union Commission Chairperson. Private and federal sector officials attended the event, including Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, US Department of State, who delivered remarks.

Each year, two co-chairs and a treasurer from the African Ambassador’s Group (AAG) are assigned to plan the event. The 2018 co-chairs were His Excellency Étoundi Essomba, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon and Mrs. Lydie Flore Magba, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Central African Republic.

Chevron, Noble Energy, Kosmos Energy, Ethiopian Airlines, Sahouri Insurance, FrontPoint Group and Aetna sponsored the event.

Photo Credit: Patricia McDougall

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African Union Permanent Observer to the United Nations H.E. Fatima Mohammed (front, extreme left), African Union Permanent Representative to the United States H.E. Arikana Chihombori-Quao (front, center), State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan (front, in kente top), with African Ambassadors Group - Africa Day 2018 I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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AGENDA 2063

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THE AFRICAN ASPIRATIONS FOR 2063 The seven African Aspirations were derived through a consultative process with the African Citizenry. The aspirations reflect Africans’ desire for shared prosperity and well-being; for unity and integration; for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth, boys and girls are realized; and for freedom from fear, disease, and want. These are: 1

A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.

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Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values, and ethics.

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An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.

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An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women, youth, and caring for children.

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An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

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An Africa as a strong, united, resilient, and influential global player and partner.

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A peaceful and secure Africa.

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AfCFTA - African Continental Free Trade Area Background The 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2012, adopted a decision to establish a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by an indicative date of 2017. The Summit also endorsed the Action Plan on Boosting Intra-Africa Trade (BIAT) which identifies seven clusters: trade policy, trade facilitation, productive capacity, trade related infrastructure, trade finance, trade information, and factor market integration.

The CFTA will bring together fifty-four African countries with a combined population of more than one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than US $3.4 trillion

Objectives of the CFTA  Create

a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union.  Expand intra African trade through better harmonization and coordination of trade liberalization and facilitation regimes and instruments across RECs and across Africa in general.  Resolve the challenges of multiple and overlapping memberships and expedite the regional and continental integration processes.  Enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploiting opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better reallocation of resources.

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H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi

Commissioner, Political Affairs, African Union Commission

Reflecting, Celebrating, and Advancing Women’s Rights in Africa he top-most country in the world with more women in decisionmaking structures is an African country: the Republic of Rwanda. In Rwanda, women are visible by their presence in the state sphere, civil society sphere, and the private sector sphere at various layers of society, from the national to the community/ village levels. We need much greater commitment and action to tackle the problem of low participation rate and poor representation of women in governance processes, in peace and

security initiatives, and in development programs and projects.

In Rwanda today, women constitute 64 percent of the legislature; 40 percent of the executive; 40 percent of the judiciary; 40 percent of provincial governors, and 38 percent of the district councilors. The Republic of Tanzania is one of the countries

In Rwanda, women constitute

64%

of the legislature

with more than 30 percent of women’s representation in parliament, and the country currently has a female vice president, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan. We encourage all other member states of the AU to emulate Rwanda and Tanzania in respect of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The Commission reevaluated the effectiveness of its previous policies and strategies with respect to gender equality and women’s empowerment on the continent. On this basis, A new gender equality and empowerment strategy has been developed, which ensures better alignment with Agenda 2063.

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“The seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women and children.�

Her Excellency Joyce Banda President of Malawi April 7, 2012 to May 31, 2014

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AU–EU SUMMIT 2017

President Donald Tusk (EU) and Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat (AU)

European Union (EU) and Africa in Numbers he EU and its member states are the number one contributor to promoting development, stability, and peace in Africa:  In 2016, €21 billion in development aid was provided to Africa by the EU and its member states, the largest aid donors on the continent.  In 2015, €32 billion were invested in Africa by EU companies, accounting for around one-third of the overall

foreign direct investment in Africa.  €3.35 billion (initial budget) were allocated to the European fund for sustainable development, which should trigger up to €44 billion of investments.  Seven civilian and military missions are deployed across Africa.  From 2014 to 2020, €1.4 billion are committed to educational programs in Africa.

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Results of the Meeting he fifth African Union–European Regarding the situation in Libya, Union (AU–EU) summit took EU and African leaders committed place from November to work together to end the 29–30, 2017, in Abidjan, inhumane treatment of Côte d’Ivoire. It brought migrants and refugees together EU and in this country. They African leaders to adopted a joint of African define the future statement calling direction for for international population is cooperation between cooperation to fight under 25 years the two continents. the perpetrator of old Together they such crimes, inside adopted a joint declaration and outside Libya, and to outlining common priorities bring them to justice. for the EU–Africa partnership in four strategic areas:  Economic opportunities for youth  Peace and security  Mobility and migration  Cooperation on governance

60%

Investing in Youth At the summit, African and EU leaders focused on investing in youth. This is a key priority for Africa and the EU, as 60 percent of the African population is under the age of twenty-five. President Donald Tusk stressed the common desire to invest in youth in his opening remark at the summit.

Mobility and Migration EU and African leaders agreed to support the mobility of students, staff, and academics across the African continent. They also agreed to enhance exchange programs between Africa and Europe, such as ERASMUS+.

Regarding migration, leaders discussed how to tackle migrant smuggling and how to address jointly the root causes of irregular migration.

African Union– European Union Summit Joint Statement on the Migrant Situation in Libya

Migration has a significant impact on both of our continents. So we have a joint responsibility to acknowledge it as an important part of our relationship, which requires that we act together.

This is especially true when it comes to the situation in Libya with the most cynical abuse of human beings. We repeat the call to impose UN sanctions on human smugglers and traffickers, and we must ensure that the people caught up in Libya and elsewhere can return safely to their homes.

Summit History Since the historic first Africa–EU Summit in Cairo in 2000, considerable change has taken place on both continents. Democratization and reform processes have been launched and are being deepened in both Africa and

As you know, the European Union is Africa’s biggest partner and closest neighbor.

Its biggest investor, its biggest trading partner, its biggest provider of development aid and humanitarian assistance as well as its biggest contributor in peace and security. And this summit demonstrated our determination to reinforce our partnership even more. ­—President Tusk (EU)

Europe, and efforts have continued on both continents to address conflict and crisis situations. At the same time, integration processes on both continents have accelerated.

On the one hand, the African Union (AU) is forging ahead with its transformational socioeconomic initiatives; on the other hand, the European Union (EU) has nearly doubled in size and is in the process of deepening the Union. The world has also changed: new international and global challenges have emerged, globalization has accelerated, and the world has become increasingly interdependent.

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5TH AU-EU SUMMIT: OPENING CEREMONY

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AU M is s ion

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AU MISSION The African Union Representational Mission to the United States is the first bilateral diplomatic mission of the African Union. Officially launched on July 11, 2007, in Washington, DC, its mandate is to undertake, develop, and maintain constructive and productive institutional relationships between the African Union and the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, the African Diplomatic Corps, Africans in the Diaspora, and the Bretton Woods Institutions.

The Mission was established by the decision CM/DEC. 367 (LXVII) taken during the 67th Ordinary Session in February 1998, authorizing the secretary general to open an office in Washington, DC. Africa House, the permanent home of the mission, was officially inaugurated on August 3, 2014, by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, then chairperson of the African Union Commission.

KEY PROJECTS * Radio and TV Station * Grand Africa Tour * Diaspora Mobilization * Improving AGOA Utilization * AU African Diaspora Centers of Excellence

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CHAIRMAN MOUSSA FAKI VISITS WASHINGTON

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n November 15, 2017, as part of his official visit to Washington, DC, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC, met with Rep. Karen Bass and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) before addressing the representatives of the African Diaspora and African American community.

The discussions during both meetings focused on the need to strengthen partnership between Africa and America, particularly narrowing the gap and bringing African Americans/

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Diaspora closer to Africa to better contribute to the development of the continent in their capacity as Africa’s sixth region. (The AU considers the Diaspora to be the sixth region of the continent, in addition to the current five regions of southern, eastern, western, central, and northern Africa.)

The session took place in the conference room of the AU Mission to the United States, also referred to as “Africa House,” and was facilitated

by Mr. Melvin P. Foote, president of the Constituency for Africa (CFA). The

lively interactive exchange of views between the representatives of the Diaspora, the AUC chairperson, and some AU commissioners took place in the presence of Mr. Al Ba, president and CEO of One Africa Group Diaspora Leaders, Detroit, Michigan; Ambassador Arikana Chihombori Quao, Permanent Representative of the AU Mission to the United States; Mr. Mamadou Samba, director of the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs (MOAA); Mr. Kenny Oreagba, chairman of the Maryland Governor’s

Africa House

Commission on African Affairs; and several other high-profile U.S.-based African leaders.

In his welcoming remarks, the president of the CFA expressed his gratitude to the AUC chairperson for accepting to meet Diaspora leaders and pointed out that the Diaspora in the United States and worldwide has much to offer to Africa. “In the United States alone there are over 50 million who are Diaspora including AfricanAmericans, whose ancestors were brought to these shores 400 years ago as slaves, to provide the free-labor that enabled this country to develop into the power that it is today as well as the remarkable presence of AfroLatinos and those from the Caribbean.”

Mr. Foote also said, “According to the World Bank, the African immigrant community remit more than $35 billion dollars to the continent each year, a larger amount than all of the Foreign Direct Investment that the continent receives.”

The discussion between the Diaspora and Chairperson Faki touched on various areas of cooperation and partnership, including direct and indirect investment in Africa to boost economic grown through trade and business development; agriculture; education; infrastructure development; information, communication, and technology; and innovation, among others.

For his part, the AUC chairperson called on the Diaspora to better organize itself and engage the AUC in a more efficient manner to ensure “the Africa We Want” and improve the lives of the African population in the continent and the Diaspora.

Chairperson Faki was confident that this key partnership would be reinforced through the AU Mission to the United States and close the gap between the continent and its Diaspora.

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AU MISSION LAUNCHES RADIO AND TV STATION he African Union mission in the United States launched a radio and television station in conjunction with the African Ambassadors Group (AAG) in Washington, DC, to help promote investment among member states in Africa and address issues affecting the Diaspora in the United States.

AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Ambassador

Dr. Kwesi Quartey praised the AU mission in Washington, DC, for providing leadership in establishing the station.

He urged the AAG to “put Africa first” by attracting more investment in sectors such as education, health, and skills training in technology. He also called for the promotion of peace and security, and urged member states to adhere to issues of governance and

accountability to the rule of law.

AU Permanent Representative Ambassador Dr. Arikana Chihombori urged the AAG to utilize the radio station as a platform to connect with the Diaspora.

Dr. Chihombori also called on press attachés in embassies of the AAG to develop a sense of ownership of the new station and maximize the opportunity.

“I want this radio broadcasting facility inside our mission to be a vehicle for engaging the Diaspora worldwide.”— H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao.

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Zambia’s chargé d’affaires Joseph Chilaizya said the time has come for Africa to tell its own story because the U.S. media rarely covers positive issues on Africa.

“It’s good that Africans will own their narrative when they speak about Africa.”

He gave credit to the AU for funding the project.

“Diasporans should use this forum to raise issues pertaining to immigration, jobs and education within the current administration,” Mr. Chilaizya said.

Constituency for Africa (CFA) President Melvin Foote shown with Dr. Jemadari Kamara of the University of Massachusetts, debating “PanAfricanism in the 21st Century” in the African Union Mission studio which officially launches May 25, 2017.

Diaspora Registration: www.auwashingtondc.org

AU Mission Supports PROLAW Scholars

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oyola University Chicago School of Law’s Program in Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) works to support sustained progress toward rule of law in countries that are in development, economic transition, or recovery from violent conflict. Its vision is a world in which all countries are governed under the rule of law that facilitates their pursuit of justice and sustainable development.

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AU M is s ion

President Johnson ­Sirleaf of Liberia and former President ­Banda of Malawi

Meeting with Diaspora Women

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accredited to the United States, President Sirleaf said African women have made great strides in political participation at virtually all levels of government.

The Liberian leader, however, cautioned that while major strides had been made, there was still more work to be done regarding the empowerment of African women. “We don’t yet have the equality we seek as women,” she added.

Also speaking at the event, former Malawian president Joyce Banda said Africa will fully develop when women are empowered to play their roles in every sphere of life, including political.

Lauding President Sirleaf for being a strong supporter and mentor when she took over the presidency of Malawi, President Banda said

women must be each other’s keepers because it is through unity of purpose that African women will be able to overcome hurdles they face.

In welcome remarks earlier, AU permanent representative Dr. Chihombori-Quao said the occasion was intended to celebrate women who have dared to succeed by overcoming whatever challenges they have faced.

Also making brief remarks, Liberia’s ambassador to the United States, Lois Brutus, said, “Let us in collective rejoice over the accomplishments of women who have broken through the glass ceiling.”

The event was also characterized by a question-and-answer period, during which the audience posed questions to President Sirleaf and former president Banda.

Story courtesy of www.frontpageafricaonline.com

resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says that the burst of women leadership in Africa cannot be stopped, and she called upon women to work toward the fulfillment of whatever goals they set for themselves.

President Sirleaf was speaking Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at a program in “Celebration of African Women Leaders,” honoring her and former Malawian president Joyce Banda.

The well-attended event, held at the AU Mission in Washington, DC, was hosted by Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, permanent representative of the AU to the United States.

Amid spontaneous applause and standing ovations from the predominantly female audience, including African women ambassadors

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Honorable Darryl Johnson, former mayor, Mound Bayou, Mississippi; Honorable Ed Jones, WCM president, mayor, Grambling, Louisiana; Honorable Johnny Ford, WCM founder, former mayor, Tuskegee, Alabama; Honorable Mike Duggan, mayor, Detroit, Michigan; Honorable Jack Sims, mayor, District Heights, Maryland; Honorable Jimmie Gardner, mayor, Prichard, Alabama; Honorable Samuel Ings, city commissioner, Orlando, Florida; Honorable Douglas George, Consul General of Canada; Honorable Fletcher Fountain, mayor of Fort Deposit, Alabama; Her Excellency Arikana Chihombori Quao, MD, ambassador of the African Union to the United States; Honorable Willie Calhoun, former commissioner, District Heights, Maryland.

AU Partners with World Conference of Mayors The World Conference of Mayors (WCM) and the African Union mission in Washington, DC, have agreed to collaborate to promote cooperation between Africa and African Diaspora worldwide. This agreement was entered into during WCM’s 33rd Annual Conference held in Detroit, Michigan, from October 23 to 27, 2017, under the theme “Sustaining Economic Growth and Development in 21st Century Cities.”

Detroit mayor Mike Duggan hosted the conference, in conjunction with Reverend Jim Holley, pastor of the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and chair of the WCM Detroit. Over two hundred participants, including mayors, city council persons, county officials, other elected and appointed officials, and businesspersons from across the United States, as well as presenters who are leaders in the fields of medicine, law, technology,

trade, tourism, and politics attended the conference.

The World Conference of Mayors was founded in 1984 by the Honorable Johnny Ford, then mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama. Honorable Ford presided over the conference, together with the Honorable Ed Jones, mayor of Grambling, Louisiana, who currently serves as WCM president. The WCM is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, global organization of mayors from throughout the world. The primary objective of WCM is to stimulate positive and constructive relations between mayors internationally, based on interlocking interests and concerns. Through a network of international municipal associations, mayors, and units of local governments, the WCM plans, designs, and manages an international, intergovernmental communications system, through its promotion of seven fundamental goals:

trust, trade, tourism, technology, treasury, training, and twin city programs and services between mayors and cities of the world.

The World Conference of Mayors accepted African Union Ambassador Quao’s offer to partner and work together to ‘build bridges’ between Africa and the peoples of the African Diaspora who live, work, and make great, the cities of the world. ­—Honorable Johnny Ford, WCM Founder, Former Mayor, Tuskegee, Alabama

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GRAND AFRICA TOUR:

CAPE TO

Contact us for more information.

Email: au-Washington@africa-union.org

The “Grand Africa Tour” makes Africa the preferred destination for tourism. Tourism has the potential to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and create jobs. This sector also has the capacity to contribute significantly to the agenda for social inclusion, as cultural endowments and natural assets can be leveraged to create opportunities for local communities.

One of the focuses of the African Union’s transformative Agenda 2063 is the promotion of tourism as an instrument for economic growth. This will consequently create jobs, particularly for the youth; connect the different sub regions; and showcase Africa’s natural wonders, exotic wildlife and plants, ancient cultures, historic relics, and rich cuisine.

202.342.1100

The A fric a n U n i o n

The Call to Invest in Africa There are about 50 million African Diaspora in North America, 100 million in the Caribbean, and an estimated additional 200 million in Central and South America, totaling roughly 350 million children of “one Mother Africa.”

The African Diaspora formally and informally contribute over $100 billion to the continent annually. If 10 million Africans in the Diaspora contribute $10 a month towards Africa’s development projects, that will constitute $1.2 billion in funds that can be sourced to build five Diaspora Villages (Centers of Excellence), one in each Region of the Continent. These Diaspora Villages will be growth points which will spark development throughout each region. Africa is a continent rich with every imaginable natural resource such that the world has ever known. A critical component that is missing is the infusion of Africa’s children endowed with all the expertise necessary to move Africa to its rightful place on the global stage.

This is the time for Africa’s children to take ownership and responsibility for the Continent’s prosperous future.

—H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao AU Permanent Representative to the United States

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AU DIASPORA VILLAGE PROJECT

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ccording to the World Bank, remittances to subSaharan Africa by African immigrants were estimated at more than $35 billion in 2015. Also, African immigrant populations to the United States reportedly have the highest education attainment level in the United States per the U.S. Bureau of Census. About 48.9 percent of all African immigrants hold a college degree. Together, the African Diaspora, in partnership with Africans residing on the continent, constitute a significant economic and human capital that can support the development and transformation of Africa.

If organized, the African Diaspora can be an important engine for positive transformation of Africa. The African Union (AU) recognizes that true sustainable change in Africa must include significant participation of its Diaspora. The AU has long recognized the importance and active role the African Diaspora can play to address major issues around growth of the continent and is moving even more swiftly to strengthen and solidify this relationship.

A key mandate of the African Union Mission to the United States is the establishment of five Healthcare Centers of Excellence in the five Regions of Africa under the auspices of the AU’s African Diaspora Health Initiative (AUADHI). It is with this conviction that the African Union Mission to the United States is developing, in cooperation with its Diaspora, five African Diaspora villages in the five African regions. The directive will include the engagement of the African Diaspora on multiple levels and across a variety of professional

backgrounds to harness their expertise in key areas pertinent to the development and sustainability of the Healthcare Centers of Excellence.

Rationale The project will be aligned with

efforts made by the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and member states to domesticate the AU’s Agenda 2063, and to implement the thirteen flagship projects of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014–2023. This includes the following: 1. Continental Financial and Monetary Institutions 2. Silencing the Guns by 2020 3. African Commodity Strategy 4. Annual African Economic Dialogue Platform/African Economic Platform 5. Great Inga Dam 6. Pan African Integrated HighSpeed Train Network 7. Single African Aviation Market 8. African Outer Space Strategy 9. Pan African E-Network on TeleEducation and Telemedicine (PAeN) 10. Establishment of the Virtual University 11. Free Movement of Persons and the African Passport 12. Continental Free Trade Area 13. Great Museum of Africa

Scope of the Project The project aims to address the following key issues: lack of capacity, brain drain, fake/expired drugs, overseas/foreign medical treatment, food insecurity, lack of infrastructure (including housing and energy), and lack of job opportunities.

Each Diaspora Village will include the following:  A tertiary care center of a firstclass, 1,000-bed hospital, a cardiac care center, and an ambulance service with a helicopter and training to address capacity building; this will provide first-class healthcare services for Africans so they can be treated on the continent;  Three five-star hotels to promote health tourism in Africa  A pharmaceutical plant to address the issue of fake and expired drugs  Business services such as banks, information communication technology (ICT), housing units for staff, real-estate projects, and other infrastructure designed to support the village  A large farm to respond to food security  A renewable energy power plant, using solar plants that will generate 500 megawatts in support of all other sectors in the village The African Diaspora should and must stand up and be counted.

“A $10 per month campaign” will be launched to mobilize funds among the African Diaspora for the establishment of the first Diaspora Village. This will represent a pivotal point in the contribution of the African Diaspora toward Africa’s prosperous future.

The Government of Zambia has given to the Diaspora 132 acres of land in Livingston, on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. The Africa Union Mission’s Office in the United States is working with the Diaspora to campaign for a $2 billion for this first Diaspora Village.

From African Union Representational Mission to the USA, Mandate and Core Functions; African Union Agenda 2063; First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014–2023 of the African Union Agenda 2063.

