Four high-impact sessions to mark on the agenda at the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, Luanda, Angola.

As we gather in Luanda for the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit #USAfricaBizSummit2025, we’re excited to spotlight sessions that explore key sectors and initiatives driving U.S.-Africa trade, investment and commercial engagement.

Below are four high-impact sessions to mark on your agenda — each exploring bold pathways for investment, partnership, and innovation between the U.S. and African markets.

This opening plenary convenes top private sector leaders to share a forward-looking vision for strengthening U.S.-Africa trade and investment ties. From unlocking new markets to fostering innovation, expect high-level insights on what’s possible through deeper collaboration.

Opening Scene-Setter Plenary – Pathways to Prosperity: A Share Vision for U.S-Africa Partnership – Day 1 | Monday | 9:34 – 10:19 AM

Moderator: Jennifer Zabasajja, Chief Africa Correspondent, Bloomberg Television

Speakers include:

Luís Filipe Rodrigues Lélis, CEO, BAI

Luisa Ortega, President, Africa Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company

Jerónimo Paulino, President, Angolan Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG)

Admassu Tadesse, President & Group Managing Director, TDB Group

Panel Discussion: Empowering Change – Expanding African-Led Participation in Global Value Chains – Day 2 | Tuesday | 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Moderator: Akaego Okoye, Founder, African Business Stories

This session explores how to scale African SMEs into high-value sectors like energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure. Learn from leaders on the ground how to unlock inclusive growth through financing, policy reform, and cross-sector partnerships.

Corporate Council for Africa (CCA) High-impact sessions to mark on the agenda at the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, Luanda, Angola.

Speakers Include:

Nana Appiah-Korang, Co-Founder, Amayi Foods Limited

Agostinho Cussomba, Director, Sodiam

Joao Filipe, Chairman & CEO, Cabship

Cynthia E. Gnassingbé-Essonam, Senior Advisor, AfCFTA

Hon. Natangwe Paulus Ithete, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrialization, Mines, and Energy, Namibia

Panel Discussion: Supercharging Public-Private Philantropic Partnership – Day 2 | Tuesday | 3:00 – 4:45 PM

Moderator: Yinka Adegoke Editor, Semafor Africa

What happens when governments, businesses, and philanthropy collaborate? This panel dives into successful models that are transforming local economies while deepening U.S.-Africa trade and investment ties.

Speakers Include:

Wilson Agostinho, President, Angolan Corporate Governance Association

Mahmoud Bah, COO, Corus International

Rischon Chimboza, Special Advisor, Tony Blair Institute

Corporate Council for Africa (CCA) High-impact sessions to mark on the agenda at the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, Luanda, Angola.

Sam Ogbemi Daibo, Executive Director, PIND Foundation

Barry Johnson, Founder and CEO, 7 Generations Africa

Panel Discussion: Money Without Borders – The Big Moves Shaping Africa’s Payment Future – Day 3 | Wednesday | 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Moderatos: Craig Stoehr, General Counsel, Yellow Card Financial, LLC

Cross-border payments are the lifeblood of trade, investment, and inclusion on the continent. This session unpacks how Africa’s financial leaders are driving innovation, regulatory harmonisation, and new technologies to unlock seamless payments across borders.

Speakers Include:

H.E. Dr. Manuel António Tiago Dias, Governor, National Bank of Angola

Sebastian Ellepo, CEO, NGSER

Oluwabankole Falade, Chief Regulatory Officer, Flutterwave

Hon. Dr. Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kingdom of Lesotho

Martison Obeng-Agyei, CEO, Afrimoney, Africell

Confirmed Speakers Now Live on the Summit Website!!

We’re excited to announce that our confirmed speakers for the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit is now live on the website! From heads of state to top CEOs and senior U.S. government officials, this year’s lineup is shaping up to be our most impactful yet. We’re adding more names each day, so be sure to check back regularly for the latest updates.

LUANDA – President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is leading Namibia’s delegation to the 2025 US-Africa Business Summit being held in Luanda, Angola, where the country is expected to seek investment in the oil, gas and infrastructure sectors.

The summit, taking place from yesterday to 25 June, brings together African leaders, US government officials and business representatives under the theme “Pathways to prosperity: A shared vision for US-Africa partnership.”

Namibia’s presence signals a strong commitment to securing investments in key sectors, including energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and education.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah is scheduled to speak during a plenary session on advancing US-Africa energy partnerships today, and again tomorrow in a discussion on women in leadership and investment.

Namibia’s participation comes at a time the country has made major oil and gas discoveries and is positioning itself as a new player in the global energy market.

Namibia’s ambassador to Angola Patrick Nandago said the summit is a chance to attract serious investors and learn from countries like Angola, which has a well-established oil industry.

“We have just discovered oil and gas,” Nandago said in an interview. “We still need people to invest in that sector, we need to put up infrastructure relevant to the industry. This is a platform to listen, to share, and to attract the right partnerships.”

President Nandi-Ndaitwah is accompanied by senior government officials and business leaders, including Minister of International Relations Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi, and Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne.

The Namibian delegation also includes the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and private sector representatives.

Ambassador Nandago said Namibia stands to benefit from Angola’s experience as one of Africa’s largest oil producers.

“Angola is one of the wealthiest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of natural resources, and they have gone through the journey we are just beginning,” he said. “We want to learn from their mistakes and their successes.”

