DALLAS—The City of Dallas is set to host the prestigious 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) from May 6 to 9, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD), showcasing the city's commitment to fostering global economic partnerships.
The Summit promises to be a dynamic gathering, bringing together over 1,500 distinguished leaders from both the United States and Africa, spanning the public and private sectors. Among the attendees will be African Heads of State, international investors, senior government officials from the U.S. and Africa, Fortune 500 executives, leading small businesses, and key stakeholders from multilateral organizations.
“Dallas is honored to host the 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Hosting this important event is a testament to the success of Dallas as an internationally recognized leader in business, culture, and entertainment,” said Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “As the headquarters of eleven Fortune 500 Companies and home to two world-class airports, Dallas is the perfect location for this Summit. Through this Summit, Dallas will continue to attract international tourists and build relationships with foreign governments and global investors.”
Dallas/Fort Worth also has deep ties to Africa with the following noteworthy statistics:
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Africa's GDP has been growing at an average rate of 3.3% per year, surpassing the global average. The continent is home to six of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world, offering immense business opportunities.
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Total exports and imports between the African continent and DFW were $324,000,000 in 2023.
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North Texas is home to some of the largest African diasporas with the largest Igbo community (from Nigeria) in North America, as well as migrants from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, among others.
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Africa has a rapidly growing middle class, with consumer spending expected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025.
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With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in 2021, a single market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion was created and growing.
"The 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit represents a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the United States and Africa,” said Florizelle Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). “This gathering will facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration, ultimately advancing mutual prosperity and sustainable development."
“This will be the first time the Summit is being held in the United States since 2017, and the first one held outside Washington in the U.S. in 12 years," said John Olajide, Founder and CEO of Dallas-based Axxess, and Chair of the Corporate Council on Africa. “Dallas has more Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies than many major U.S. Cities, and we want to bring the best of Africa and have them engage to find new opportunities to work together.”
Four distinguished African Heads of State have confirmed their participation in the Summit with more expected, including President Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi of the Republic of Botswana, President Faure Gnassingbé of the Republic of Togo, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi, and President Jose Maria Neves, Cabo Verde. The Summit will provide an invaluable opportunity bringing together the best of what Africa has to offer with the best in the United States. Participants will engage in strategic dialogue on the key issues and opportunities driving U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and commercial engagement, network with key decisionmakers, and explore avenues for sustainable business partnerships between the U.S. and Africa. Beyond the typical conference dialogue, the Summit will facilitate direct interactions between government representatives, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and investors to drive impactful collaboration and business deals.
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Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the United States. It is home to two world-class airports including the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the second-busiest international airport in the world. This city also has some of the largest African diasporas in North America, with many immigrants from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Eritrea. Dallas is among the top cities in the United States for international business and is the center of the fastest growing metropolitan region in the nation.
ABOUT THE U.S.-AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit serves as a platform for African and U.S. private sector and government representatives to engage at the highest levels on a range of issues impacting the U.S.-Africa economic relationship. Summit sessions will focus on key sectors driving business, jobs, and economic growth in the United States and across the African continent including agribusiness, energy, health, infrastructure, security, trade facilitation, ICT, creative industries, and finance. Summit participants can network with key U.S. and African private sector and government officials, explore new business opportunities, meet potential business partners, and forge new business deals. The Summit also serves as an opportunity to shape and advocate for effective U.S.-Africa trade and investment policies.
Over the last 30 years, CCA has hosted more than 50 U.S. and African Heads of State and over 15,000 participants at its Summits.
ABOUT THE CORPORATE COUNCIL ON AFRICA:
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is a leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests between the United States and the African continent. CCA uniquely represents a broad cross-section of member companies from small and medium-sized businesses to multinationals as well as U.S. and African firms. For more information, please visit www.corporatecouncilonafrica.com.
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