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DIASPORA CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE “WAKANDA ONE”

Communities powered by Renewable Energy

Healthcare Center and Pharmaceutical M ­ anufacturing Plant

Luxurious Five-star Hotels, Game Lodges & Chalets

Culture and Entertainment Center

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Africa’s Stock Exchanges Lead World Exchanges

By Tom Minney

African Capital Markets News

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espite a great year on the main US markets in 2017, many African stock exchanges offered USD investors a higher return.

Biggest gain in USD was the Malawi Stock Exchange index, which climbed by 56.0%. It was among 6 African exchanges that outperformed the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which scored a strong 28.2% gain in 2017. Other leading African stock exchange indices

included Ghana, up 43.8%, Uganda up 30.7%, Mauritius 29.9% and South Africa JSE All Share up 29.7%. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Industrial Index climbed 124.2%. However, most analysts rebase the market using the Old Mutual Implied Rate (OMIR), comparing the price of Old Mutual shares listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange with the same shares on the London Stock Exchange to act as

an inflation adjustor, since local dollar values do not reflect international dollar values. On the OMIR basis, the ZSE still gained a creditable 28.5%. Other leading African markets such as Nigeria (Main Board index up 25.4%, but still to gain its previous highs of April 2014 and 2008) and Egypt’s EGX 30 (up 24.1%) also delighted investors.

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About Africa’s Stock Exchanges There are 29 exchanges in Africa, representing 38 nations’ capital markets. Africa has two regional stock exchanges: the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, or BRVM, located in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières d’Afrique Centrale, or BVMAC, located in Libreville, Gabon.

The BRVM serves the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo; the BVMAC serves the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. 21 of the 29 stock exchanges in Africa are members of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA).

One of the oldest bourses (exchanges) on the continent is the Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) of Morocco, founded in 1929.

The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) was

2017 Top Stock Exchange Performers, Sources: Bloomberg and Securities Africa Limited

founded in 1883 and the JSE Limited (Johannesburg, South Africa) in 1887.

The Casablanca Stock Exchange is one of Africa’s ten largest exchanges along with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

(EGX), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE).

Invest in Africa’s Skies

“Another Agenda 2063 flagship project is the Single African Air Transport Market.

This initiative is a follow-up to the Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1999 and will be launched in January 2018, on the margins of the African Union Summit. Twenty-threemember states have pledged their solemn commitment to the Single Air Market, the implementation of which will increase the number of routes, reduce the cost of air travel, and contribute to the expansion of intra-African trade and tourism. I call on all member states that have not yet done so to join this important initiative.”

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SIX REASONS TO INVEST IN AFRICA urban professionals are young, brandaware, and sophisticated in terms of their consumption. The largest economic forces in Africa are small to medium enterprises, working to meet this new demand and competing with global brands.

stages. Africa is seeing a returning Diaspora that recognizes the potential and opportunities in their own countries. This population supports local economic growth with their skills and talent, by acting as “first movers,” investing back in their communities.

2. African trade barriers are falling and intra-African trade holds enormous potential With a new Continental Free Trade Area—Africa’s own mega-trade deal—even the smallest African economies could see a lift. If duties are lowered and incentives introduced, manufacturers could see benefit from setting up production and assembly operations in multiple African countries.

4. Digital transformation Africa leads the world in mobile adoption, which continues to offer the biggest cross-sectoral economic opportunities.

Mobile payment networks, pioneered in East Africa, opened the wired, global economy to poor, unbanked city and rural dwellers. Companies such as Novartis are using mobile communications to manage their supply chain; Olam has used mobile to reach out to new African suppliers and farmers.

3. Customers are changing With the growth of Africa’s middle class, we’re seeing development of new expectations. Educated,

5. Africa is diversifying African economies are finally beginning to diversify beyond commodities, though this is still in the early

6. Africa can lead in ­sustainable development In energy, technology, supply chain design, and other areas, Africa has the ability to look at what works elsewhere, then fashion its own answers. It can openly embrace new technology and ideas, with no historical imprint from which to break free. It can develop flexible fuel grids that generate power with a mix of abundant wind, solar, hydro, and bio energy, alongside conventional fuels such as oil and gas, which are also abundant.

1. Africa needs “connectors” Missing across much of subSaharan Africa are the roads, rails, ports, airports, power grids, and IT backbone needed to lift African economies.

This lack of infrastructure hinders the growth of imports, exports, and regional business.

Companies that can connect Africans and markets can prosper.

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Courtesy: World Economic Forum Africa Series

INVESTMENT

SUCCESS

STORY Rwanda’s eye-grabbing solar power facility has roots in a shared experience with Israel

What does the Holocaust have to do with a gleaming $27 million, 8.5-megawatt solar energy facility in the heart of east Africa? More than you might think.

The burgeoning ties between Israel and Rwanda—fueled in part by what the two nations perceive as their shared experience as genocide victims—helped spur Israeli green energy pioneers to build the field of 28,360 solar panels on a verdant rolling hillside outside Kigali.

The sprawling project went from contract signing to completion in a lightning-quick 12 months and is already providing 6% of Rwanda’s power. Yosef Abramowitz, the CEO of Gigawatt Global, called that evidence of Rwanda’s place as a business and tech-friendly role model for the continent.

Rwanda’s Gigawatt project just outside capital city Kigali.

(Courtesy: Gigawatt / Quartz Africa)

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AFRICA’S SIX FASTEST-GROWING ECONOMIES IN 2018 The World Bank forecasts growth of 3.2 percent for 2018, up from 2.4 percent in 2017 for sub-Saharan African economies. It also predicts slightly higher growth for 2019 of 3.5 percent.

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018 promises to be a good year for sub-Saharan African economies. The world’s six fastest-growing economies are on the continent. The World Bank forecasts growth of 3.2 percent for the year, up from 2.4 percent in 2017. It also predicts a slightly higher growth rate of 3.5 percent for 2019. According to the Economist Corporate Network, in the last 20 years, the center of the global economy has been shifting from the developed to the developing world.

Today, growth rates in developing economies are many times higher than in developed economies. Ultimately, as The Brookings Institution points out in its Foresight Africa 2018 report, half of sub-Saharan Africa’s economies will grow at a rate similar to or higher than during the years of the “Africa rising” narrative, which was in the run-up to the commodity price crash of 2014.

The following countries are not the most developed ones, but their economic progress is certainly praiseworthy.

6. Tanzania Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009–2017 averaging 6 percent to 7 percent per year. This year, growth is expected to hover around 6.8 percent.

Despite looming poverty in the country, the new President, John Magufuli, is a

GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 7% | 2016: 7% | 2017: 6.5% | 2018: 6.8%

promising change. He is already in the process of minimizing the country’s overspending by cutting the cost of unnecessary government spending, although this has come with concerns that the country’s democracy is being eroded gradually due to Magufuli’s autocratic practices.

5. Senegal Senegal wrapped up 2017 with the inauguration of its new airport that authorities hope will serve 3 million passengers, a hallmark of the country’s consistent positive growth records in the past few years. In its third quarter of 2017, the Senegalese economy grew at rate of 7.1 percent, its strongest since the last quarter of 2015, when it was at an all-time

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high. Growth for 2018 is forecast at 6.9 percent. President Macky Sall has the goodwill to forge ahead, not only in his country but as a leader in francophone West Africa.

Senegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas.

The country’s key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products, and commercial fishing, and it is also working on oil exploration projects.

GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 6.8% | 2016: 6.7% | 2017: 6.8% | 2018: 6.9%

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4. Djibouti GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 6.5% | 2016: 6.5% | 2017: 7% | 2018: 7%

A small port country, Djibouti’s economy hinges on services that take advantage of its strategic location at the Red Sea’s southern entrance, as well as foreign investments and financing. The GDP of Djibouti increased in 2016 by 6.5 percent as a result of construction, transport services, and port development. The forecast for this year puts growth at exactly 7 percent. The establishment of a free zone within the country, as well as the profits from a railway leading to Ethiopia, are also drivers of growth.

Story Credit: Kajuju Murori & Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza, The African Exponent

3. Cote d’Ivoire GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 8.9% | 2016: 7.7% | 2017: 7.6% | 2018: 7.2%

In 2017, Côte d’Ivoire continued to be one of the most buoyant economies in Africa, with a growth rate expected to hold steady at around 7.6 percent. This time around, growth is forecasted at 7.2 percent, a clear signal of a consistently strong economic performance. This positive performance is due to the recent economic recovery and shows Côte d’Ivoire’s resilience to domestic and foreign shocks. The short- and medium-term outlook remains encouraging. With the help of the IMF, the country has been able to collect more taxes and control government spending, thereby lowering the budget deficit.

2. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 10.4% | 2016: 8% | 2017: 8.5% | 2018: 8.2%

Ethiopia’s hold on being Africa’s fastest-growing economy for years has been eclipsed by Ghana.

However, the country’s economy continues to grow. According to the Gates Foundation’s report, “One foot on the ground, one foot in the air,” compiled by the Overseas Development Institute, the agriculture sector has enhanced the growth and development of Ethiopia. The real GDP growth rate for the country stands at 8.2 percent according to the World Bank. Despite political turmoil that the country has been through recently, the IMF expects the good times to last for a while. On average, Ethiopia’s economy is growing at 10 percent a year and it is expected to double within the next seven years. This means that by 2025, it will have grown to middle-income nation status.

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1. Ghana GDP Growth Rates: 2015: 3.8% | 2016: 3.5% | 2017: 5.9% | 2018: 8.3%

Ghana is a tale of remarkable fortunes. In the 1980s, the country was simply impoverished. A series of military coups made life harsh for the Ghanaian people. However, from 1992 on, the country has managed to hold peaceful elections, and their economy has made a strong rebound.

The discovery of major offshore oil

deposits helped the recuperation of the economy. This year, Ghana is the world’s fastest-growing economy according to World Bank, Brookings Institution, International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank.

Oil prices have risen, and the country’s oil production has rapidly

expanded. GDP growth at market price stands at 8.3 percent and is projected to reach 8.9 percent. In January, Ghana’s benchmark stock index achieved the world’s highest rate of growth, 19 percent. Cocoa production is also complementing the oil boom in creating such a fast-rising economy.

The African Union Commission Celebrates its 10th Anniversary of the Private Sector Forum in Egypt with a Focus on Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Cairo, Egypt 9-11 May 2018 The Three Day African Union Private Sector Forum opened in Cairo on Wednesday 9 May 2018. The Forum was organized in collaboration with the Egyptian Business Women Association.

Considering the critical role that the private sector is expected to play in the Africa’s Transformation and implementation of Agenda 2063, in particular its contribution to poverty reduction through investment and employment creation, the AU Commission organizes an annual Forum

engaging with private sector players on the continent.

This year’s activity on the Theme “Made in Africa towards realizing Africa’s Structural Transformation for the achievement of Agenda 2063” was a particularly important one as it highlighted the promotion of “Made in Africa” products and activities of Women and Youth Entrepreneurs on the continent. The main objective of the forum was to discuss and recommend specific policy interventions that would promote Products Made in Africa

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and encourage women and youth to adopt entrepreneurship culture as an important driver of inclusive growth through creation and expansion of job opportunities for women and youth, corporate sustainability and innovative solutions.

In her opening remarks, the Minister of Planning of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Ms. Hala Al-Saeed thanked all delegates in attendance and called on her fellow African counterparts to Invest more into African Resources, Human

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Capacities and particularly Women and Youth projects.

On his part, H.E. Prof. Victor Harison, AUC Commissioner for Economic Affairs, thanked the Government and People of the Arab Republic of Egypt for their warm welcome. He noted that “The Forum presents an opportunity to the private sector actors and policy makers to promote Made in Africa and forge sustainable partnerships with a view to enhancing trade and Investment so as to realize sustainable and inclusive growth of our Continent”. He also emphasized on the importance of Public private partnership (PPP) as being key in supporting Africa’s current efforts towards economic integration, industrial development with a view to harnessing the AfCFTA potential through promotion of Made in Africa products.

A highlight of the Forum was the Made in Africa Award Ceremony.

This Award Ceremony recognized Business Women and Men for their contribution in the African Business World and also their Contribution to Humanitarian Efforts. The 2018 Made in Africa Award was presented to Mr. Mohamed Abou El Enein, Chairman of Cleopatra Group, a leader in the

production and distribution of ceramics around the world. His other business ventures include luxury hotel chains.

Through his Cleopatra Group, Mr. El Enein has demonstrated numerous years of leadership in Business and Entrepreneurship in Egypt, Africa and around the world even entering very difficult markets such as Japan. In his acceptance speech, he voiced the need for African leaders to fast-track the creation of the AfCFTA for boosting intra-African Trade.

The Forum proceeded with multiple panel discussions and presentations on the development of the African Private Sector through Industrialisation, Finance and Export; acceleration of Africa’s Industrialisation through the promotion of Made in Africa products; Public-Private sector Partnerships and its role in integrating SMEs in global value chain; and Investing in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for skills revolution and empowering Youth. These topics amongst others were presented to representatives of Chambers of Commerce, Entrepreneurs and resulted in the formulation of Key Recommendations that will be presented to the African Union Policy makers in Addis Ababa. The 3 Day

Event concluded with Pitching Sessions of African Start-ups.

In conclusion, it was recommended that African Entrepreneurs should, amongst other things, develop Joint ventures among African economic operators and the rest of the world; register activities in the dynamics of good governance; have a sense of innovation in Products; and Invest in Research and Development in order to upscale its innovation capacity and be competitive in the world market. African Governments , on the other hand, are called to develop Infrastructure in order to allow better intra-trade between African countries; consolidate financial institutions and promote capital markets; make regional and continental integration a priority and opportunity to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI); revisit school and university curriculum to include modules that help develop the culture of entrepreneurship and leadership; and finally, promote the virtues of good governance and fight corruption to make the Continent attractive for foreign Investments.

Courtesy of the Department of Economic Affairs African Union Commission

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WORLD BANK AFRICA REPORT Africa’s Pulse: An Analysis of Issues Shaping Africa’s Economic Future Executive Summary Following a sharp slowdown over the past two years, a recovery is under way in sub-Saharan Africa. GDP growth in the region is expected to strengthen to 2.4 percent in 2017 from 1.3 percent in 2016, slightly below the pace previously projected. The rebound is being led by the region’s largest economies. In the second quarter of 2017, Nigeria exited a fivequarter recession and South Africa emerged from two successive quarters of negative growth.

Economic activity has also picked up in Angola. Elsewhere, an increase in mining output along with a pickup in the agriculture sector is boosting economic activity in metals exporters. GDP growth is stable in non-resource-intensive countries, supported by domestic demand. But the recovery is weak in several important dimensions.

Regional per capita output growth is forecast to be negative for the second consecutive year, while investment growth remains low, and productivity growth is falling.

External conditions are more favorable, with a stronger trend in global growth, robust growth in global goods trade, rising energy and metals prices, and supportive global financing conditions. Higher commodity prices are helping to narrow current account deficits in the region, especially of oil exporters. International bond and equity inflows in the region are rising, helping to finance the current account deficits and cushion foreign reserves. Sovereign bond issuance has rebounded in 2017, with Nigeria,

Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire selling bonds on international capital markets, indicating improving global sentiment toward emerging and frontier markets.

Headline inflation slowed across the region amid stable exchange rates and lower food price inflation due to higher food production.

Reduced inflationary pressures have prompted some central banks to ease monetary policy. Lower inflation and a more accommodative monetary policy is providing an impetus to domestic demand. Fiscal deficits are projected to narrow slightly in the region in 2017 but will continue to be high, as fiscal adjustment measures remain partial at best. Across the region, additional efforts are needed to address revenue shortfalls and contain spending. Government debt remains elevated, reflecting the limited progress made in reducing the fiscal deficit.

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Fiscal space has narrowed significantly for most countries in the region in recent years amid rising debt burdens. The (median) increase in general government debt to GDP in 2015–2016 compared with 2010–2013 was about 15 percent.

Over the same period, fiscal conditions tightened for thirty-six (of forty-four) countries in the region.

In these countries, the (median) number of tax years needed to repay the debt fully has increased by 1.1 years; in the Central African Republic, The Gambia, Mozambique, and the Republic of Congo, the increase in this indicator exceeded 2.5 years.

Analysis of fiscal sustainability gaps shows that the pattern of debt sustainability in subSaharan Africa is comparable to that of other commodityexporting regions. Fiscal balances in the region fluctuate with the commodity price cycle. Prior to the global financial crisis, the region recorded primary surpluses, thanks to rising commodity prices.

Although debt levels remain below those in the late 1990s—when several international debt relief initiatives were implemented— they have been rising more rapidly than in other regions since 2009.

The primary sustainability gap, on average, has been negative in the postcrisis period, reflecting the current debt sustainability challenges facing the region.

Looking ahead, sub-Saharan Africa is projected to see a moderate pickup in activity, with growth rising to 3.2 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent in 2019. These forecasts are unchanged from April

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SubSaharan Africa projected to see growth rising to 3.2% in 2018 and 3.5% in

2019

and assume that commodity prices will firm and domestic demand will gradually gain ground, helped by slowing inflation and easing monetary policy. The uptick in the region’s growth forecast reflects gradually improving conditions in the large economies as they implement measures to address economic imbalances. The ongoing recovery in metals exporters is likely to continue with steadily rising metals prices expected to spur further investment in the mining sector. By contrast, growth prospects will remain weak in central African economic and monetary community countries, as most of them continue to struggle to adjust to low oil prices.

The economic expansion in West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries is expected to proceed at a solid pace on the back of robust public investment, led by Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Elsewhere, growth is projected to recover in Kenya, as inflation eases, and firm in Tanzania on a rebound in investment growth.

Ethiopia is likely to remain the fastest-growing economy in the region, although public investment is expected to slow down.

The outlook for the region remains challenging, however, with economic growth remaining well below the precrisis average and

The uptick in subSaharan Africa’s growth forecast reflects gradually improving conditions in the large economies as they implement measures to address economic imbalances

below the average growth recorded in 2010–2014.The moderate pace of growth will translate into only slow gains in per capita income and will be far from sufficient to promote broad-based prosperity and accelerate poverty reduction.

Moreover, although risks to the outlook appear to be broadly balanced in the near term, they remain skewed to the downside in the medium term. On the upside, stronger-than-expected activity in some large economies could further strengthen the anticipated pickup in exports, mining and infrastructure investment, and growth in the region. On the downside, the main risks include, externally, lower commodity prices and a faster-than-expected normalization of monetary policy in the United States and, domestically, delays in implementing appropriate policies to improve macroeconomic stability, heightened policy and political uncertainty, rising security tensions, and inadequate rainfall.

The challenge for the region remains to achieve high and inclusive growth. In the near term, measures are needed to strengthen the ongoing recovery. Fiscal space remains tight in most countries and should be enlarged through

appropriate fiscal policies that support growth. In the medium term, structural measures will be needed to boost productivity and investment and promote economic diversification. Analysis of the region’s growth dynamics shows that in economically less resilient countries, rising capital accumulation has been accompanied by falling efficiency of investment spending but not in resilient ones. This suggests that the inefficiency of investment—which reflects insufficient skills and other capabilities for the adoption of new technologies, distortive policies, and resource misallocation, among other things—will need to be reduced if countries are to capture fully the benefits of higher investment.

As African countries seek new drivers of sustained, inclusive growth, attention to skills building is growing. The region’s growing working-age population represents a major opportunity to reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity.

But the region’s workforce is the least skilled in the world, constraining economic prospects.

Building the skills—cognitive, socioemotional, and technical—of today’s workers and future generations will be vital for realizing the development potential of the region.

Countries in sub-Saharan Africa have invested heavily in skills building, and public expenditure on education absorbs about 15 percent of total public spending and nearly 5 percent of GDP, the largest spending ratios among developing regions.

Although more children are in school today than ever before, almost one in every three children fails to complete primary school. In most countries, far less than 50 percent of all children complete lower secondary education (the equivalent of middle school in some countries), and under 10 percent make it to higher education.

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In most countries, skillsbuilding efforts must strive to make spending smarter to ensure greater efficiency and better outcomes.

But smart investing in skills is more difficult than it looks. SubSaharan African countries face two hard choices in balancing their skills portfolios: (1) striking the right balance between overall productivity growth and inclusion and (2) investing in the skills of today’s workforce and tomorrow’s workforce.

Investing in the foundational skills of children, youth, and adults is the most effective strategy to enhance productivity growth, inclusion, and adaptability simultaneously. Thus, all countries should prioritize building universal foundational skills for the workers of today and tomorrow. This is more pressing in countries with low basic educational attainment and poor learning outcomes among children and youth.

In skills training, countries must be selective and ruthlessly demanddriven. For productivity growth, support should target demanddriven technical and vocational education and training, higher education, entrepreneurship, and business training programs tied to catalytic sectors. Such support should incentivize more on-the-job training, especially in smaller firms.

Special attention should be paid to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, focusing on the transfer and adoption of technology in economies with an enabling policy environment for these skills investments to pay off.

Economic inclusion requires investing in labor market training programs focused on disadvantaged youth and improving the skills of workers in lowproductivity activities.

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is recovering moderately, following a sharp slowdown over the course of the last two years.

Economic growth for sub-Saharan Africa looks set to pick up to a modest 2.4% for 2017, just slightly lower than the forecast of 2.6% earlier this year, but a big improvement on 1.3% in 2016.

Estimated to have strengthened from 1.3 percent in 2016 to 2.4 percent in 2017, GDP growth in the region is mainly led by the continent’s largest economies: Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola.

Nigeria and South Africa have exited recession; however, their pace of recovery remains sluggish.

Elsewhere, an uptick in mining output—along with a recovery in the agricultural sector—boosted economic activity for metal exporters. And GDP growth was stable in non-resource-intensive countries, supported by domestic demand.

Improving global conditions, including high commodity prices, curtailed current account deficits.

Capital inflows rose in 2017, helping to finance current account deficits and cushion foreign reserves. Sovereign bond issuance rebounded in 2017, with Nigeria, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire selling bonds on the international capital markets, indicating improving global sentiment toward emerging and frontier markets like them.

Headline inflation slowed across the region in 2017 amid stable exchange rates and slowing food price inflation due to higher food production. Fiscal deficits slightly

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narrowed but continued to be high, as fiscal adjustment measures remained partial at best.

Across the region, additional efforts are needed to address revenue shortfalls and spending.

Looking ahead, sub-Saharan Africa is projected to see a steady pickup in activity, with growth rising to 3.2 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent in 2019 as commodity prices stabilize and domestic demand gradually gains ground, helped by slowing inflation and monetary policy easing.

That said, growth prospects will remain weak in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries— Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Equatorial Guinea— as they struggle to adjust to low oil prices amid depressed revenues and rising debt levels.

The economic expansion in WAEMU countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo— is expected to proceed at a strong pace on the back of robust public investment, although growth is projected to soften in Côte d’Ivoire due to low cocoa prices.

Among East African Community (EAC) countries, Ethiopia is likely to remain the fastest growing economy, supported by continuing infrastructure investment. Growth is projected to recover in Kenya as inflation eases but to slow in Tanzania with moderation in investment growth.

The outlook for the region remains challenging, with economic growth remaining well below the precrisis average. The moderate pace of growth will translate into only slow gains in per capita income, which declined in 2016–2017 and will be far from sufficient to promote shared prosperity or accelerate poverty reduction.

TOP 10 INVESTMENT DESTINATIONS OF 2018

E

ach year, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) releases a Where to Invest in Africa report that assesses the economic outlook and investment opportunities in Africa. In the seventh edition of this report, there are significant changes in the top ten African nations to invest in and some warnings for the future economic outlook across the continent.

According to Nema RamkhelawanBhana, African analyst of RMB, “Africa’s importance to the global economy is reflected in a number of noteworthy publications that have been distributed by respected organizations in recent years and we understand that no two businesses are alike and that they regard macroeconomic, political, social and operating variables differently.”

Governments are gradually coming to the realization that diversification is necessary to foster meaningful growth. But transformation cannot be achieved in isolation. Structural reforms and greater private sector participation are crucial to unlocking Africa’s potential. RMB’s analysis of sectoral developments—specifically in the spheres of finance, infrastructure, resources, and retail—strongly support this point of view.

Top East African Investment Destinations Despite significant sociopolitical instability negatively impacting the country’s business environment and investment potential, Ethiopia has jumped up to fourth, one position higher than in the last two years. If stability came with economic progress, East Africa’s now largest economy could have ranked higher.

As a result of Ethiopia’s economic gains, Kenya has lost its placing as the

region’s largest economy and moved down to sixth on the investment ranking. However, Kenya is still one of the continent’s strongest economies, although it comes with frailties that highlight many of the key issues facing African nations: corruption, ethnic divides, political instability, and rising debts.

Tanzania is now one of Africa’s most exciting investment destinations, climbing up to number seven in this year’s ranking. Tanzania is hot on Kenya’s tail and it won’t surprise many to see it also overtake the region’s former leader.

Next, another one of East Africa’s hottest prospects reenters the top ten: Rwanda claims the eighth spot in this year’s report as the country continues to demonstrate ongoing growth and diversification.

Top West African Investment Destinations Ghana, previously in fourth, slipped to fifth while remaining the most attractive investment destination in West Africa. Despite a myriad of economic challenges, the country labors on as it slowly rebuilds confidence in its processes and policies under the watchful eye of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Côte d’Ivoire also slips down to tenth from eighth in 2016. After years of political paralysis, the world’s top cocoa producer has earned its place in the sun, supported by a booming economy, an emerging middle class, robust infrastructure development, and an improved business environment.

Nigeria does not make it into the top ten for the first time since the report’s first edition in 2011.

Top North African Investment Destinations For the first time, Egypt unseats South Africa as the leading investment destination in Africa, as it has tried to succeed in consolidating part of the economic gains accumulated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. However, the country’s operating environment could have been an inhibiting factor, as Egypt’s rise has to do more with South Africa’s decline.

Morocco is hot on the heels of its North African peer, holding steady at number three for a second consecutive year, buoyed by solid economic growth, favorable geographic positioning, sturdy infrastructure, strong regulatory policies, and a stable political setting.

Tunisia displaces Algeria from the rankings, making it the ninth most attractive investment destination in Africa.

South Africa Finally, South Africa falls to number two on the list, losing its coveted spot as a result of a faltering growth outlook and uncertain business environment.

Despite the streams of negative news, the country remains a bastion of institutional integrity and continues to be one of the best operating environments in Africa.

Below are the top 10 African countries to invest in in 2018: 1. Egypt 2. South Africa 3. Morocco 4. Ethiopia 5. Ghana 6. Kenya 7. Tanzania 8. Rwanda 9. Tunisia 10. Côte d’Ivoire

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ZIMBABWE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

P

resident Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is a safe and secure destination for all investments.

He said this while addressing delegates at the launch of the National Investment Policy Statement in Harare on January 19, 2018. He added that his

government is striving to make the country a safe destination and conducive environment to conduct business, hence its commitment to revamping infrastructure in the country.

Zimbabwe is open to new international relations, even with those who have been

Some key factors to consider when investing in Zimbabwe:  Mining: Zimbabwe is home to the second-largest diamond and platinum reserve in the world and boasts of having eight out of the nine “rare earth” minerals.

 Agriculture: Zimbabwe has favorable climate for year-round farming activities, abundance of skilled labor, and local partners with agricultural experience.

 Manufacturing: Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has traditionally been one of the key drivers of economic growth.

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hostile to us before. We must collectively find solutions to our problems and work together for the betterment of the country. It doesn’t matter which nationality you are from but what matters are the policies in place to make business and or investment viable for all.

Inve st in Afri ca

He urged Zimbabweans to offer not only criticism to government, but also solutions for the good of the nation: “Let us move away from the ‘them and us mentality’ but work together for

the development of the country; after all, we are all Zimbabweans and together we can.”

The Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) is the country’s investment promotion body set

up to promote and facilitate both foreign direct investment and local investment.

 Tourism: Zimbabwe is a famous tourist destination in Africa and has several internationally renowned tourist attractions and favorable year-round weather conditions.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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HEALTHCARE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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MLOGANZILA HOSPITAL,

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

MUHIMBILI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES (MUHAS) The Academic Medical Center of Muhimbili University is a 600-bed facility with 14 medical departments. The stateof-the-art facility located in Mloganzila, some 25 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam, sits on 3800 acres of land. It was officially inaugurated by President John Magufuli of Tanzania on November 25, 2017. Also known as MUHAS Mloganzila Campus, the hospital was built at a cost of $94.5 million with Tanzania’s own resources and the support of an aid fund run by the South Korean government.

The South Korean state-run Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) financed US$76.5 million to build the facility in 2011 to meet rising medical demand in Tanzania.

South Korean companies including Kolon Global Corporation and Samsung C&T Corporation partnered in this project. The EDCF was launched in 1987 to help developing countries via low interest loans.

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INVESTMENT

SECTORS

AGENDA 2063 and the DIASPORA AHMED EL-BASHEER A. EL-MADANI Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate During the first Global African Diaspora Summit in South Africa in May 2012, the heads of state and government of the African Union issued the Global Diaspora Declaration of 2012.

Through CIDO, we:  Facilitate the exchange of information and experience.  Establish mechanisms to harmonize national Diaspora policymaking with regional and continental frameworks to reduce duplication, optimize limited resources, and maximize impact.  Develop a Diaspora engagement map of AU member states to present a unified snapshot of the various Diaspora engagement policies, programs, projects, and partnerships in place in all AU member states as well as at the regional and continental levels.  Identify the capacity development needs of the newly formed Diaspora-oriented units, directorates, and departments set up by the governments of AU member states.  Develop workable proposals regarding the generation of new knowledge to improve evidence-based Diaspora engagement policy in critical sectors such as Diaspora investment and entrepreneurship, and sectors badly affected by the flight of skilled personnel from the continent, particularly in the fields of health and education.  Share case studies of proven outreach strategies.

“

Diaspora engagement is a strategic priority for the African Union.

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CIDO

People-Centered Organization.

T

he African Union’s Citizens

The African Diaspora refers to

and Diaspora Directorate

the communities throughout the

(CIDO) is designed to

world that are descended from

serve as a catalyst to facilitate the the historic movement of peoples involvement of African peoples in

from Africa, predominantly from

Africa and around the world in the the Americas, Europe, and the affairs of the African Union (AU).

Its main stated goal is “to maintain Diaspora participation

Middle East, among other areas around the globe.

Thus the Diaspora Division

in the African Union agenda

serves as the focal point and

across departments, partnership

hub for implementing the African

frameworks, and the wide range

Union’s decision to invite and

of policy activity including the

encourage the African Diaspora

flagship Agenda 2063.”

to participate in the building

Its constitutive act also

and development of the African

declares that it shall “invite and

continent. Therefore, its main

encourage the full participation

task is to serve as a catalyst for

of the African Diaspora as an

rebuilding the global African family

important part of our continent,

in the service of the development

in the building of the African

and integration agenda of the

Union.”

continent.

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Agenda 2063 a n d t h e D i a s p o r a

Citizens and Diaspora Directorate  Strengthening the

 Managing and

between the

operational capacity

coordinating other

Diaspora Civil Society

of the African Union

forms of interaction

Organization and the

to support Diaspora

between the AU and

approximate bodies on

involvement in AU

Diaspora organizations

the continent.

activities through

worldwide. This

regular communication

includes collaborating

linkages between

and flow of information

on policy and advocacy

the Diaspora and

on AU events and

efforts of Diaspora

various organs of the

activities and vice versa,

networks and

union, including the

cross-fertilizing the AU

coalitions, providing

Economic, Social,

program with Diaspora

technical support

and Cultural Council

activities, and mapping

and assistance,

(ECOSOCC); Peace and

the African Diaspora

enabling framework

Security Council (PSC);

around the world.

of cooperation, and

and the Pan African

maintaining working

Parliament (PAP),

relations.

among others.

 Serving as a focal point for the accreditation of

 Promoting effective

 Enabling participation

 Interfacing the African

and networks, as

of the Diaspora in Civil

Diaspora with the work

observers, delegates,

Society Organization

of different departments

and participants at the

(CSO) pre-Summit

of the AU Commission

AU Summit and other

forums and promoting

and their programs and

meetings.

effective collaboration

efforts.

Diaspora organizations

The term Diaspora originates from the ancient Greek word diasporá, meaning “a dispersion or scattering,” found in Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible.

The word first entered English in the late nineteenth century to describe the scattering of Jews after their captivity in Babylonia in the fifth century BCE.

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On May 25, 2012, in South Africa, the Global African Diaspora Summit concluded with African governments adopting a set of flagship projects aimed at strengthening the contributions of the diaspora to the continent. These were referred to as the Africa Diaspora Legacy Projects. In summary, they provide unprecedented opportunities for Africa Diaspora to be a vital, innovative, and active sector in Africa’s developments at local, national, regional and continental levels.

Diaspora Legacy Projects 1) African Diaspora Skills Database Prioritizing African professional expertise through systematic identification, compilation, and cataloging of the professional expertise.

2) Africa Diaspora Development Market Facilitating financing for the business community, from start-ups to small and medium sized enterprises, industries with high impacts, to social entrepreneurs.

3) African Institute for Remittances Lowering the costs of Remittance transfers within Africa 4) African Diaspora Investment Fund Addressing the financial and operational capacities of organizations 5) African Diaspora Volunteer Corps Providing opportunities for aspiring professionals and youths to gain hands-on practical training while improving their skills and knowledge I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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TRACKING THE DIASPORA Overview of the slave trade out of Africa, 1500–1900

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Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Map courtesy of Reddit I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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AFRICA The Africa Society, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., that educates and advocates for Africa.

Our programs, some of which have been in collaboration with African Governments, Universities and media entities, such as the Travel Channel, have had a global impact – reaching over 700 million households worldwide.

1100 17th St N.W. Suite# 1200 Washington, D.C. 20036 www.africasummit.org

Africa Matters!

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Maryland Celebrates African Diaspora In 2017, the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs created Celebrate Africa, a Pan-African celebration of Africa, Africans, and peoples of African descent.

The Commission was established on May 19, 2009, by an executive order to effectively address the concerns of the African Diaspora in Maryland. It serves as an advisory board to the governor and agencies within the executive department on matters relating to Maryland’s African immigrant population, such as economic, workforce,

“According to the latest U.S. Census, there are over 120,000 African-born Americans living in Maryland, and African immigrant communities are among the fastest-growing in the state. Maryland is enriched by the diversity of its residents, and we are committed to further promoting acceptance, understanding, and inclusion of our wealth of culture.

On behalf of Governor Larry Hogan, Congratulations on this occasion.”

—Honorable Boyd K. Rutherford, Lt. Governor, State of Maryland

and business development. Diversity continues to be one of Maryland’s greatest strengths. The governor and government agencies rely on the Commission to help expand opportunities for the growing African Diaspora population. Commissioners are appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms. The current commission has four subcommittees that reflect the emphasis of its work: Culture/Religion; Business; Health/ Outreach; and Education.

“Vision 2063 is the Africa Union’s strategic framework for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. It builds on, and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development. That vision cannot be successful without the Diaspora, Africa’s sixth region and one of the most resourceful Diaspora communities in the world.”

“The annual recognition of African heritage in September is one way we can share and engage in Africa’s unique traditions, customs, food, music, arts, and language, as well as acknowledge the significant accomplishments and contributions that Africa brings to Maryland and our country.”

—John C. Wobensmith, Secretary of State, Maryland

—H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Permanent Representative to the U.S.

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MOBILIZING THE DIASPORA CELEBRATE AFRICA 2017 Silver Spring, Maryland

Maryland Governor’s African Affairs Commissioners at Celebrate Africa Gala I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

I did not come to ask you to return to Africa, no, I only came to ask you to “look back” to Africa where you came from, and I don’t think that is asking too much of you.

—H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Permanent Representative to the United States Photo by George Bright, Afrikan Post I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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Agenda 2063 a n d t h e D i a s p o r a Africa House Photo

African Union Pan-African Diaspora Association—Inauguration, December 4, 2017

The mission of the African Union is to create a prosperous and selfsustaining Africa through strategic engagement and partnership between the African Diaspora and the Africans on the continent.

Pan African Diaspora Youth Association (PADYA) I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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North African Landmark Makam Echahid (Monument des Martyrs) Algiers, Algeria

PAN AFRICAN DIASPORA WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (PADWA)

Photo by African Post, George Bright

Dr. Remi Duyile

Chairwoman, PADWA Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association

P

ADWA’s uniqueness compared to other Diaspora organizations is the massive pool of talented and gifted women working together for a common goal. Our women are highly elated about the waves of great changes. They are working together to ensure we spread the love and learn how to collaborate with one another for accelerated business and development.

We have several upcoming projects, including monthly personal and business development seminars, networking activities, strategy sessions, and business-to-business matchmaking.

We also have an upcoming center of excellence for global health in Zambia. PADWA is open to all women of African descent.

We invite all to join us to this movement.

 Create and maintain an online store to promote Africa and Diaspora-made products and services

Goals and Objectives

 Create and maintain a Diaspora registry

 Create and maintain strategic partnerships that encourage exchange between Africa and the Diaspora

 Launch and maintain a $10.00 per month campaign: “Give us $10.00, your name, and we will make magic”

 Promote the health and wellbeing of the African Diaspora community

 Minimize the cultural barriers that hinder African Diaspora personal development and progress

 Link African women entrepreneurs in the Diaspora

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with women entrepreneurs on the continent

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Name

Board Role

Hon. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao

Adviser

Dr. Remi Duyile

Chair, PADWA Sector Lead, Monetary & Financial Affairs; Trade, Industry and Investment

Patience Patience Emeni Emeni

Vice Vice Chair, Chair, PADWA PADWA

Thabo Thabo Lenneiye Lenneiye

Secretary, Secretary, PADWA PADWA Sector Sector Lead, Lead, Infrastructure Infrastructure

Harriet Harriet Shangarai Shangarai

Coordinator, Coordinator, PADWA PADWA

Anne Anne Muindi-Shemenski Muindi-Shemenski Dr. Remi Dr. Remi Cole Cole

Strategist, Strategist, PADWA PADWA Sector Lead, Sector Lead, Agriculture Agriculture

Dr. Bertha Serwa Ayi Dr. Bertha Serwa Ayi Catherine Gacheru Catherine Gacheru Dr. Jamechia Hoyle Dr. Jamechia Hoyle Eurica Huggins-Axum Eurica Huggins-Axum Angelique Walker-Smith Angelique Walker-Smith Tinu Akinshola Tinu Akinshola Nnenna Alale Nnenna Alale Brannaa Neya Brannaa Neya Alicia Hamilton Alicia Hamilton Kimberly Fogg Kimberly Fogg Jeannine Scott Jeannine Scott Rehema Nkisi Rehema Nkisi Dr. Victoria Ehiebe

Sector Lead, Health Sector Lead, Health Sector Co-Lead, Health Sector Co-Lead, Health Sector Lead, Education & Human Development Sector Lead, Education & Human Development Sector Lead, Culture Sector Lead, Culture Sector Lead, Faith-Based Sector Lead, Faith-Based Sector Lead, Legal, Policy, Ethics & Governance Sector Lead, Legal, Policy, Ethics & Governance Sector Lead, Social Affairs Sector Lead, Social Affairs Sector Co-Lead, Communications & Public Relations Sector Co-Lead, Communications & Public Relations Sector Co-Lead, Communications & Public Relations Sector Co-Lead, Communications & Public Relations Sector Lead, Science & Technology Sector Lead, Science & Technology Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member

Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association (PADWA)

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NEW DIASPORA CHAPTER COMMISSIONED AT ACCOMPONG, JAMAICA

A

ccompong (from the Akan name Acheampong) is an historical Maroon village located in the hills of St. Elizabeth Parish on the island of Jamaica. It is located in Cockpit Country, where the local terrain enabled Maroons and indigenous TaĂ­no to establish a fortified stronghold in the seventeenth century. They defended it to maintain independence from the Spanish and then later against British forces, after the colony changed hands.

The people named their community Accompong after an early Maroon leader. Their autonomy with certain rights for limited selfgovernment was established by a peace treaty with the British in 1739.

Since gaining independence in 1962, the government of Jamaica has continued to recognize Maroon indigenous rights in this area.

The Jamaican Maroons are descendants of Maroons, Africans who escaped from slavery on Jamaica and established free communities in the mountainous interior, primarily in the eastern parishes. African slaves imported during the Spanish period likely were the first to develop such refugee communities.

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Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Ambassador Chihombori-Quao and delegation with leaders of Accompong

The African Diaspora consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union. —African Union Diaspora Division I N V E S T I N A F R I C A 2 01 8 : T H E A F R I C A N D I A S P O R A

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DIASPORA BY THE NUMBERS

Rapid Growth African-Born Population in U.S. Increases Since 1970

Total (thousands) 1,582.0

881.3

363.8 199.7 80.1 1970

1980

1990

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economic and Statistics Administration U.S. Census Bureau census.gov

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2000

2008–2012

Source U.S. Census Bureau 1970 to 2000 censuses, 2008 - 2012 American Community Survey

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

African Diaspora by Country Country

Diaspora Population

Brazil

55,900,000, including multiracial people

United States

46,350,467

Haiti

8,788,439

Colombia

4,944,400

France

3,800,000

Venezuela

3,156,817

Jamaica

2,731,419

United Kingdom

2,497,373

Dominican Republic

1,985,991

Mexico

1,386,556

Canada

1,198,540

Cuba

1,126,894

Italy

1,100,000

Puerto Rico

979,842

Peru

875,427

Germany

817,150

Spain

690,291

Ecuador

680,000

Trinidad and Tobago

452,536

Barbados

256,706

Guyana

225,860

Suriname

200,406

Argentina

149,493

Grenada

101,309

Total

140,000,000

Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_diaspora#cite_note-blackusa-6

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Agenda 2063 a n d t h e D i a s p o r a

African-Born U.S. Population: 1970 to Present

D

uring the last forty 2008–2012 is a brief based on years, the foreign-born American Community Survey population from Africa statistics and shows that the has grown rapidly in the United African foreign-born population States, increasing from about accounts for 4 percent of the 80,000 in 1970 to about 1.6 total U.S. foreign-born population. million in the period from 2008 to No African country makes up the 2012, according to a U.S. Census majority of these immigrants, but Bureau brief. The population has four countries—Nigeria, Ethiopia, roughly doubled each Egypt, and Ghana—make decade since 1970, up 41 percent of the Africans with the largest African-born total. account for increase happening The foreignfrom 2000 to 2012. born population of U.S. The Foreignfrom Africa had foreign-born Born Population a higher level population from Africa: of educational

4%

“The brief—the Census Bureau’s first focusing on the African foreign-born population—highlights the size, growth, geographic distribution and educational attainment of this group,” said Christine Gambino of the Census Bureau’s ForeignBorn Population Branch. “We have found that the African-born population tends to be more educated and accounts for a relatively large proportion of the foreignborn population in some nontraditional immigrant gateway states such as Minnesota and the Dakotas.”

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attainment than the overall foreign-born population: 41 percent of African-born had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 28 percent overall.

Within the foreign-born population from Africa, educational attainment varied by place of birth. For example, 40 percent of the Somali-born population had less than a high school education, while 64 percent of Egyptianborn individuals had a bachelor’s degree or higher.

This brief is one of several focusing on the foreign-born population from world regions of birth. Previous reports include The Foreign Born from Asia: 2011 and The Foreign Born from Latin America and the Caribbean: 2010.

In addition, supplemental tables are now available for the Africanborn population, segregated by metropolitan statistical area.

“Acquiring a college or other advanced degree was a major factor for many people of Nigerian ancestry coming to the United States, so it is not surprising that twice as many had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to all people and the other selected ancestry groups,” said Dr. Stella Ogunwole, a demographer in the Population Division.

AFRICAN DIASPORA IN WASHINGTON, DC  African immigrants make up 17 percent of the foreign-born population of the District of Columbia.  The top countries of origin of African immigrants in the District of Columbia are Ethiopia (17 percent), Nigeria (12 percent), Ghana (10 percent), Cameroon (9 percent), Egypt (4 percent), Liberia (4 percent), Somalia (3 percent), Guinea (3 percent), Sudan (2 percent), and Eritrea (2 percent).  The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than twothirds of African immigrants in the Washington metro area arrived since 1990, more than one-third arrived just between

Somalia, 3% Liberia, 4% Egypt, 4%

2000 and 2005, and less than 6 percent arrived before 1980.  For the 2010–2011 school year, 45,631 students were enrolled in the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPS).

Enrollment data by country of birth indicate that thirty African countries are represented among DCPS students, making it one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse in the nation.  African countries represented in DCPS are Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Côte D’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali,

Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan (before split into two separate countries), Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  Thirty African languages— excluding French and Arabic— are listed as spoken at home among African students.

These languages include Akan, Amharic, Bangolan, Basaa, Bwamu-Cwi, Criolo, Dinka, Ebira, Ga, Ibibio, Igbo, Kayibe, Klao, Kpelle, Krio, Mandigo, Oromo, Saho, Sango, Sangu, Shona, Somali, Susu, Swahili, Swati, Themne, Tigrigna, Wolof, Yeyi, and Yoruba.

Sudan, 2% Eritrea, 2% Guinea, 3%

Other, 34%

Cameroon, 9% Ghana, 10% Nigeria, 12%

Ethiopia, 17%

The top countries of origin of African immigrants in the District of Columbia Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey

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BRIDGING THE GAP—LITERALLY Outreach to Prince George’s County, Maryland

Three weeks ago, my wife Pamela and I hosted Ambassador Chihombori-Quao at our residence. She met with a group of women leaders and initiated an important conversation with them that I am proud of. I am pleased that she has returned to PG County again tonight to engage the business community.

The African Union Mission in Washington, DC now has a strategic partnership with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC). Together the two bodies are working to create new opportunities for their citizens.

—Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver Pan African Collectives / Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church

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Back Row (L–R) Robert William Dozier, Jr. (President & CEO, RWD Consulting, LLC .) | Jim Coleman (President & CEO, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation) Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver (President, Pan African Collective / Pastor, Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church) David C. Harrington (President & CEO, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce) | Max Chard (Managing Director, Carp Global, Zimbabwe) Vernon Mutata (Director, Carp Global, Zimbabwe) | Golden Makusha (Financial Advisor, HSBC Securities) Front Row Mrs. Pamela Weaver (Pan African Collective / Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church) | Hiwot Mengesha (Account Manager Marketing & Global Partnerships) H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao (African Union Mission, Washington, DC) | Jeannette Kayitesi (Operations Manager, Wakaa Waka Rwanda)

It is important that Prince George’s County firms get committed to investing in market opportunities outside of the U.S. The EDC’s international division which includes the Africa Trade Office will coordinate training, host and participate in outreach events, lead trade missions, and leverage partnerships to propel local companies into the successful alliances and opportunities on the global stage.

—PGCEDC

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Outreach to African Americans

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n February 7, 2018, H.E. Dr. Chihombori-Quao met with a group of African American women and discussed strategic partnership opportunities between her mission and African American communities across the country.

She opened her moving speech by first paying tribute to the shared history of slavery between continental Africans and African Americans. Following that, she shared business opportunities

in Africa with the women, invited them to join the Pan African Diaspora Women’s Association (PADWA), and join her on the 2018 Grand Africa Tour from Cape Town to Cairo.

Several of the women described the meeting as “spiritual and surreal,” since none of them had ever engaged with Africa at the level of the African Union’s Permanent Representative to the United States.

Reverend Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Weaver of Greater Mt.

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Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mitchellville, Maryland, hosted the historic event at their residence in Bowie, Maryland.

Ambassador Chihombori-Quao returned there on February 28 for another meeting with a group of African American businessmen seeking to do business with African governments and companies. The AU Mission in Washington continues to build partnerships and lasting relationships with Diaspora communities throughout North America and the Caribbean.

DIASPORA PACESETTERS Haben Girma (Eritrea/Ethiopia/United States) is a deafblind Harvard Law graduate, a disability rights advocate, and a beneficiary of U.S. civil rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2010, she graduated magna cum laude from Lewis & Clark, where she advocated for her own legal rights to accommodations in the school cafeteria. She went on and became the first deafblind student to attend and graduate from Harvard Law School, earning her JD in 2013.

Today, Haben travels the world consulting and speaking, teaching clients the benefits of fully accessible products and services. She is a talented storyteller who helps people frame difference as an asset.

Haben Girma Deafblind Harvard Law Graduate and Disability Rights Activist

President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change in February 2013. In 2016, President Clinton honored her, and Forbes recognized her in Forbes 30 Under 30.

President Obama chatting with Haben Girma at the White House. 25th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), July 27, 2015

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pay the joy of someone who was so blind for so many years and then suddenly they regain their vision,” she says. Dr. Ndume joined SEE International’s roster of over six hundred volunteer eye surgeons in 1995. Since then, SEE and Dr. Ndume have collaborated to hold free, week-long eye clinics in Namibia, typically twice every year. These clinics provide free eye surgeries for approximately three hundred impoverished men, women, and children. Many of her patients in the capital city of Windhoek have taken to calling her “Namibia’s miracle doctor.”

Dr. Ndume has received several awards for her humanitarian work. In 2004, she was awarded Grand Commander of the Order of Namibia, First Class. In

Dr. Helena Ndume 35,000 Eye Surgeries and Counting Dr. Helena Ndume is a Namibian ophthalmologist who

2011, CNN produced a piece on her work. In June 2015, she and Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio of Portugal became the first recipients of the United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize.

is internationally renowned for her humanitarian work.

Dr. Ndume studied medicine in Germany before

She currently heads the ophthalmology department at

returning to Namibia in 1989 to complete a medical

Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia’s largest hospital,

internship. She later returned to Germany, to specialize

and is one of only six Namibian ophthalmologists.

in ophthalmology at the University of Leipzig.

To date, she has performed sight-restoring surgeries

She’s one example of a Diasporan who is making a

upon thirty-five thousand Namibians, completely free

difference both at home and abroad. She’s a classic

of charge. “There’s no money in this world that can

example of the Diaspora giving back.

AFRICAN UNION–AFRICAN DIASPORA HEALTH INITIATIVE There is a growing shortage of health care in Africa. This crisis is partly due to the migration of health care professionals and the lack of training facilities. African Union–African Diaspora Health Initiative (AU-ADHI) in Washington, DC, is mobilizing African Diaspora health care professionals

and calling on Diaspora health professionals who want to make a difference by providing health care.

AU-ADHI is planning to cover African hospitals every day of the year with volunteers. Contact them via email, info@au-adhi.org, or visit their website, www.au-adhi.org.

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Principal, Adjaye Associates Sir David Adjaye, OBE, is recognized as a leading architect of his generation. Adjaye was born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, and his influences range from contemporary art, music, and science to African art forms and the civic life of cities. In 1994, he set up his first office, where his ingenious use of materials and his sculptural ability established him as an architect with an artist’s sensibility and vision. He reformed his studio as Adjaye Associates in 2000. The firm now has offices in London, New York, and Accra with projects in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. His largest project to date is the $540 million Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2016. It was named the Cultural Event of the Year by the New York Times.

Photo by the Smithsonian

David Adjaye

Other prominent completed works includes the Idea Stores in London (2005), which were credited with pioneering a new approach to library services; the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO (2010); the Sugar Hill mixed-use social housing scheme in Harlem, New York (2015); and the Aishti Foundation retail and art complex in Beirut (2015). Prominent ongoing projects include a new home for the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York; a new headquarters building for the International Finance Corporation in Dakar; and the just-announced National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London. In 2017, Adjaye was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to architecture, following the previous award of an OBE in 2007. That same year, he was recognized as one of the hundred most influential people of the year

by Time magazine.

He has additionally received the Design Miami/ Artist of the Year title in 2011, the Wall Street Journal Innovator Award in 2013, and the 2016 Panerai London Design Medal from the London Design Festival.

Adjaye is known for his frequent collaborations with contemporary artists on installations and exhibitions. Most notably, he designed the 56th Venice Art Biennale with curator Okwui Enwezor (2015). The

Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Photo by the Smithsonian

Agenda 2063 a n d t h e D i a s p o r a

Photo courtesy of Adjaye Associates

David Adjaye—Principal, Adjaye Associates

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge confers knighthood upon David Adjaye

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Upper Room, featuring thirteen paintings by Chris Ofili (2002), is now part of the permanent collection of Tate Britain. Further examples include Within Reach, a second installation with Ofili in the British pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2003) and the ThyssenBornemisza Art for the 21st Century Pavilion that was designed to show Your Black Horizon, a projection work by Olafur Eliasson, at the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Adjaye has held distinguished professorships at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. He has also taught at the Royal College of Art, where he had previously studied, and at the Architectural Association School in London. The material from his ten-year study of the capital cities of Africa was exhibited as Urban Africa at London’s Design Museum (2010) and published as Adjaye Africa Architecture (Thames & Hudson, 2011). He was the artistic director of GEO-Graphics, a map of art practices in Africa, past and present, a major exhibition at the Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels (2010). In 2015, a comprehensive retrospective exhibition of his work to date was launched at Haus der Kunst in Munich and the Art Institute of Chicago and was subsequently shown at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow.

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Ted Alemayhu Businessman, Philanthropist, and Politician

Ted Alemayhu is an Ethiopian-born philanthropist and politician and is the first African-born person to run for U.S. Congress. He is running as an independent candidate in the 2018 congressional race for the 37th District of California.

“I’ve been doing what politicians should have been doing for quite some time now. I’ve taken a number of initiatives in health care, immigration, unemployment, the economy, education, and other issues that affect my community,” he said, adding that U.S. politicians from his district were not actively responding to crises within the community. “I’m now prepared and well equipped to run for Congress.”

Alemayhu is well known as the founder and executive chairman of U.S. Doctors for Africa, and the Wall Street Fund for African Development (WSFAD), a privately held consulting firm that provides strategic access to development capital to various African countries. In 2009, he coordinated, through U.S. Doctors for Africa, a First Ladies Summit for Health in Los Angeles that brought together twenty-seven African countries to discuss health care. In 2015, he sought help from U.S. Congress on behalf of Ebola victims in Africa.

Alemayhu is also an advisor to the King of Swaziland, HRM Mswati III, and he is a member of the Business Advisory Council of the U.S. National Republican Congressional Committee; a board member of the World Trade Center, Cape Town, South Africa; and a recipient of the United Nations’ 2008 Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award, the 2008 Columbia University Harry Thalman Life Achievement Award, and a 2008 NASDAQ Honoree.

Photo courtesey of VOA

Linord Moudou Voice of America (VOA) On-Air Talent Linord Moudou is the producer and host of the Africa Health Network on Africa 54. She also produces and hosts Health Chat on VOA radio, a live call-in program that addresses health issues of interest to Africans.

She started her career with VOA television as the producer and host of Healthy Living, a weekly health news magazine covering African health issues, including malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS. She also shared new discoveries and medical breakthroughs, and provided tips and advice on how to prevent diseases and live a healthier life.

In 2000, she created, produced, and hosted Spotlight on Africa, a bilingual (French-English) television and radio program on Public Access Television and New World Radio in Washington, DC. With Spotlight on Africa, Linord dedicated herself to promote a more positive image of Africa internationally, through information and entertainment. Linord was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire. She is fluent in French and English and is conversational in Spanish and Creole.

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INAUGURAL AFRICAN DIASPORA YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT Young African Leaders Meet Young Diaspora Leaders

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he inaugural African Diaspora Young Leaders (ADYL) summit in August 2018 is set to be the biggest, most impactful one-day summit for young leaders of the African Diaspora in the United States. Hosted by the African Union Mission to the United States, it is an initiative in support of the Mission’s campaign to inclusively promote the notion of Diaspora among the next generation of leaders. The summit will, among other things, strengthen partnerships between the United States and Africa.

The summit will take place in Washington, DC, and will be a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest young leaders from cities all over the United States and the Caribbean to interact with young leaders from cities across Africa. To conclude, the African Union will host a closing gala to award prizes to deserving enterprises investing in Africa’s young leaders.

The summit is the first of its kind to be held in Washington, DC, and offers over two hundred young leaders the opportunity to learn and engage

in dialogue and attend educational sessions. It will allow them to network and share resources that will enhance their impact on the Diaspora. It will address topics on unity in the Diaspora, business and entrepreneurship, social advocacy and international development, and the Diaspora in pop culture and entertainment. Over a hundred businesses, government and nonprofit organizations, and scholarly leaders are expected to attend.

The purpose of the summit is to: Learn Improve the understanding of African Diaspora as a unifying concept.

Connect Facilitate the space and discussion between young leaders on the continent and the Diaspora, with key stakeholders in sectors of government, international development, and business/ entrepreneurship.

Inspire Strengthen capacity building and inspire young leaders, while providing access to training programs, mentorship, resources, and information.

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YOUNG AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS Connecting young African professionals for career development and opportunity creation.

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oung African Professionals (YAP) is a national networking forum of young African professionals in major U.S. cities such as Washington, DC, and Houston, Texas.

YAP created this platform to share experiences, exchange

innovative ideas for personal and professional advancement, and engage with contemporary leaders in business, technology, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship.

Profile of a YAP  Single or recently married with or without a young child or a couple of children  Recently moved out of their parents’ home or are about to do so  Taking their first shot at the American dream

 Might still be working to adjust immigration status, or considering returning to country of origin  Are seriously networking and very active on social media. May belong to professional groups such as YAP DC or YAP Houston.  Beginning to think about reconnecting with their alma mater, either in the United States or Africa  Calls family members in Africa less frequently due to their transition in the United States Photo courtesy of YAP

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Listen Up!

by Mercy Erhiawarien Nigerian-born Mercy Erhiawarien is a rising young African professional in the Washington, DC, area. She leverages her experience living and working in Africa to help build programs, policies, and processes that help organizations raise funds, improve program performance, and enter new markets. She is motivated by a deeprooted commitment to mobilize people to transform and impact their society. Mercy Photo by Mercy Erhiawarien

has an MA in public policy from Cape Town University in South Africa and a BA in international development from Queen’s University in Canada. She writes for ONE, a campaign and advocacy organization of more than 8 million people around the world taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. In the following article, Mercy writes on women and nutrition, technology, health, economic management, education, agriculture, energy, and transparency and accountability.

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NE’s Poverty Is Sexist report makes the observation that while poverty affects

Health In Africa, more women live with HIV than men (58 percent). Many women

malaria, and tuberculosis deaths.

greater impact on women in the

and programs that will enable them to

Economic Empowerment

least developed countries. On every

stay healthy. Tackling the health problems

Eighty-six percent of sub-Saharan

indicator, life is significantly harder for

that prevent people from reaching their

women are vulnerable in employment

girls and women in least developed

full potential is a passion for Dr. Agnes

compared to only 70 percent of their

countries compared with those living

Binagwaho. As a former Rwandan health

male counterparts. Lack of access

in other countries. Despite this,

minister and the current vice chancellor

to social protection, pay inequities,

African women are leading the way

and chief executive of the University of

and lack of financing are only a few

to bring about change in every sector.

Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Kigali,

things that hinder women from getting

Their training program targets tech

Dr. Binagwaho continues to champion

the best opportunities and achieving

health systems transformation in her

their full potential. Wendy Luhabe, a

country. Through her various posts at the

South African businesswoman and

National AIDS Control Commission and

entrepreneur, sets an example for

the Ministry of Health, she has made

women’s economic empowerment. She

significant contributions to the health

is a former director of the Johannesburg

sector. As result of her efforts and others

Securities Exchange (JSE) and chancellor

both men and women, it has a

sector gender inequalities. Through networking sessions, the founders of Akirachix, a company that is developing a successful force of women in technology, pair aspiring entrants with seasoned veterans in technology to

still lack access to quality health services

like her, Rwanda has seen a 66 percent

develop mentor-mentee relationships

of the University of Johannesburg. She

decrease in infant mortality since 2000,

also co-founded Women’s Investment

and promote collaboration.

a 70 percent decrease in child mortality,

Portfolio Holdings Limited (WIPHOLD),

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and a dramatic 60 percent drop in AIDS,

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

the first female-owned company listed

one-half of the agriculture labor force,

building, and advocacy, the coalition

on the JSE, to empower black women in

women make a critical contribution,

works to ensure that Uganda’s use

South Africa by integrating development

yet lack adequate resources for food

of natural resource is transparent and

and empowerment at the heart of

production (i.e., extension services,

accountable to its people. Ms. Ngabiirwe

business operations. At the community

financing, etc.). Seventy of Africa’s top

and others continue to advocate for the

level, Wendy encourages micro-

female scientists recently received the

adoption of the Extractive Industries

enterprise through pilot bakeries for

AWARD (African Women in Agricultural

Transparency Initiative (EITI) to promote

women in four South African provinces.

Research & Development) fellowship

openness and accountability.

Energy

and are working hard to increase women’s participation and productivity

Nutrition

For 1.3 billion people worldwide, energy

in agriculture. The AWARD fellowship

Poor nutrition produces poor health

access is an unaffordable luxury. These

cultivates female leadership in agriculture

and development outcomes for women

people have no access to electricity,

through mentoring and training of female

and children. It eventually contributes

which is critical for health system

agriculturalists in Africa. Subsequently it

to gender inequality since it lowers

infrastructure, cooking, and business

provides support to value chain research

productivity. More than 55 million

opportunities. Many African businesses,

and gender responsiveness. Recipients

children in sub-Saharan Africa are

especially female-owned businesses,

of the award focus on different areas,

affected by stunting, and 46 percent

cite lack of reliable energy as the

including clean energy technology for

of pregnant women are anemic. Poor

greatest obstacle to growth.

smallholder farmers or empowering

breastfeeding practices mean that

rural women through capacity building in

infants do not get the nutrition they

agriculture extension, nutrition education,

require in the first critical months of life.

Education Education is a central part of girls’ and women’s development. However,

and livelihood programs.

Technology

fall behind—nearly two-thirds of sub-

Transparency and Accountability

Saharan African girls are not in school

Holding governments accountable for

income through new jobs, business

and may never get there. Rapelang

how they spend money in the extractives

opportunities, and education. In sub-

Rabana of Botswana is transforming the

sector is critical to robust democracy and

Saharan Africa, nearly 45 percent

way students learn by using technology

engaged citizenship. Poor transparency

fewer women than men have Internet

to measure performance and encourage

in the management of natural resources

access and women are 23 percent

information retention. Rekindle Learning,

can be considered a violation of

less likely than men to own a mobile

her online training and education

human rights and has negative impacts

phone. Changing this situation is key

company, uses pedagogical theory on

on people’s health, well-being, and

to increasing women’s economic

how students learn to pioneer solutions

livelihoods. Ms. Winifred Ngabiirwe of

opportunities. Judith Owigar, Linda

for achievement.

Uganda is the executive director for

Kamau, Marie Githinji, and Angela Odour

Global Rights Alert and chairperson

are co-founders of Akirachix and leaders

of Publish What You Pay Uganda. She

in Kenya’s tech industry. They are

Investments in sub-Saharan African

leads a forty-member organization in

committed to ensuring that the poorest

agriculture are eleven times more

an advocacy coalition aimed at raising

young women in Nairobi have access

effective at reducing poverty than

awareness about the extractives sector

to information and communications

investments in other sectors. Being

in Uganda. Via mobilization, capacity

technology.

statistics show that girls continue to

Agriculture

Access to Internet and mobile phones potentially increases women’s

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MOBILIZING DIASPORA From Brain Drain to Brain Gain

Excerpted from the following: The Least Developed Countries Report 2012. “Chapter 4, Mobilizing the Diaspora: From Brain Drain to Brain Gain,” pp. 85–120. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2013.

Analytical Framework Labor Movements and Knowledge Flows

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ll international movement of labor entails some degree of knowledge flow across countries, which takes place in two basic forms. First, embodied knowledge directly accompanies people whenever they move across borders temporarily or permanently, “carrying with them” the knowledge that has been accumulated through education, learning, and/or experience. Second, once migrants are settled abroad, they can share their knowledge, skills, and technology with their home country at a distance (e.g., through information and communication technologies), without this involving the cross-border movement of natural persons.

International migrants consist of people with all levels of educational background, including those with no formal education and those with some degree of primary, secondary, or tertiary education. Differences in knowledge and skills between nonmigrants and migrants tend to become more accentuated as the migratory experience

unfolds. Time spent studying, living, and working abroad usually allows migrants to be exposed to different cultural and business environments and to acquire new skills, such as language, craft, technological, academic, professional, managerial, networking, and relational capabilities. This human capital accumulation abroad takes place through different mechanisms, including formal education, informal channels (e.g., on-thejob training, learning by doing while working), and/or accumulated experience. All emigrants can acquire some type of new skills and knowledge, but this tends to happen more intensively the more skilled emigrants are, through a process of cumulative causation driven by the increasing returns that are typical of knowledge and its accumulation.

Diasporas as a Knowledge Pool The stock of knowledge and skills of emigrants can potentially contribute to the accumulation of human capital and technological capabilities in the home country, mainly through two mechanisms: (1) the operation of Diaspora knowledge

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networks and (2) the return to the home country of students and long-term emigrants.

Diaspora Knowledge Networks Diasporas can thus serve as “brain banks” abroad; when properly organized, they can become a source of knowledge sharing and technology transfer with their home country.

Technology appears to diffuse more efficiently through culturally and nationally linked groups. By facilitating international knowledge flows and technology diffusion, Diasporas can act as “knowledge brokers” and promote innovation in the home country. The skills of Diaspora members are deemed especially appropriate, thanks to their combination of technical and substantive expertise with their acquaintance with local conditions (language, institutions, culture, etc.). However, the intensity and quality of knowledge flows and transfer between host and home countries depends on how they are organized, the actors involved, the amount of finance mobilized, the commitment of Diaspora members, and the institutional and economic development of the home countries. High-skilled emigrants tend to share little knowledge with home countries if these are small or low-income economies that are not undergoing rapid structural transformation. There, information flows tend to concentrate mostly on emigration itself (work opportunities abroad, migration mechanisms, etc.). This is in sharp contrast with the case of home economies that are

large or growing rapidly and undergoing structural transformation. Successful examples of Diaspora knowledge mobilization (e.g., Israel, Taiwan Province of China, India, and China) show that Diaspora technological entrepreneurs overseas can play an important role in helping to develop technological firms at home and can serve as a two-way link for market knowledge, connections, and technological transfer across countries.

Beneficial Brain Drain Most brain gain literature argues that brain drain raises returns to education, providing an incentive for people to obtain additional education in order to increase their chances of emigrating. Out of these educated people, many emigrate (i.e., brain drain). At the same time, some eventually do not settle abroad and thereby help raise the human capital endowment of the home country with respect to what would have been the case if the migration incentive had not been present (i.e., a net brain gain). The evidence on the benefits of migration stressed by the new migration literature is still inconclusive questions the assumptions and conclusions of this literature, arguing that the actual brain gain effect is smaller than what these authors claim and that they fail to take into account several negative externalities caused by brain drain. Still, both he and these authors agree that the net impacts of brain drain on home countries vary with brain intensity and are negative for countries with high brain drain rates.

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INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Wind Turbine Farm South Africa

Photo Credit : Flickr

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Jessica O. Matthews

Photo courtesy of Unchartered Power

Inventor, CEO, and Venture Capitalist, Co-founder of Uncharted Power

Jessica O. Matthews is a Nigerian-American inventor, CEO, and venture capitalist. She is the co-founder of Uncharted Power. Matthews attended Harvard and graduated from Harvard Business School. In 2011, Fortune magazine named her Fortune’s “10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs” and in 2015 named her as Fortune’s “Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs.” In 2012, the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations named her Scientist of the Year. Matthews is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria. The president of Nigeria named Matthews an ambassador for entrepreneurship for the country.

Information Communications Technology Energy Solutions to Power the Cities of Tomorrow, Today Uncharted Power uses renewable energy kinetic solutions to generate clean, consistent, and cost-efficient power for communities, facilities, and the Internet of Things.

F

ounded in May 2011, and headquartered in New York City, Uncharted Power is an awardwinning power company. With its proprietary MORE (Motion-based, Offgrid, Renewable Energy) technology, the company uses renewable kinetic energy solutions to power micro-grids for communities, large facilities, and the Internet of Things. Uncharted Power first

began as Uncharted Play, a new kind of social enterprise grounded in play and the happiness of life, that would show the world how play could be a tangible tool for inspiring social invention.

In 2008, founder and CEO Jessica O. Matthews worked on a class project at Harvard University to invent the SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball. Through her work on the project, Jessica quickly realized that the world of play and motion was truly uncharted territory when it came to tangibly addressing issues facing society. Jessica knew that an enterprise grounded in sustainable, realistic solutions for empowerment had real value.

Building on its foundations with the SOCCKET, the company has pioneered more innovations within the renewable-energy field. Updating the company name to Uncharted Power, it

Turning soccer balls, jump ropes, strollers, suitcases, and shopping carts into off-grid power sources.

has expanded its focus by developing the technology within the soccer ball, MORE, and designing kinetic (motion) energy generating solutions for infrastructure and smart applications.

Uncharted Power’s primary clients are large corporations and governments across Africa, with a particular focus on partners in Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, and Senegal. The company’s main goal is helping to power the rapidly developing smart communities across the world by utilizing the untapped kinetic energy available in a clean and renewable way.

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Photo by George Abu, Afrikan Post

DIASPORANS LAUNCH BOOK ON U.S.-AFRICA ENGAGEMENT UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA

(L–R) Beryl Nnoma-Addison (Editor/VP, AMIP News), Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (Asst. Sec. for Africa, State Dept.), Patricia Baine (President, The Africa Society), and Frederick Nnoma-Addison (Author and Compiler/CEO, AMIP News)

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n January 13, 2017, AMIP News and The Africa Society launched The United States and Africa Relations: The Obama Presidency, a comprehensive and creative compilation and review of U.S.–Africa engagement, with a focus on

the Obama Administration. U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield launched the commemorative book at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The 344-page book is based on the Four Pillars of the Obama Administration’s strategy toward

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engagement with sub-Saharan Africa that was issued in June 2012. They are: strengthen democratic institutions; spur economic growth, trade, and investment; advance peace and security; and promote opportunity and development.

Ag e n d a 2 0 6 3 an d t h e Dia spora

Book launch attendees

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PRESIDENT TRUMP MEETS AFRICAN LEADERS

President Trump addressed the leaders of Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, South Africa, and President Condé, who ­represented the African Union.

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Af r ica–US E n g ag ement

President Donald Trump’s meeting with African leaders at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2017.

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he following is a transcript of President Donald Trump’s remarks to African leaders at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2017.

Thank you very much, General. I appreciate it. And I’m greatly honored to host this lunch, to be joined by the leaders of Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and South Africa. In particular, I want to thank President Condé, who is representing the African Union. Thank you. Thank you.

In this room, I see partners for promoting prosperity and peace on a range of economic, humanitarian, and security issues. We hope to extend our economic partnerships with countries who are committed to self-reliance and to fostering opportunities for job creation in both Africa and the United States.

Africa has tremendous business potential. I have so many friends going to your countries, trying to get rich.

I congratulate you. They’re spending a lot of money. But it does—it has a tremendous business potential and representing huge amounts of different markets. And for American firms it’s really become a place that they have to go—that they want to go.

Six of the world’s ten fastestgrowing economies are in Africa.

Increasing American trade and investment across diverse industries— including agriculture, energy, transportation, health care, travel, and tourism—will further transform lives throughout the continent. Secretary Tillerson and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation are already considering an investment worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Côte d’Ivoire, which has made impressive economic reforms. Really, you’ve done a tremendous job.

We also hope that African firms— like the company Sasol—consider

making investments in the United States. Sasol, as an example, is building a $9 billion petrochemical plant in Louisiana, which will bring new jobs to the state and, really, hardworking Americans will be manning those jobs.

We cannot have prosperity if we’re not healthy. We will continue our partnership on critical health initiatives.

Uganda has made incredible strides in the battle against HIV/AIDS. In Guinea and Nigeria, you fought a horrifying Ebola outbreak. Namibia’s health system is increasingly self-sufficient.

My secretary of Health and Human Services will be traveling to Africa to promote our Global Health Security Agenda.

Yet, we know that our prosperity depends, above all, on peace. The United States will partner with the countries and organizations, like the African Union, that lead successful efforts to end violence, to prevent the spread of terrorism, and to respond to humanitarian crises. I commend your troops currently serving in the field. Very brave. Very, very brave what they’re going through.

You well know, too many people are suffering from conflict in Africa.

In the Central African Republic, the Congo, Libya, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan, among others, they’re going through some very, very tough and very dangerous times. Terrorist groups, such as ISIS, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, and al Qaeda also threaten African peace. The United States is proud to work with you to eradicate terrorist safe havens, to cut off their finances, and to discredit their depraved ideology. And a number of you have told me—actually, last night— that we’ve been doing a very good job over the last six or seven months in particular.

We’re closely monitoring and deeply disturbed by the ongoing violence in South Sudan and in the

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Congo. Millions of lives are at risk, and we continue to provide humanitarian assistance. But real results in halting this catastrophe will require an Africanled peace process and a sincere— really sincere commitment of all parties involved. And I know you’re working on that, and you’re working on that very hard. To assist in these efforts, I’m sending Ambassador Nikki Haley to Africa to discuss avenues of conflict and resolution and, most importantly, prevention.

I want to discuss our partnership against a global challenge. Today, the world faces an enormous security threat from [the] North Korean regime.

We must all stand together and be accountable in implementing United Nations sanctions and resolutions in response to North Korea’s hostile and menacing actions.

We believe that a free, independent, and democratic nation, in all cases, is the best vehicle for human happiness and success. Thank you for joining me for this critical discussion of the challenges and the opportunities facing our nations.

Africa, I have to say, is a continent of tremendous, tremendous potential.

The outlook is bright. I look forward to hearing from you and your advice during the meal. I thought rather than just eating, we’ll have long discussions—and I look forward to that very much. But I also look forward to getting to know so many of you, and so many of you I do know. And it’s an honor. It’s an honor.

And I really want to congratulate you—growing very fast economically and in every other way. You’ve done a terrific job, you’ve had some tremendous obstacles placed in your path, but you have done, really, an absolutely incredible job.

So I want to thank you, and I look forward to our discussion. Thank you.

Thank you all very much.

IGNORING AFRICA ENDANGERS AMERICA Three Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy Malpractice

by Grant T. Harris

Grant T. Harris is CEO of Harris Africa Partners LLC and advises companies and organizations on strategy, policy, and mitigating risk with respect to doing business in Africa. He is a former White House senior director for Africa Affairs and was special assistant to President Obama (2011–2015) and the primary architect of the Obama administration’s “U.S. Strategy Toward sub-Saharan Africa” document.

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frica is so important . . . from a national security view,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a state department town hall in May, promising that the continent “will continue to receive our attention.” Sadly, those words ring hollow.

From its hasty proposals to slash diplomacy and aid, to its glacial pace of filling key posts, the Trump administration is dangerously underestimating Africa’s importance to American interests. To the extent that there is a current “Africa policy,” it is devoid of high-level leadership and increasingly militarized.

As a result, the United States is essentially ignoring an entire continent replete

“

with far-reaching challenges as well as economic opportunities. This neglect exposes Americans to greater risks from terrorism and other transnational threats, reduces U.S. economic competitiveness, and diminishes U.S. global influence.

First and foremost, the Trump administration fails to understand that partnering with African countries is necessary to keep Americans safe from international risks, including terrorism. As top U.S. military officials have pointed out, the presence of an Islamic State group in Africa poses a real danger.

Other extremist groups are also looking to broaden their reach on the continent, and beyond. Al-Shabaab in

Photo: Harris Africa Partners

Somalia, for example, has solicited Americans for new recruits and to encourage attacks on U.S. soil.

The Trump administration’s primary response has been to sell more weapons to Nigeria and increase military engagement in Somalia. This approach misses the bigger picture: that the conditions in Africa’s many weak and failed states make it easier for risks like terrorism and criminal activity to spread.

The only long-lasting solution is to improve the stability of African countries, which in turn depends on sustainable economic growth, good governance, justice, and a sense of opportunity for youth. As the head of the United States Africa Command, General Thomas

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Waldhauser has said, “We have got to find a way to get at education, health care, hopelessness, livelihood, and the like” because “we cannot kill our way to victory here.”

Nor is violent extremism the only threat to Americans; weak institutions in Africa also contribute to trafficking, piracy, and epidemics. Take, for example, the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, which could have infected 1.4 million people in only four months—and potentially killed millions in Africa and beyond.

Only U.S. leadership (including U.S. troops deploying to West Africa) and international support prevented this worst-case scenario.

A second reason why ignoring Africa is negligent is because it undermines U.S. economic competitiveness. More than 40 million American jobs depend on international trade; supporting and growing those jobs hinges on our ability to attract consumers worldwide, including in Africa, the last frontier in emerging markets. Africa’s young and growing population will shape global markets for decades, yet American businesses remain underinvested. Meanwhile, China and other global competitors are not hesitating: More than ten thousand Chinese firms currently operate on the continent, and they could be worth $440 billion by 2025. China surpassed the United States back in 2009 to become Africa’s largest trading partner and gains more ground by the day.

True, the U.S. government alone cannot reverse these trends. But the Trump administration is making them worse by undercutting the commercial and development agendas pursued by the previous three U.S. presidents, especially President Barack Obama’s emphasis on trade and investment. Frankly, this administration is

not providing the tools, financing, and highlevel advocacy needed to make American companies optimally competitive.

Third, by overlooking Africa, the Trump administration makes it harder to advance an international order that benefits the United States. This is not lofty international relations theory: Quite simply, the United States needs African support to meet national security goals that it cannot accomplish alone. African countries represent the largest bloc of votes in many international fora, including the United Nations—a body that the United States relies on to advance priorities such as restricting financial flows to terrorists and enforcing sanctions against hostile regimes.

Conversely, ignoring Africa opens the door for other willing partners whose agendas may run counter to American interests. For instance, North Korea has made deals with African countries to access hard currency for its weapons of mass destruction program.

As China deepens its political, military, and cultural connections with African states, it rakes in over $50 billion in annual profits on infrastructure investments. Russia, too, hopes to take advantage of a limited U.S. presence by expanding trade with African countries, selling more weapons and accessing resources as a buffer against Western sanctions.

In fairness, both Democratic and Republican administrations—as well as the general public—tend to underestimate Africa’s importance to U.S. national security.

Yet this administration’s persistent neglect of Africa constitutes nothing less than foreign policy malpractice. Without a rapid change of course, there is no doubt that Americans will be suffering the consequences for years to come.

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Kenya, East Africa

FIFTH ANNUAL AU–US HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE

Strengthening Ties Between the US and Africa NOVEMBER 16, 2017 Thank you African Bureau, US Department of State, for your cooperation, support, and strong partnership.

—H.E. Chihombori-Quao

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State Department Photo

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high-level delegation from the African Union Commission (AUC) participated in the fifth annual African Union Commission/United States High-Level Dialogue held on November 16, 2017, in Washington, DC. Key note discussants from the AU side were H.E. Amb. Smail Chergui, commissioner for Peace and Security; H.E. Amb.Minata Samate Cessouma, commissioner for Political Affairs; and H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, commissioner for Human Resources Science and Technology.

The High-Level Dialogue falls within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the AUC and the U.S. State Department in 2013, which puts in place a structured process for dialogue on matters of strategic importance as well as cooperation to realize common goals related to Africa’s development and integration. The MoU also aims at holding discussion between the two parties in the context of working groups to address the issues of peace and security; democracy and governance; economic development, investment, and trade; and promotion of opportunities in development.

The bilateral discussions held at the U.S. State Department focused on strengthening democratic institutions; spurring economic growth, trade, and investment; advancing peace and security; and promoting opportunity and development. Collaboration in these strategic areas of common interest have helped cement the United States’ constructive

The African Union is our steadfast partner on the continent and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the AU and its member states. ­—USAU Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard

partnership with the AUC and further deepened the multifaceted relationship with Africa.

“We have always worked closely with the African Union and the AU Commission and we remain committed to dialogue and productive engagement.

The African Union is our steadfast partner on the continent and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the AU and its member states,” U.S. Ambassador to the AU (USAU) Mary Beth Leonard said in her opening remarks. She highlighted the work the USAU is doing with the departments of the AUC in the different areas identified for the cooperation.

She also pointed out support given to the Department of Political Affairs to implement the AU’s African Governance Architecture with the view to promote democracy, good governance, and human rights throughout AU-affiliated bodies, including Regional Economic Communities and member states.

Acting US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Ambassador Yamamoto (center) with his counterparts after the 5th Annual US-African Union High Level Dialogue at the US Department of State in Washington, DC.

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Hosting the High-Level Dialogue, acting assistant secretary of state Don Yamamoto stated that “working together we hope to make the most of this opportunity to highlight the successes of the African Union, underscore our mutually productive engagement

across the continent, and also to reiterate U.S. support in striving towards the shared goal of a stable and prosperous Africa.”

The High-Level Dialogue was also a platform to provide an update on the state of implementation of the flagship

projects of the continental Agenda 2063. “A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development” as well as social, economic, and human development with the view to improve the living condition of the African people.

Secretary Tillerson Meets African Foreign Ministers

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uring the Trump Administration’s first ministerial on trade, security, and governance in Africa, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with delegations from thirty-seven countries and the AUC, in addition to representatives from the United States and African private sectors and civil society on November 17 to address cooperation in increasing trade and investment, promoting good governance, and countering violent extremism on the African continent.

During the opening session on increasing trade and investment, Secretary Tillerson underscored the vast opportunities for expanding U.S. commercial ties with Africa to support mutual prosperity. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Mark Green highlighted U.S. efforts to foster private-sector-led growth that is increasingly central to supporting economic development in Africa. African foreign ministers

welcomed the renewed attention on trade and investment and called for greater effort to spur investment in infrastructure and manufacturing industries in Africa.

In the second discussion, the secretary reinforced that governments that uphold core democratic principles and practices create societies that are safer, healthier, more secure, more prosperous, more likely to lead to economic growth, and more inclined to respect the human rights of their citizens. African partners discussed the importance of democracy in Africa being unique to the cultural context of the continent and its individual countries, while still respecting the fundamentals of good governance, individual respect for human rights, and the rule of law.

The final session on countering violent extremism provided African foreign ministers an opportunity to discuss best practices and lessons learned from their countries’ respective experiences in countering radicalization to violence, supporting cross-border cooperation, and protecting soft targets. They expressed gratitude for U.S. support for their counterterrorism efforts, and there was a frank discussion on American support for the G-5 Sahel Joint Force and the Multinational Joint Task Force. African partners also stressed the importance of using comprehensive approaches to counterterrorism and preventing the spread of violent extremism that complements security sector professionalization, with particular focus on addressing the economic, governance, and social vulnerabilities exploited by terrorist organizations for recruitment.

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The United States and Africa Partnership for Prosperity through Trade The United States and Togo co-hosted the 16th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Lomé, Togo August 8-10 under the theme “The United States and Africa: Partnering for Prosperity through Trade.” The Forum brought together senior government officials from the United States and 38 sub-Saharan African AGOAeligible countries to discuss ways

to boost economic cooperation and trade between the United States and Africa.

Representatives from the African Union, regional economic communities, the private sector, civil society, and the U.S.-sponsored African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) participated. Ministerial plenaries brought together senior government

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officials from the United States and the 38 African beneficiary countries.

The 2017 Forum explored how countries can continue to maximize the benefits of AGOA in a rapidly changing economic landscape, and highlighted the important role played by women, civil society, and the private sector in promoting trade and generating prosperity.

Af r ica–US E n g ag ement

Improving AGOA Utilization: The role of Africa’s Diaspora By H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao The African Growth and Opportunity (AGOA) grants eligible sub-Saharan Africa countries duty-free and quotafree access to the United States (U.S.) for selected exports.

Currently, 39 Sub- Saharan African countries are eligible to benefit under this Act. Only a few of the eligible countries have however been able to effectively utilize the opportunities.

The Act was initially valid for 15 years (up to the year 2015) but it was renewed for an additional 10 years on June 29, 2015. It will now expire in 2025. With the extension, the Act further sought to emphasize the element of investment, in addition to trade. Whilst Export to the USA from the eligible sub-Saharan African countries has increased in the past 18 years, the export product profile has mainly been dominated by oils and minerals.

Beyond 2025, there are indications that there will not be any further renewal of the Act. It is therefore absolutely necessary that Africa is able to make the best of the trade preferences in the remaining 7 years validity of the Act and also start preparing to adapt to the significant changes in the U.S.-Africa trade and investment partnership, post-2025. One of the major ways in which Africa has been working on to maximize use of the preferences has been the development of national utilization strategies for the eligible countries.

This was the subject of a Workshop held in Accra, Ghana from 29th April,

to 4th May 2018 jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union Commission, and the African Development Bank. The workshop also incorporated expertise from some relevant USA agencies such as the US Mission to the African Union, USA Department of Labor and the US Trade Representative (USTR).

The workshop aimed at providing AGOA beneficiary countries with practical guidelines, country and regional experiences in designing national AGOA Utilization Strategies.

An important element discussed is the role that the African diaspora in the United States can play in enhancing the utilization of AGOA. Trade and migration theory, has it that migration and therefore diaspora can have a big impact on trade and investment relations between the home and host countries since the diaspora has good knowledge of both trade and investment environments of their home and host countries. Diaspora networks can provide potential benefits and opportunities for trade, investment and development links between countries of origin of migrants and their communities abroad. For example, such networks can make it possible to generate demand for home countries’ exports produced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby enhancing the participation of SMEs in trade and investment activities. The diaspora can assist to bridge the information gap in terms of opportunities available in their host country and also provide important networks for the transmission of skills and technology.

Borrowing a leaf from India and China which have well developed diaspora networks, Africa can develop and nurture similar networks so as to take advantage of the many trade, investment and development benefits and opportunities associated with diaspora linkages. Africa will therefore need to make concerted efforts to harness the worth of its 6th region both as a market for its products as well as a source for its investment efforts under AGOA. Such efforts can easily be achieved and supported under a number of already existing frameworks such as the African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), a U.S. State Department initiative, and the Pan African Diaspora Women Association (PADWA) which is being championed by the African Union Representational Mission to the United States. Among its objectives, PADWA seeks to link African women entrepreneurs in the diaspora with women entrepreneurs on the African Continent as well as create and maintain an online store.

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) can easily be harnessed to champion such as cause as it already has a continental network whose composition also includes young business leaders and entrepreneurs. Harnessing the African diaspora in the area of trade therefore provides an illustration of an innovative approach for improving utilization of AGOA preferences

by African countries. It is such approaches as these that will end up making a difference in AGOA in addition to resolving the many other constraints identified in doing business under AGOA.

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COMMENTARY ON AGOA & TRADE The African diaspora in the United States can play an important role in enhancing the utilization of AGOA. Trade and migrations theory has it that migration and therefore diaspora can have a big impact on trade and investment relations between the home and host countries.

H.E. DR. ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI-QUAO AU Permanent Representative to the United States

I applaud the signing of the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Millennium Challenge Act (MCA) Modernization Act into law—April 24, 2018. This will enable eligible countries with Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts to simultaneously enter one additional compact if the country is making considerable and demonstrable progress in implementing the terms of the existing Compact.

REPRESENTATIVE KAREN BASS Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa

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Over the next five years, 19 subSaharan African countries are expected to achieve average growth rates of 5 percent or higher. And over the last five years combined, Ethiopia’s growth rate has been second highest in the world. Africa is moving steadily on a trajectory of economic growth and increasing self-reliance—a vision this administration supports. And one way the Trump Administration plans to support Africa’s vision is, of course, ensuring that it aligns with its own.

HONORABLE WILBUR ROSS US Secretary of Commerce

For effective utilization of AGOA for accelerated inclusive growth and economic development, there is the need for African Union Member States and private sector operators to work together as stakeholders and strategic partners to unpack and address the complexities of AGOA, whilst ensuring that the benefits of AGOA lead to mutual gains for all state parties, regardless of their peculiarities and level of development.

HONORABLE ALAN KYEREMATEN Minister for Trade and Industry, Ghana

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Perspectives on the African Continental Free Trade Area and African Growth and Opportunity Act Nexus Honorable

Albert Muchanga Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union Commission On 21st March, 2018 In Kigali,

also be attracted to take advantage

Rwanda, the Assembly of the

of the economies of scale and scope

African Union Heads of State and

that it has created. Production that is

Government, in an Extra-Ordinary

centred on value addition will pick up,

Summit, took a bold, historic and

thereby contributing to the economic

transformative step to create the

diversification of African countries

African Continental Free Trade

as well as enhancing their export

(AfCFTA). In so doing, Africa decided

competitiveness both within Africa

to put behind her, the era of small,

and the rest of the world. Under the

isolated and fragmented markets.

African Continental Free Trade Area,

Africa also decided that we can no

intra-African trade is expected to

longer continue to compete among

grow by 52.3% by 2022 while African

ourselves to export commodities to

exports to the rest of the world are

the rest of the world. At the same

expected to grow by 6% within the

Kigali Extra-Ordinary Summit, the

same period.

Heads of State and Government signed the Protocol on Free Movement of People, Right of Establishment and Right of Residence, a Protocol which once it comes into force, will enable the people of Africa to move freely and cheaply across the continent, be it as investors, traders and tourists.

Three months earlier, the Heads of State and Government launched the

member states. In its design, AGOA was expected to contribute to Africa’s development and regional integration agenda through trade and investments by encouraging African exports to the

This growth in Africa’s exports to the

US and encouraging establishment

rest of the world will assist Africa to

of investments for firms to produce

integrate in the global value chains

eligible goods under the scheme.

and also help the continent to increase its exports to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Herein lies its nexus with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

With a large and attractive market in the AfCFTA, we invite US companies to take advantage of this growing market. Its attractiveness is well captured in the Washington Post article on the AfCFTA of 29th March,

Single African Air Transport Market

As widely known, AGOA is a United

2018.which stated; inter-alia: “(African)

to stimulate investment in the African

States Trade Act, enacted on 18th May

Countries…are likely to accelerate

civil aviation sector.

2000 as Public Law 106 of the 200th

their industrial development. By

Congress. On 29th June 2015, the US

2030, Africa may emerge as a $2.5

Congress renewed AGOA for a further

trillion potential market for household

ten years up to 2025. The legislation

consumption and $4.2 trillion for

significantly enhances market access

business-to-business consumption.”

In this large, harmonized and attractive market of about 1.27 billion consumers, investors from both within Africa and outside the continent will

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to the US for qualifying African Union

Af r ica–US E n g ag ement

Our concerted focus on

this means, therefore, is that under

assessment results on the continent

industrialization is anchored on a

the AfCFTA, it will become much

is already being done. We are also

number of factors. Of interest here

easier to further develop production

reversing the use of quality and

is that liberalization will generate

and regional value and supply chains

technical standards as non-tariff

incentives for value addition in

for the benefit of both AGOA and the

barriers. The development of quality

addition to the fact that Africa has

AfCFTA itself.

infrastructure on the continent

a growing middle class. Africa’s population is expected to be around 1.7 billion by 2030 from which there will be a middle class of 600 million people. These two factors capture the basis of the expected growth of household consumption and business-to-business consumption stated by the Washington Post article cited in the preceding paragraph.

In addition, the AfCFTA will provide businesses in both the US and the Africa with a more stable and predictable policy framework on which to base long term investment decisions and strategies. Of critical importance here with be the Protocols on investment, competition and intellectual property rights which will be concluded by 2020 as component parts of the package

will ensure rapid growth of intraAfrican trade as well as export competitiveness in markets outside Africa, including the US market under AGOA. The AfCFTA Agreement and Protocols also have specific annexures dealing with Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs), Trade Facilitation as well as Sanitary and phytosanitory (SPS) issues. These issues have been known to have underlined the low utilization of AGOA

We may also add that the promotion

of AfCFTA legal instruments.

of industrialization is vital because

These protocols, when concluded

42% of intra-African trade is currently

and enforced will consolidate

composed of manufactured products.

the foundations of our economic

This is a foundation that has to be

integration by creating a continent-

nurtured so that industrialization

wide environment of fair competition,

becomes a key input in increasing the

harmonized investment policies and

share of intra-African trade in Africa’s

a regime for protection of intellectual

total trade as well as raising Africa’s

property rights that will spur

From these few perspectives, it can

share in global trade which has been

innovation.

be confidently stated that the AfCTA-

very low since the early years of the independence of African countries. In this connection, we expect that Africa, under the AfCFTA will fully utilize the AGOA trade preferences which are currently under-utilized due among others to Africa’s weak productive capacities.

Of added interest to both African and American businesses that

preferences among the eligible African Union Member states. Thus, tackling these issues under the gambits of the AfCFTA means that they are also being addressed as factors positively impact on the utilization of AGOA market preferences.

AGOA nexus exists and is most welcome.

will be players in both the AfCFTA

We conclude by stating that the

and AGOA markets is the question

AfCFTA will provide a good platform

of quality infrastructure. Since

for Africa to engage with the USA

quality is key to establishing and

on post AGOA trade and Investment

sustaining competitiveness, we, are,

arrangements. We have seven years

in this respect also in the process

before the expiry of AGOA. In this

Some rules of origin under AGOA

of developing Africa’s Quality

period, we envisage the substantive

which, among others, allow for

Infrastructure institutions dealing

development of an AfCFTA that could

cumulation and sourcing of inputs

with standardization, metrology

serve as a springboard for a post-

from third parties (for example, in

(measurement systems), and quality

AGOA arrangement that consolidates

apparel), in themselves serve to foster

assurance. Issues of standards

economic and commercial relations

regional integration, especially if it

harmonization and facilitation of

between Africa and the USA in a

involves an African third party. What

mutual recognition of conformity

framework of mutual benefit.

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ECA Support to AGOA By

Dr. David Luke

Coordinator, Africa Trade Policy Center United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

May 2018 The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States including through regional integration and international cooperation. ECA through its Africa Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) has provided substantive technical support to AGOA eligible countries since its enactment to ensure effective implementation of the legislation. To this end, ATPC carries out research to assess the effectiveness of the initiative, track its performance and offer advice on enhancing the utilization of the preference. ATPC has also been active in providing evidence-based analysis to improve the program and ahead of successive renewals of the AGOA legislation to ensure that Africa’s interests are taken into account. This short article will look at these two aspects of ECA’s support to AGOA – enhancing utilization and improvement of the program.

As part of its support for enhancing utilization, in 2012, ATPC developed Guidelines on AGOA National Response Strategies to provide a structured framework to assist AGOA eligible countries in responding more effectively to the program and

to monitor and track performance.

The Guidelines have the objective of ensuring a results-based countryresponse to AGOA. ECA has utilized the Guidelines to support the development of AGOA Strategies for Lesotho, Zambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire.

In addition, ECA regularly supports the preparation of the African Group in Washington DC for the annual AGOA Forum and Mid-Term Review in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and African Development Bank (AfDB).

Turning to ECA support for improving the program, ECA’s research was instrumental in making the case for the introduction of the third country fabric provision which introduced flexibilities for AGOA eligible countries to source inputs from third countries in the manufacture of apparel for export to the US. In the run up to the 2015 renewal of the AGOA legislation, ECA was tasked by African Heads of State and Government to conduct research and make recommendations on how the program could be improved. The recommendations contributed to the successful renewal of the enhanced AGOA program for 10 years up to 2025. The 10-year time-frame was crucial for investors to be able to plan over a medium-term horizon.

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Recently, with launch of the African Continental Free Trade (AfCTA) in March 2018, ATPC is intensifying efforts to ensure that AGOA contributes to the objectives of this initiative which include continental economic integration and industrial development.

It is against this background and in recognition that intra-African trade also enhances the capacity of African countries to export under AGOA, ECA organized a Capacity Building and Skills Development Workshop for AGOA eligible countries on April 30 - May 4 2018 in Accra, Ghana, to accelerate AGOA utilization rate for the remaining seven years before its expiry in 2025. The training workshop aimed at providing beneficiary countries with practical guidelines, country and regional experiences for designing national AGOA utilization strategies.

Going forward, ECA will continue to provide technical support for effective utilization of the AGOA program in the context of the opportunities for African business generated by regional integration initiatives such as the creation of the AfCTA and other Agenda 2063 programs.

SECRETARY TILLERSON IN AFRICA Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Chad, and Nigeria

consumer spending there is projected to exceed $2 trillion by the year 2025.

By the year 2030, Africa is expected to represent about one quarter of the n his first, and last, official trip to world’s workforce and consumers, with Africa as President Trump’s first a population of more than 1.7 billion.

Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson This administration seeks to refocus our traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, economic relationship squarely on trade Kenya; Djibouti, Djibouti; N’Djamena, and investment—to encourage policies Chad; and Abuja, Nigeria, from March that increase openness and competition 6–13, 2018. While there he met with within Africa. leaders of each country, as well as Presidents Debby (Chad), Guelleh the leadership of the African Union (Djibouti), Kenyatta (Kenya), Buhari Commission in Addis Ababa, to further (Nigeria), Prime Minister Hailemariam U.S.-Africa partnerships. Key subjects he Desalegn (Ethiopia), and AU Chairman discussed with African leaders included Faki all deemed Secretary Tillerson’s curbing counter terrorism, advancing visit successful and looked forward peace and security, promoting good to deepening their relations with governance, and spurring mutually him personally and with the State beneficial trade and investment.

Department. However, after returning to During an event at the George Washington, DC, Tillerson was fired via a Mason University on the morning of tweet from President Trump. his departure, where he spoke under @realDonaldTrump the theme “U.S.-Africa Relations: A Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will New Framework,” Tillerson explained become our new Secretary of State. He that planning for his trip began back in will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex November, after a ministerial of 37 African Tillerson for his service! nations and the African Union was hosted 5:44 AM - 13 Mar 2018 at the State Department.

Tillerson’s departure abruptly paused Africa is a growing market with vast Africa-U.S. relations at the highest level potential. Five of the world’s 10 fastest- until Mike Pompeo’s confirmation hearing growing economies are in Africa, and and swearing in.

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Secretary Tillerson in Africa  Secretary Tillerson with Prime Minister Desalegn Addis Ababa, March 8

Secretary Tillerson with  AU Chairman Faki Addis Ababa, March 8

 Secretary Tillerson with President ­Kenyatta Nairobi, March 9

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 Secretary

Tillerson with President Guelleh Djibouti, March 10

Secretary Tillerson with  President Debby N’Djamena Chad, March 10

 Secretary Tillerson with President Buhari Abuja, March 12

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President Trump Reaffirms His Commitment to Africa

I offer my deepest compliments as you gather in Addis Ababa for the 30th African Union Summit. I salute the leadership of Chairperson Moussa Faki in working to transform the Union into an increasingly effective institution to advance economic prosperity, strengthen peace and security, and deliver positive outcomes for Africa and the broader international community. I congratulate His Excellency Paul Kagame on his accession as Chairman of the Assembly, and thank His Excellency Alpha Condé for his service.

The United States profoundly respects the partnerships and values we share with the African Union, member states, and citizens across the continent. I want to underscore that the United States deeply respects the people of Africa, and my commitment to strong and respectful relationships with African states as sovereign nations is firm. Our soldiers are fighting side by side to defeat terrorists and build secure communities. We are working together to increase free, fair, and reciprocal trade between the United States and African countries, and partnering to improve transportation security and safeguard legal immigration.

The challenges and opportunities this summit will address—advancing trade and development, resolving armed conflicts, and combating corruption, among many others—are critical to the future of the African continent, and you can rely upon America’s partnership and support for the African Union’s leadership on these issues.

In the coming year, I look forward to building on relationships established during the African Leaders’ Lunch during the United Nations General Assembly, the Africa Ministerial in Washington, and engagements of Ambassador Nikki Haley, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, and my Ambassadors throughout the continent. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Africa for an extended visit in March, and I look forward to welcoming many of you to the White House.

Please accept my greetings, highest regards, and best wishes for a successful Summit.

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BILATERAL MEETINGS

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n January 26, 2018, in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump met with newly elected African Union Chairman and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, calling him a “friend”. The leaders met at the World Economic

Forum. Kagame says he and Trump had “good discussions” on economic and trade issues, and the African Union is “looking forward to working with the United States.”

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during their bilateral meeting at the World Economic Forum Conference Center, Friday, January 26, 2018, in Davos, Switzerland.

Presidents Trump and Buhari during a White House Press Conference April 30, 2018 Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

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USED CLOTHING SAGA East African Community (EAC) vs. the United States

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n a concrete effort to improve the livelihoods of her citizens and the region as a whole, the East African Community (EAC) decided in March 2016 to phase out imports of used clothing while boosting the local cotton and textile industry. The countries in this region, like many other African nations, import used clothing and shoes from mostly Western countries. In effect, African countries serve as the dumping ground of no-longer-needed clothing from the West.

In June 2017, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the initiation of an outof-cycle review of the eligibility of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda to receive benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).The launch of the review was in response to a petition filed by the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), which asserted that the decision by the East African Community, which includes Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, to phase in a ban on imports of used clothing and footwear imposed significant economic hardship on the used clothing industry in the United States. Through the

out-of-cycle review, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and traderelated agencies assessed the allegations contained within the SMART petition and reviewed whether Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are adhering to AGOA’s eligibility requirements. A public hearing was held in July 2017 in Washington, DC. This protocol is perceived by the EAC as intending to alter the

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behavior of African countries in favor of the economic interests of the United States, but at the expense of EAC countries. The United States argues that used clothing and new clothing can exist side by side, and therefore condemns the ban.

It cites an AGOA criteria about not putting in place bans or restrictions on U.S. products as well as alleged hardships to some forty

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We are doing away with secondhand clothes imports because we are now comfortable that the various types of garments can be made in the country at affordable prices. ­—Prime Minister Majaliwa

thousand people employed in the used clothing sector in the United States—mainly in small mom-andpop shops—who are allegedly losing their profits because of this ban that’s already in place.

However, EAC countries argue that continued importation of used clothing hurts the local textile industry. It saves the United States from having to properly dispose of these items at

a cost and instead use Africa as a dumping ground for used clothing.

Being an import, foreign exchange leaves a country’s shores and goes to an exporting country. The United States receives money from African states when they dump their used clothing in Africa. Tanzania and Uganda have insisted that the ban on used clothes—as agreed to by the regional heads of states last year stands, regardless of the outcome of the out-of-cycle review (AGOA).

Dar es Salaam and Kampala have indicated that they will not bow to pressure from any quarter at the expense of their local textile sectors. Recently, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that Tanzania would do away with used clothes as it pushes for new clothes made from textile mills in the country.

“We are doing away with secondhand clothes imports because we are now comfortable that the various types of garments can be made in the country at affordable prices. We will also use this to offer cotton farmers a reliable market. This is the way to go,” Mr. Majaliwa said, reinforcing the country’s position on the debate.

Kenya has retreated on this issue, probably because of the volume of trade between the United States and Kenya. It remains to be seen how other members of the EAC will act in the face of U.S. threats.

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TRUMP’S IMPACT ON U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS An Early Diagnosis of Trump’s Impact on U.S.-Africa Relations and on Sustainable Democracy in the United States and Africa Excerpts from African Perspectives; Global Insights, October 2017 Special Report

By John J. Stremlau

South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

United States– Africa Policy When Trump addressed the UN General Assembly on September 19, 2017, the attention he gave African nations—which comprise over onequarter of UN members—consisted of a two-sentence paragraph toward the end. One sentence praised UN-led peacekeeping missions for “invaluable contributions in stabilizing conflicts in Africa,” and the other praised the United States, which “continues to lead the world in humanitarian assistance, including famine prevention and relief in South Sudan, Somalia, and northern Nigeria and Yemen.” The next day Trump hosted a luncheon for the leaders of nine African countries— Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and South Africa. Only his welcoming remarks, which are nearly devoid of policy content or guidance, have been published.

His opening gambit was reminiscent of a nineteenthcentury colonialist hoping to turn a profit, as he proclaimed: “Africa has tremendous business potential, I have so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich.

I congratulate you, they’re spending a lot of money . . . It’s really become

a place they have to go, that they want to go.” He called on African companies to invest in the United States and then shifted to security cooperation, asking Africans to help defeat Islamist extremists and the threat from North Korea.

Trump proposed no new presidential initiatives for Africa, but at least he did not say those launched by his predecessors were a waste of money and would be ended.

Nor did he mention opposition to foreign assistance generally, or his renunciation of the Paris climate accord and refusal to fund the Green Climate Fund, so crucial for Africa’s adaptation to global warming.

A verbal flub, his calling Namibia “Nambia,” suggests he neither knows nor cares much about Africa.

Trump’s Actions Affecting Africa Of more immediate concern to African governments than the political and social undercurrents likely to strain U.S.–Africa relations during the Trump years is the fate of specific programs and partnerships that have been the mainstay of generally good relations since the end of the Cold War. These include cooperative initiatives aimed at promoting

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trade and investment, and building capacity for more rapid economic development. The United States has also championed efforts to advance and entrench good governance, democracy, and human rights. Other priorities have been improving public health and education, increasing agricultural productivity and resilience, developing alternative sources of energy, and, more recently, expanding efforts to help countries adapt to and mitigate the effects of global climate change. Small but extensive military assistance programs have been more controversial, during and after the Cold War. They have recently been justified as helping vulnerable African governments combat violent extremism and acts of terrorism.

Complicating efforts by African and all other governments seeking serious policy discussions and engagement with the Trump administration are the many unfilled senior positions.

Key people with the experience and authority to negotiate issues of international concern have yet to be appointed. Six months into the Trump presidency, fewer than 10 percent of 564 senior federal positions had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The situation at the U.S. Department of State is especially dire,

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where most senior posts were still vacant as of this writing. In addition, ambassadorial and other positions not included in the priority list of senior federal positions but that require Senate confirmation remain unfilled.

Although the deputy secretary of state was finally confirmed, none of the undersecretaries was confirmed or the key regional assistant secretaries—including for Africa— even nominated. The main exceptions in terms of Africa policy are the undersecretary for political affairs, Thomas Shannon, and the acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, Donald Yamamoto, both career foreign service officers.

U.S. embassies in Africa still have ambassadors, but they, too, are career foreign service officers and are receiving very little policy guidance from Washington. South Africa, like many others, remains without an ambassadorial candidate even nominated. And except for the U.S.permanent representative to the UN, Nikki Haley, all other U.S. ambassadorial posts to multilateral organizations of interest to Africa are unoccupied.

In a damning editorial on May 3, 2017, the New York Times forecast that the State Department would be without most senior staff until well into 2018.

This lack of capacity to seriously conduct international relations—and, apparently, of any real interest in doing so—marks a sharp break with the United States’ evolving global role since the Second World War. For African countries, the pressures to adjust may not be as urgent as for the United States’ key allies in Europe, or in Beijing or Moscow. However, securing the gains from and sustaining the United States’ extensive programs and partnerships in Africa pose important policy challenges for each country’s bilateral ties to the United States and for regional and pan-African strategies. Clues about how the Trump

administration might develop its Africa [Ugandan terrorist leader] for policy surfaced in a New York Times years; is it worth the effort? The report in January about a four-page list LRA [Kony’s Lord’s Resistance of Africa-related questions that was Army] never attacked U.S. circulating at the State Department interests; why do we care? and Pentagon. The list suggested The memo did not address the curtailment of development and Africa’s special trading relationship humanitarian commitments in favor with the United States under of pushing business opportunities. the highly favorable terms of the Although the report ascribed AGOA, a major concern of African authorship to unnamed members exporters of agricultural products and of the Trump transition team, U.S. manufactured goods (excluding oil embassy officials in South and other natural resources).

Africa said the list had Trump has not spoken been generated publicly about AGOA elsewhere. Its despite his frequent substance has not U.S. foreign complaints about been repudiated most other U.S. trade assistance now and is generally agreements and less than 2% of compatible with policies, which he flatly the tone and tenor federal budget disparages—without of Trump’s “America proof or context—as First” rhetoric and taking “unfair” advantage the draft budget he of a too-pliable United States. sent to Congress in early He promises these will all be March. Among the reported renegotiated in the spirit of “America questions were the following: First.” There was much speculation  How does U.S. business compete in the South African media about with other nations in Africa? Are Trump’s reneging on AGOA or his we losing out to the Chinese? trying to renegotiate terms more  With so much corruption in favorable to the United States.

Africa, how much of our funding South Africa, as Africa’s biggest is stolen? Why should we spend exporter of manufactured goods, these funds on Africa when we would be especially hard hit. are suffering here in the United Fortunately, AGOA was renewed States? for ten years in 2015 and enjoys  We’ve been fighting Al-Shabaab bipartisan congressional support. [a terrorist group operating Thus far, Trump has shown no in Somalia]; why haven’t we interest in challenging it. U.S. won? We’ve been hunting Kony proponents of AGOA also point to the 120,000 U.S. jobs that have resulted from expanded trade with Africa, a selling point U.S. proponents of with Trump. Similar support and AGOA also point to presidential silence apply so far to the 120,000 U.S. jobs the continuation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a George that have resulted from W. Bush initiative that has led to expanded trade with billions of dollars in investments in partnership compacts with African Africa governments linked to obligations to greater government transparency and democratic accountability.

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U.S. Issues Visa Bans on African Nations That Refuse to Accept Deportees

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n September 13, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued certain visa bans on three African nations that failed to accept deported nationals. U.S. embassies in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Eritrea ceased to process certain visas because these countries “denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the U.S.,� according to acting Secretary for Homeland Security, Elaine Duke. While the visa sanctions varied in category and application for each country, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could impose the sanctions more broadly if countries refuse to comply with removal orders.

Homeland security stated that the four countries listed, which also included Cambodia, had breached international law by neglecting to produce travel documents to ensure the safe return of deported nationals, but immigration experts condemned

the move and criticized the U.S. government for demanding travel documents from diplomatic missions in the United States, who had nothing to do with the travel of their nationals to the United States in the first place. These experts argued that it is not the responsibility of African embassies to confirm the nationality of individuals for deportation purposes, rather it is the responsibility of the U.S. government.

This issue remains contentious between the State Department and African embassies in Washington, and is expected to play out in 2018, unless a reasonable agreement is arrived at.

The State Department traditionally has been reluctant to impose visa sanctions because affected countries often retaliate through reciprocal restrictions on U.S. citizens and officials. The measures have only been imposed twice before, against Guyana and Gambia.

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FOOD SECURITY AND IMPORTATION

Why is Africa Importing $35 Billion in Food Annually?

Africa’s annual food import bill of $35 billion, estimated to rise to $110 billion by 2025, weakens African economies, decimates its agriculture and exports jobs from the continent. ­—Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank

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kinwumi Adesina also touched on recent drought and famine facing some countries (South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda). He said the situation called for swift action, as 20 million face food insecurity and severe malnutrition. “The Bank is taking action and is planning to deploy $1.1 billion, following Board approval, to address the crisis and ensure that drought does not lead to famine,” he further disclosed.

Other areas where the bank was looking to improve in order to advance the continent’s economic potential included the power sector. He described low access to electricity as “Africa’s growth decelerator.”

The African Development Bank (AfDB) was also looking at the area of

women empowerment in the financial sector through its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA).

They were also looking to cure rising youth unemployment and to equip small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB, says his outfit has achieved major milestones in this year alone but a lot more needed to be done to improve the continent’s economic fortunes.

Top of the AfDB’s proposals on how to “fast-track” Africa’s economic potential is to improve the power sector and to turn to agriculture. The AfDB believes that the continent must break the food import chain and aim for self-sufficiency in food production within the shortest possible time.

Adesina, a former Nigerian agricultural minister, was speaking at

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the Center for Global Development event held in Washington, DC. He lamented the negative effects that huge food imports have had on the continent.

“Africa’s annual food import bill of $35 billion, estimated to rise to $110 billion by 2025, weakens African economies, decimates its agriculture and exports jobs from the continent.

Africa’s annual food import bill of $35 billion is just about the same amount it needs to close its power deficit.

“To rapidly support Africa to diversify its economies, and revive its rural areas, we have prioritized agriculture. We are taking action.

The Bank has committed $24 billion towards agriculture in the next 10 years, with a sharp focus on food self-sufficiency and agricultural industrialization,” he added.

The High 5s—the AfDB’s Vision for Africa According to Adesina, the bank’s vision bordered on five main areas, the High 5s: 1. Light up and power Africa 2. Feed Africa 3. Industrialize Africa 4. Integrate Africa 5. Improve the quality of life of Africans “An independent analysis of these High 5s by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has shown that if Africa focuses on these High 5s, it will achieve about 90 percent of its SDGs and 90 percent of its Agenda 2063. In short: The High 5s are the accelerators for Africa’s development. “They bring the future to the present and make life worth living now for hundreds of millions of Africans. For we must not postpone all good things for Africa into the future.

Africa’s future is now,” he stressed.

NAACP AND THE AFRICAAMERICA INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE Historic Partnership Will Showcase Excellence from the Diaspora and Provide Curriculum That Celebrates the Great Civilizations of Africa

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asadena, CA (January 15, 2018).

On Monday, January 15, 2018, the holiday marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Africa-America Institute (AAI) announced a ground-breaking partnership during the 49th NAACP Image Awards.

The NAACP will work with the AAI on the development and distribution of a curriculum designed to highlight the accomplishments, achievements, and history of Africa and its diaspora.

“It’s appropriate that on a day that we honor Dr. King and promote positive images of people of color, we announce to the world a partnership that creates a center of gravity for African Americans and all peoples of African descent in the Diaspora, with a heightened sense of civic engagement,”said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “AAI has a long history of academic exchange and educational meetings between Africa and America. Now is an extraordinary time and opportunity to partner with the NAACP and together connect the more than 42 million Afrodescendants with the brilliance of the African history and its contribution to

modern civilization,” added Kofi Appenteng, president of the AAI. The curriculum from the NAACP/AAI Alliance will include content such as Africa’s Great Civilizations, the critically acclaimed series by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Partners and NAACP chapters will benefit from organized screenings and lessons with an early education focus on positive identity formation and a more advanced curriculum that includes studies in social sciences. A campaign kickoff will take place in February 2018 as part of Black History Month.

About the NAACP Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities.

About the Africa America Institute (AAI) The AAI is the premier U.S.-based international organization that works to increase the capacity of African individuals and institutions through higher education initiatives, leadership development, professional workforce training, convening activities, program implementation, and management.

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HONORARY CONSUL The role of honorary consuls is sanctioned under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Protocols. All United Nations member nations are signers to the treaty.

Honorary consuls are usually appointed by merit and undergo thorough vetting processes. They are rarely compensated for their duties like career diplomats, and they possess limited authorization to act and conduct business. They also do not have to be natives of the countries they represent.

Honorary consuls generally protect the interests of these nations; promote bilateral relations; develop commercial, economic, cultural, and scientific relations; facilitate the issuance of travel documentation and other consular services on behalf of the sending

Honorable Grant Gochin, CFP, MBA, Representing the Republic of Togo

state; and conduct other business as delegated by the embassies or governments they represent.

The Honorable Grant Arthur Gochin is an extraordinary fit for his current position, one he has held since April 2009. Not only is he efficient in the delivery of consular services, but he is also pragmatic, results-oriented, and genuinely seeks to impact U.S.–Togo relations and make a difference in the lives of members of his constituency.

Serving under the auspices of the Togolese Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Togolese Foreign Ministry, Honorable Gochin supports Togolese citizens on the West Coast, conducts local diplomatic outreaches, and promotes bilateral cooperation, tourism, and information about Togo. Additionally, he responds to direct requests of support from the Embassy of Togo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also supports visiting members of the African Union in promoting the African continent in the United States.

“I am extensively involved in the African communities’ resident in the United States. I provide awareness and education to Americans on African affairs,” said Grant.

During his tenure, he has sought to connect the harbor of Lome, in Togo, to American harbors, in sister-ports relationships. He has also facilitated sister-city connections and arranged medical missions to West Africa.

Honorable Gochin sees no serious threats for his constituency.

According to him, “every challenge is just an opportunity. There is nobody on earth without

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To succeed in life, one needs a vision of what that success is.

No path is ever even or predictable, but planning a path, and working at it relentlessly is most of the battle achieved. Africa is a rising force, by working cooperatively, positively, with a vision of a brighter future, we will make it happen. ­—Honorable Grant Gochin

challenges; it is how we address them that counts.”

Honorable Grant Gochin is South African-born. On the issue of language barriers that some Togolese nationals face in the United States, he said, “We come to America to become Americans, and so we need to assimilate into our adopted culture. English is a fundamental aspect of that.” He is a certified financial planner with over twenty years’ experience in the financial services industry.

He is also the president of Grant Arthur and Associates Wealth Services, LLC, in Woodland Hills, California. He is the proud author of Malice, Murder, and Manipulation: One Man’s Quest for Truth, published in 2013.

Honorable Gochin also serves as the vice dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps.

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Ambassador Donald Yamamoto

The Trump Administration’s overall goal is to broaden and deepen the relationship between the United States and Africa.

Last September, he hosted a luncheon at the United Nations General Assembly with several African leaders. Energy Secretary Perry was in South Africa last October, while UN Ambassador Nikki Haley traveled to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We hosted the Ministerial on trade, security, and governance, for 37 foreign ministers from across the continent, including the Maghreb, as well as sub-Saharan Africa, and held our annual African Union–U.S. High Level Dialogue.

We want to look at Africa in the 2100s and 2050s.

Africa is going to really transform and change. It’s going to be a continent of 2.2 billion people; that’s going to be the most populous continent on earth.

You are going to have a manufacturing output that is going to double from the current $500 billion to over $1 trillion. More important is that 25 percent of the world’s labor force is going to be African.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

We want to be right there with our African partners to develop and really work with Africa, to see how we can not only develop the relationship, but also address the needs of the people of Africa.

Lake Chad

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WINTERNATIONAL

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international is an exciting annual celebration showcasing the cultural and culinary traditions of Washington’s diplomatic community.

On December 6, 2017, thirty-nine foreign embassies, including the African Union Mission and the embassies of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Morocco, participated in the sixth annual Winternational Embassy Showcase at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Winternational is a celebration of international culture and culinary traditions of Washington’s diplomatic community.

Over three thousand guests attended the exciting celebration. This festival has the atmosphere of a bustling global marketplace, with each embassy promoting their country through vibrant displays of visual art, food, handcrafts, as well as travel and tourism exhibits. The event was free and open to the public, and guests had the opportunity to travel the world and do some holiday shopping

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Photo courtesy of George Bright, The Afrikan Post

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Southern Africa

Botswana at Winternational

Southern African Development Community (SADC) SADC is an intergovernmental organization working to advance socioeconomic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among fifteen southern African states. Combined exports to the United States in 2012 were worth $20 billion, down sharply from the previous year but broadly in line with 2010 figures. Given fluctuations in the value of Angola’s oil exports under AGOA, not too much should be read into this figure more broadly in the SADC context. Major export categories include minerals and metals and transportation equipment—mainly motor vehicles from South Africa.t SADC House, Plot No. 54385, Central Business District, Private Bag 0095 Gaborone, Botswana Telephone: +267 395 1863 Fax: +267 397 2848 +267 318 1070 www.sadc.int

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Photo courtesy of George Bright, The Afrikan Post

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Western Africa

Ghana at Winternational

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ECOWAS is a regional group of fifteen West African countries working to promote economic integration across the West African subregion.

During President Obama’s historic U.S.–Africa Leaders Summit in August 2014, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced that the United States had signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with ECOWAS. TIFA will provide a mechanism for expanding trade and investment both between the United States and the fifteen ECOWAS member states, and across the entire ECOWAS region.

101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Abuja, Nigeria www.ecowas.int

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Photo courtesy of George Bright, The Afrikan Post

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Eastern Africa

Kenya at Winternational

East African Community (EAC) The EAC is an intergovernmental organization composed of five countries in the African Great Lakes region in eastern Africa. The EAC is one of the leading regional economic organizations in sub-Saharan Africa and has made great strides in recent years toward integrating the economies of its member states. It has established a free trade area and a customs union and is working toward a common market.

EAC Close Afrika Mashariki Road P.O. Box 1096 Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100 | Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190 Email: eac@eachq.org www.eac.int

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Northern Africa

Morocco at Winternational

Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) The AMU is a trade agreement aiming for economic and future political unity among Arab countries of the Maghreb in North Africa. Its members are the nations of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia.

73, Rue Tensift Agdal Rabat—Morocco Tel.: +212 537 6813 71/72/73/74 | Fax: +212 537 681 377 www.maghrebarabe.org/en Sg.uma@maghrebarabe.org

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Eastern and Southern Africa Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) COMESA is a free trade area with twenty member states stretching from Libya to Swaziland. COMESA is one of the pillars of the African Economic Community.

COMESA Centre Ben Bella Road, P. O. Box 30051, Lusaka—Zambia +260 211 229725 / +260 211 225107 info@comesa.int | www.comesa.int

Central Africa Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) ECCAS is the economic community of the African Union, promoting regional economic cooperation in Central Africa. It aims to achieve collective autonomy, raise the standard of living of its populations, and maintain economic stability through harmonious cooperation.

Haut de Guégué, BP: 2112, Libreville, Gabon + (241) 01 44 47 31 + (241) 01 44 47 32 contact@ceeac-eccas.org www.ceeac-eccas.org

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AFRICAN DIPLOMATIC CORPS The African Ambassadors’ Group (AAG) to the United States is a collaborative coalition of African heads of missions in Washington, DC. The current dean is H.E. Serge Mombouli, ambassador of the Republic of Congo. He is also the dean of the Central Africa region.

Regional deans provide leadership on regional matters for the other diplomatic missions in Washington.

REGIONAL DEANS

H.E. MADJID BOUGERRA Algeria (Northern)

H.E. PROF ELIACHIM SEBATANE Lesotho (Southern)

H.E. BOCKARI KORTU ­STEVENS Sierra Leone (Western)

H.E. ROBINSON NJERU GITHAE Kenya (Eastern)

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NEW IN WASHINGTON His Excellency Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, the nineteenth ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the United States of America, presented his credentials to President Donald John Trump on July 21, 2017. This is his second ambassadorial appointment after having served as ambassador of Ghana to Japan with concurrent accreditation to Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea from 2001 to 2008.

His Excellency Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah (Republic of Ghana)

Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui is Morocco’s first female ambassador to the United States.

After recently completing her tenure as ambassador to the United Kingdom, King Mohammed VI appointed her to represent Morocco in Washington. She was sworn in on October 13, 2016, and presented her credentials to President Donald Trump on April 24, 2017.

Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui (Kingdom of Morocco)

Frédéric Edem Hegbe was appointed on January 19, 2017, by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé. He presented his credentials to President Donald Trump on April 24, 2017, and used the occasion to express his country’s desire to continue working with the U.S. Ambassador Hegbe is not new to Washington; he lived and worked in Washington for about two decades before returning home for this appointment.

His Excellency Frédéric Edem Hegbe (Republic of Togo)

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His Excellency Kassa Tekleberhan Gebrehiwot served his government for more than thirty-five years in various capacities. Prior to his ambassadorial appointment, he served as Minister of Federal Affairs and Pastoral Areas Development. He is also a former Speaker of the House of Federation. He presented his letters of credence to President Trump on January 24, 2018.

His Excellency Kassa Tekleberhan Gebrehiwot (Republic of Ethiopia)

His Excellency Dawda Docka Fadera is a Gambian civil servant and the immediate past secretary general and head of the Gambian Civil Service. He worked in the Personnel Management Office (PMO), part of the office of the president, for the bulk of his civil service career, rising to become permanent secretary.

His Excellency Dawda D. Fadera (Republic of the Gambia)

His Excellency Eric Andriamihajamananirina Robson of Madagascar presented his credentials to President Trump on March 28, 2018. Prior to his assignment in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Robson was the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM). He joined the EDBM in 2007. Before joining the EDBM, he worked in Europe and the United States, in Business Development and International Marketing. He is a former lecturer at the University of Antananarivo and other private Universities in Antananarivo. Ambassador Robson studied Business Administration and International Marketing in the United States. He is fluent in French, Malagasy, and English.

His Excellency Eric A. Robson (Republic of Madagascar)

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His Excellency Kerfalla Yansané is the 21st ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the United States. He presented his letters of credence to President Trump on January 24, 2018. Ambassador Yansané’s professional background is international finance. He is a former governor of the Central Bank of Guinea, under the Second Republic, and two-time former Finance Minister, first in the transitional government of Prime Minister Jean Marie Doré and then under President Alpha Condé.

His Excellency Kerfalla Yansané (Republic of Guinea)

His Excellency Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor assumed the office of Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States on November 13, 2017. He is a retired justice from Nigeria’s Court of Appeal. He graduated from Holborn College of Law in 1962 and earned a Master of Laws degree (LLM) from the London School of Economics in 1964.

His Excellency Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor (Federal Republic of Nigeria)

His Excellency Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula is the sixteenth ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the United States of America since November 30, 2017. He is also concurrently accredited on a nonresidential basis to Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, Haiti, Guatemala, and Honduras. Before taking his appointment, Ambassador Simbyakula served as a member of parliament (2011–2016), deputy minister of justice, and later cabinet minister for Home Affairs. In 2015, President Edgar Lungu appointed him minister of justice, a position he held until 2016.

His Excellency Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula (Republic of Zambia)

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On October 16, 2016, King Mswati III appointed Njabuliso Gwebu as Swaziland’s ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Gwebu presented her credentials to President Donald Trump on April 24, 2017. Swaziland in southern Africa is slightly larger than Connecticut. It is the last absolute monarchy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Among other previous positions held, Ambassador Gwebu was also permanent delegate to the UN Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 2014 to 2016.

Her Excellency Njabuliso Busisiwe Sikhulile Gwebu (Kingdom of Swaziland)

His Excellency Mamadou Haïdara presented his letters of credence to President Trump on March 28, 2018.

His is the former trade advisor and director of the Economic Bureau at the Côte d’Ivoire Embassy in the United States. He also held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Ivorian Works Company (Sonitra).

His Excellency Mamadou Haïdara (Republic of Côte d’Ivoire)

Her Excellency Lois Cheche Lewis Brutus presented her Letters of Credence to President Donald Trump on November 29, 2017. She is a former president of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and most recently, served as Liberia’s Ambassador to South Africa. Ambassador Brutus previously worked with the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL).

She is a veteran of the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs having worked there for over two decades, rising through the ranks from a cadet to Senior Legal Counsel.

Her Excellency Lois Lewis Brutus (Republic of Liberia)

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AFRICAN EMBASSIES/ AMBASSADORS DIRECTORY ALGERIA 2118 Kalorama Rd NW Washington, DC 20008 202-265-2800 Ambassador Madjid Bouguerra

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 2704 Ontario Rd NW Washington, DC 20009 202-483-7800 Chargé Lydie Magba

ANGOLA 2100 16th St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-785-1156 Ambassador Agostinho Tavares da Silva Neto

CHAD 2401 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-652-1312 Chargé Tchinjombe Patchanne Papouri

BENIN 2124 Kalorama Rd NW Washington, DC 20008 202-232-6656 Ambassador Hector Posset

COMOROS 866 United Nations Plaza New York NY 10017 212-750-1637 Ambassador Mohamed Soilih Mohamed Soilih

BOTSWANA 1531 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 244-4990 Ambassador David John Newman

CONGO (REPUBLIC OF) 1720 16th St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-726-5500 Ambassador Serge Mombouli

BURKINA FASO 2340 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-332-5577 Ambassador Seydou Kabore

COTE D’IVOIRE 2424 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-797-0300 Ambassador Haïdara Mamadou

BURUNDI 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, #408 Washington, DC 20007 202-342-2574 Chargé d’affaires Mr Benjamin Manirakiza

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 1100 Connecticut Ave NW, #725 Washington, DC 20036 202-234-7690 Ambassador François Nkuna Balumuene

CAMEROON 3007 Tilden St NW Washington, DC 20008 202-265-8790 Ambassador Étoundi Essomba

DJIBOUTI 1156 15th St NW, #515 Washington, DC 20005 202-331-0270 Ambassador Siad Mohamed Doualeh

CAPE VERDE 3415 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20007 202-965-6820 Ambassador Carlos Wahnon Veiga

EGYPT 3521 International Ct NW Washington, DC 20008 202 895 5400 Ambassador Yasser Reda

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EQUATORIAL GUINEA 2020 16th St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-518-5700 Ambassador Miguel Ntutumu Evuna Andeme ERITREA 1708 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 202-319-1991 Chargé Berhane Solomon ETHIOPIA 3506 International Dr NW Washington, DC 20008 202-364-1200 Ambassador Kassa Tekleberhan Gebrehiwot GABON 2034 20th St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-797-1000 Ambassador Michael Moussa-Adamo GAMBIA 5630 16th St NW Washington, DC 20011 202-785-1379 Ambassador Dawda D. Fadera GHANA 3512 International Dr NW Washington, DC 20008 202-686-4520 Ambassador Dr. Barfour Adjei-Barwuah GUINEA 2112 Leroy Pl NW Washington, DC 20008 202-986-4300 Ambassador Kerfalla Yansane (Jan) KENYA 2249 R St NW Washington, DC 20008 202-387-6101 Ambassador Robinson Njeru Githae

LESOTHO 2511 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-797-5533 Ambassador Prof. Eliachim Molapi Sebatane

MOZAMBIQUE 1525 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20036 202-293-7146 Ambassador Carlos Dos Santos

SOUTH AFRICA 3051 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-232-4400 Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu

NAMIBIA 1605 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 202-986-0540 Chargé Helena Gray

SOUTH SUDAN 1015 31st St NW, #300 Washington, DC 20007 202-293-7940 Ambassador Garang Diing

LIBYA 1460 Dahlia St NW Washington, DC 20012 202-944-9601 Ambassador Wafa Bughaighis

NIGER 2204 R St NW Washington, DC 20008 202-483-4224 Ambassador Professor Hassana Alidou

SUDAN 2210 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-338-8565 Ambassador Maowia Osman Khalid Mohammed

MADAGASCAR 2374 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-265-5525 Ambassador Eric Andriamihajamananirina Robson

NIGERIA 3519 International Ct NW Washington, DC 20008 202-516-4277 Ambassador Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor

SWAZILAND 1712 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 202-234-5002 Ambassador Njabuliso Gwebu

MALAWI 2408 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-721-0270 Ambassador Edward Yakobe Sawerengera

RWANDA 1875 Connecticut Ave NW, #540 Washington, DC 20009 202-232-2882 Ambassador Professor Mathilde Mukantabana

MALI 2130 R St NW Washington, DC 20008 202-332-2249 Chargé Ibrahim Biridigo

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE 1211 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036

TOGO 2208 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 202-234-4212 Ambassador Frédéric Hegbe

SENEGAL 2215 M St NW Washington, DC 20037 202-234-0540 Ambassador Babacar Diagne

TUNISIA 1515 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20005 202-862-1850 Ambassador Fayçal Gouiaa

SEYCHELLES 685 3rd Avenue, Ste 1107 New York, NY 10017 212-972-1785 Ambassador Ronald Jumeau

UGANDA 5911 16th St NW Washington, DC 20011 202-726-7100 Ambassador Mull Sebujja Katende

SIERRA LEONE 1701 19th St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-939-9261 Ambassador Bockari K Stevens

ZAMBIA 2200 R St NW Washington, DC 20008 202-234-4111 Ambassador Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula

SOMALIA 1705 Desales St NW Washington, DC 20036 202-296-0570 Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad

ZIMBABWE 1608 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20009 202-332-7100 Ambassador Ammon. M. Mutembwa

LIBERIA 5201 16th St NW Washington, DC 20011 202-723-0437 Ambassador Lois Cheche Brutus

MAURITANIA 2129 Leroy Pl NW Washington, DC 20008 202-232-5700 Ambassador Mohamedoun Daddah MAURITIUS 1709 N St NW Washington, DC 20036 202-244-1491 Ambassador S. Phokeer MOROCCO 1601 21st St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-462-7979 Ambassador Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala

TANZANIA 1232 22nd St NW Washington, DC 20037 202-939-6125 Ambassador Wilson Masilingi

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NATIONAL INVESTMENT ORGANIZATIONS: OFFICIAL INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES OF AFRICAN UNION MEMBER STATES People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria ANDI, Route Nationale No 5 Cinq Maisons Mohammadia Algiers, Algeria T: +213 (0)21 52 20 15 E: sg@andi.dz www.andi.dz/en

Republic of Angola

Agencia Nacional para o Investimento Privado T: 001 202 962 0380 E: hcosta@anip-us.org www.anip-angola-us.org

Republic of Benin

Centre de Promotion des Investissements du Benin Cotonou 01 BP 2022 T: +229 21 30 30 62 E: cpibenin@yahoo.fr

Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry 01 BP 31 Cotonou, Republique du Bénin T: (229) 21 31 43 86 E: info.ccib@ccibenin.org www.ccibenin.org

UK Office Consulate of Benin Millennium Business Centre Humber Road London, NW2 6DW United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 8830 8612 E: beninconsulate@hotmail.co.uk www.beninconsulate.co.uk

US Office 2124 Kalorama Road NW Washington, DC, 20008 United States T: 202 232 6656 E: info@beninembassy.us www.beninembassy.us

Republic of Botswana

Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) Plot 28 Matsitama Road PO Box 3122 Gaborone, Botswana T: +267 318 1931 E: bedia@bedia.bw

South Africa office RSA 88 Stella Street 3rd Floor Building 2 Sandown Me ws PO Box 781371 Sandton, South Africa T: +2711 884 8959 E: mogaral@bedia.co.za

UK office Montle Phuthego 6 Stratford Place London, W1C 1AY United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 7499 0031 E: montle@bedia.co.uk

India office No 43 Maker Chamber VI Nariman Point Mumbai 400 021 India T: +91 2243 602100 E: monangeno@bedia.co.in www.bedia.co.bw

Burkina Faso

Office National de Commerce Extérieur Direction de la Normalisation et de la Promotion de la Qualité Immeuble APEX – Burkina (ex ONAC) 30 Avenue de l’UEMOA BP 389 BF-Ouagadougou 01 T: (+226) 50 31 13 00 E: secretariat.onac@gmail.com www.iso.org

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Republic of Burundi

API – Agence Burundaise de Promotion des Investissements 3 Salah, Salem Road Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt T: (+202) 2405 5428 E: info@comesaria.org www.comesaria.org

Republic of Cape Verde

Palácio das Comunidades Palace of Communities Achada Santo António Beach CP 237 Cape Verde T: +2607911 E: info.ic@ic.gov.cv www.ie.ic.cv

Central African Republic

Ministère de l’Economie, du Plan et de la Coopération Internationale Rue Luther King, Bangui, Central African Republic BP 696 T: +236 21 61 78 11 / +236 75 57 E: info@minplan-rca.org

Republic of Chad

Ministère du Commerce et de l’Artisanat Palais du Gouvernement PO Box 4546 N’Djaména, Chad T: +235 52 21 99 Division de l’Industrie T: +235 52 21 79 / +235 52 27 33 Direction du Commerce T: +235 52 30 49 E: chad@wto.refcen.org www.primature-tchad.org

Republic of Cameroon

Cellule de Gestion du Code des Investissements (CGCI) BP 15304 Douala, Cameroon T: (+237) 342 5946 E: cgci2000@yahoo.com

Union of the Comoros

Comoros National Investment Promotion Agency T: +269 77 38 570 E: investcomoros@comorostelecom.km www.comesaria.org

Republic of the Congo

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of the Republic of Congo BP 2070 Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo T: 00242 814160 / 00242 814161 / 00242 814162

Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire 5ème Étage Immeuble CCIA Boîte Postale 152 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire T: +225 20 21 40 70 E: info@cepici.go.ci www.cepici.gouv.ci

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements Avenue Colonel Ebeya, No 54 2nd Floor Immeuble de la Reconstruction (ex-Sozabanque) Kinshasa / Gombe Democratic Republic of the Congo T: +243 99 99 25 026 E: anapirdc@anapi.org www.anapi.org

Republic of Djibouti Invest in Djibouti

Rue de Marseille 1884 Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti T: +253 31 21 02 E: anpi@intnet.dj www.djiboutinvest.dj

Arab Republic of Egypt

General Authority for Investment in Egypt (GAFI) T: +202 2405 5452 E: investorcare@gafinet.org www.gafinet.org

State of Eritrea

Department of Foreign Trade Ministry of Trade and Industry PO Box 1844 Asmara, Eritrea T: +291 12 66 94

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopian Investment Agency PO Box 2313 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T: +251 11 5510033 E: ethiopian.invest@ethioinvest.org www.ethioinvest.org

Gabonese Republic

Finatra – La Financière Transafricaine Bord de Mer BP 8645 Libreville, Gabonese Republic T: +241 77 40 82 E: finatra@bgfi.com www.bgfi.com

APIP – Agence de Promotion des Investissements Privés Boulevard du Bord de Mer BP 13740 Libreville, Gabonese Republic T: +241 76 87 65 www.gabon.golden-trade.com/cnt/gt

Republic of the Gambia

The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency GEIPA House 48a Kairaba Avenue Serrekunda, KMC PO Box 757 Banjul, The Gambia T: +220 4377377 E: info@giepa.gm www.gipfza.gm

Republic of Ghana

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Public Services Commission Building Ministries Accra, Ghana T: +233 302 665 125 E: info@gipcghana.com www.gipcghana.com

Republic of Guinea

Guinea Private Investment Promotion Office – OPIP T: +224 41 49 85

Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Ministry of Economy and Finance Private Investment Promotion Office Rua Justino Lopes 74a Bissau CP 67 T: +245 20 36 70 / +245 25 48 07

Fodex – Fonds de Dévelopment et d’Expansion des Pme-Pmi Route de l’Aéroport BP 3896 Libreville, Gabonese Republic T: +241 44 42 30

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Republic of Kenya

Kenya Investment Authority Kenya Railways Headquarters Block D, 4th Floor Workshop Road PO Box 55704-00200 City Square Nairobi, Kenya T: +254 (20) 2221 4014 E: info@investmentkenya.com www.investmentkenya.com

Kingdom of Lesotho

Lesotho National Development Corporation LNDC Headquarters Block A, Development House Kingsway Street Maseru, Lesotho, 100 T: +266 22312012 / +266 52000214 E: info@lndc.org.ls / ce@lndc.org.ls www.lndc.org.ls

Republic of Liberia

National Investment Commission Airfield, New Road Chesseman Avenue Sinkor, Monrovia Liberia T: +231 77 333 222 / 78 73001 E: info@nic.gov.lr www.nic.gov.lr

Libya

LIDC Tripoli Tower 9th Floor Office No 99 Tripoli, Libya T: 00 2 1821 335 1034 www.libyainvestment.com

Republic of Madagascar

Economic Development Board of Madagascar Immeuble EDBM Avenue Gal Gabriel Ramanantsoa Antaninarenina Antananarivo, Madagascar T: +261 20 22 670 40 / 681 21 E: edbm@edbm.gov.mg www.edbm.gov/mg

Republic of Malawi

Malawi Investment Promotion Agency Aquarius House 1st Floor Private bag 302 Capital City, Lilongwe 3 Malawi T: +265 1 770 800 / 771 315 E: mipa@mipamw.org www.malawi-invest.net

Mali

Agence Pour la Promotion des Investissements au Mali Quartier du Fleuve BP 1980 Bamako République du Mali T: +223 20 22 95 25 E: contact@apimali.gov.ml www.apimail.gov.ml/api/en

Republic of Mauritania

http://www.economie.gov/mr

Republic of Mauritius Board of Investment 10th Floor

One Cathedral Square Building 16 Jules Koenig Street Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius T: +230 203 3800 E: contact@investmauritius.com

Republic of Mozambique Rua da Imprensa 332 R/C Maputo, Mozambique T: +258 21313310 www.moznusiness.gov.mz

Republic of Namibia

Namibia Investment Centre Ministry of Trade and Industry Block B, Brendan Simbwaye Square Goethe Street Private Bag 13340 Windhoek, Namibia T: +264 61 283 7335 E: nic@mti.gov.na www.mti.gov.na

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Republic of Niger

La Commission des Affaires Étrangères de la Coopération Place de la Concertation BP 12234 Niamey, Niger T: +227 20 72 27 38 E: an@assemblee.ne www.assemblee.ne

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Plot 1181 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama District PMB 381 Garki Abuja, Nigeria T: +234 290 4882 E: osicinfodesk@nipc.gov/ng

Republic of Rwanda

Rwanda Development Board Boulevard de l’Umuganda Gishushu, Nyarutarama Road PO Box 6239 Kigali, Rwanda T: +250 252 580 388 E: info@rdb.rw www.rdb.rw

Republic of Senegal

52-54 Rue Mohamed V BP 430 CP 18524 Dakar RP, Senegal T: +221 33 849 05 55 E: contact@apix.sn www.investinsenegal.com

Republic of Seychelles

Seychelles Investment Bureau Caravelle House 2nd Floor Manglier Street PO Box 1167 Victoria, Mahe Republic of Seychelles T: +248 295500 / 295502 E: sib@seychelles.sc www.investinseychelles.sc

Republic of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency O.A.U. Drive Tower Hill Freetown, Sierra Leone T: +232 22 220788 E: infor@sliepa.org www.investsierraleone.biz

Somali Republic

Somali Business and Investment Council Cinwaanka Golaha Djibouti City PO Box 2693 Republic of Djibouti T: +253 35 46 48 E: info@somaliinvestment.com www.somaliinvestment.com

Republic of South Africa

Department of Trade and Industry 77 Meintjies Street Sunnyside, Pretoria Gauteng 0002 South Africa T: +27 (12) 394 9500 E: contactus@thedti.gov.za www.thedti.gov.za

Republic of Sudan

Ministry of Investment Khartoum – West Hilton T: +249 787193 E: investment@sudanmail.net www.sudaninvest.org

Kingdom of Swaziland

Swaziland Investment Promotions Authority 1st Floor Nkhotfotjeni Buliding Cnr Msakato & Dezeliwe Street Mbabane, Swaziland T: +268 2404 0470/2/3/4 www.sipa.org.sz

United Republic of Tanzania Tanzania Investment Centre TIC House Shabaan Rober Street PO Box 938 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania www.tic.co.tz

Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority PO Box 2286 Zanzibar T: +255 (0) 24 223 3026 E: zipa@zanzinet.com www.zanzibarinvest.org

Togolese Republic

Sociéte d’Administration des Zones Franches 2564 Avenue de la Chance BP 3250 Lome, Togo T: +228 253 53 69 E: n.potcho@zonefranchetogo.tg

Tunisian Republic

Foreign Investment Promotion Agency Rue Slaheddine El Ammami Centre Urbain Nord 1004 Tunis, Tunisia T: +216 71 752 540 E: boc.fipa@mdci.gov.tn www.investintunisia.tn

Republic of Uganda

Uganda Investment Authority The Investment Centre Plot 22B Lumumba Avenue TWED Plaza PO Box 7418 Kampala, Uganda T: +256 414 301000 E: info@ugandainvest.go.ug www.ugandainvest.go.ug

Republic of Zambia

Zambia Development Agency Privatization House Nasser Road PO Box 30819 Lusaka, Zambia T: +260 211 222 858 E: info@zda.org.zm www.zda.org.zm

Republic of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Investment Authority Investment House 109 Rotten Row PO Box 5950 Harare, Zimbabwe T: +263 4757 E: info@zia.co.zw www.zia.co.zw

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT AU Mission, Washington, DC Staff

H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao Permanent Representative to the United States

Adewale Ogunsuyi

Gilles Makon

Administrative and Finance Officer

IT Assistant

Maureen Nkandu

Collins Rusingiza

Senior Communications Officer

Procurement Officer

Seraphine Manirambona

Golmame Tefera

Policy Officer

Security/Protocol

Miriam Menda

Siaka Togola

Administrative Officer

Intern

Josepha M. Musabyemariya

Amina Bukasa

Secretary

Intern

Frederick Nnoma-Addison

Managing Editor, Invest in Africa President & CEO, AMIP News

Beryl Nnoma-Addison

Content Editor, Invest in Africa Vice President, AMIP News

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Invest in Africa is distributed to African Heads of State, government ministers, and dignitaries from 55 AU member countries at all AU summits.

The publication is subsequently delivered throughout the African diaspora community within the United States, via African embassies in Washington, DC, to political, financial, and corporate leaders worldwide, as well as at leading continental and foreign direct investment conferences and seminars globally.

To advertise in this magazine contact AMIP News via phone, email, or regular mail.

+ 1 (202) 460 3912 (US) + 1 (202) 460 3906 (US)

fna@afroimagetv.org bna@afroimagetv.org

www.amipnewsonline.org

PO Box 1090 Washington, DC 20013