He added that Angola’s population of more than 30 million gives the country strong buying power, making it a key trading partner for Namibia.

The relationship between the two countries, he said, is built on shared history.

“Our bond is strong because we fought together during the liberation struggle,” Nandago said.

He continued: “We shared the trenches and the sacrifices. Today, we have signed close to 40 bilateral agreements in areas like defence, energy, water, health and education.”

The ambassador said Namibia is attending the summit to promote investment opportunities in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health and education.

“We want to expand our market and attract the investment we need to develop,” he said. “There is always room to improve. This summit gives us that chance to hear new ideas, learn about innovations and build meaningful partnerships.”

Presidential Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari said the summit is also important for showcasing Namibia’s leadership and its readiness for international investment.

“President Nandi-Ndaitwah will use this opportunity to present Namibia as a stable, investment-ready country with strong governance and growing potential,” he said.

Tomorrow, the President is expected to speak on a panel about women in leadership, where she will highlight the role of women in driving innovation and shaping economic policy.

Hengari said this will reflect Namibia’s commitment to inclusive development.

“This is about more than business. It is also about showing that Namibia values leadership that includes everyone,” he said.

The US-Africa Business Summit is hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa and the Angolan government. It focuses on expanding trade, investment and business cooperation between the US and African countries.

The President is expected to return to Namibia tomorrow evening after completing her engagements.

Trade & Investment Opportunities #USAfricaBizSummit2025 in Luanda

Business executives and African leaders are gathered in Luanda for the 17 U.S.-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa and hosted this year by the Government of Angola. Expected participants include heads of state and government from Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, and Sao Tome and Principe, along with President Joao Lourenco from the Summit host. Others taking part include business leaders from Africa and the United States, senior government officials and policy experts for a program focused on building stronger economic ties between Africa and the United States.

The official U.S. delegation includes Ambassador Troy Fitrell, who heads Bureau of African Affairs at the State Department and Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa.

The 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit is held in Luanda, Angola this June 22 – 25 under the theme, “Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for U.S.-Africa Partnership”.

The summit, bringing together more than 1,500 delegates including African presidents, heads of government, cabinet members, and senior U.S. Government officials and leaders from U.S. and African companies, will cover the full range of opportunities to expand U.S.-Africa trade, investment, business relations, and innovation, as outlined by the Trump Administration, which aims to redefine U.S.-Africa relations.

“By shifting away from traditional aid delivery systems, a U.S.-Africa business summit could launch a new era of U.S.-Africa relations in a way likely to yield growth and shared prosperity,” says a new analysis by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The summit will prioritize private-sector dialogue, digital collaboration, and strategic resource partnerships. Officials say it reflects a deliberate move from traditional assistance models to a relationship rooted in mutual economic interests.

The summit “will prioritize exchange between partners and relations between equals,” said Troy Fitrell of the State Department’s Africa Bureau.

The summit is expected to focus on three key pillars: transitioning from aid to trade, securing critical mineral supply chains, and leveraging American leadership in artificial intelligence and digital technology. With Africa home to vast energy and mineral reserves — and a growing tech-savvy population — the continent offers enormous potential for U.S. businesses.

Analysts say the summit represents a timely response to growing Chinese influence in Africa. Unlike opaque loans from Beijing, U.S. commercial diplomacy promises transparency, innovation, and long-term growth. The administration will also showcase its reorganized State Department, designed to fast-track trade facilitation and reduce bureaucratic delays. By emphasizing strategic investment and shared prosperity, the summit may well mark the beginning of a revitalized, commerce-first U.S.-Africa relationship.

High-level Ethiopian delegation led by President Taye arrives in Luanda to attend the U.S.-Africa Business Summit

High-level Ethiopian delegation led by President Taye arrives in Luanda to attend the U.S.-Africa Business Summit

Addis Ababa, June 22, 2025 (FMC) — A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by President Taye Atske Selassie has arrived in Luanda, Angola’s capital to attend the U.S.-Africa Business Summit scheduled from June 22 to 25, 2025.

Upon his arrival in Luanda, President Taye and his delegation were accorded a warm welcome by high-level Angolan government officials.

This year’s U.S.-Africa summit is unique, particularly given that it took place shortly after the U.S. shifted its policy toward the continent to focus on investment and commercial diplomacy.

The shift in the Donald Trump administration highlights a transition from an aid-heavy model to one rooted in investment, infrastructure, and deal-making as part of an “America First” foreign policy.

The highly anticipated summit is expected to bring together over 1,500 delegates, including African presidents, heads of state, ministers, and senior U.S. and African government officials and business leaders.

Organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in collaboration with the Angolan government, the U.S. – Africa summit will cover opportunities for expanding U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and business relations.

At the event, President Taye is anticipated to deliver the keynote speech and hold bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the summit.

It has been learned that other members of the delegation are also gathering in Luanda to attend the panel discussions and other important sessions.

Ethiopian foreign policy has given special consideration to economic diplomacy, which is at the heart of the nation’s diplomatic commitments.

As a result, Ethiopia has recently achieved remarkable results in economic diplomacy.

The country has been particularly successful in attracting foreign direct investment, strengthening bilateral trade relations, and exploring new market opportunities in various countries.

Conferences like the US-Africa Summit have the potential to contribute directly to the remarkable results that have been achieved in recent years in this sector.

Furthermore, these platforms are expected to enable Ethiopia to leverage its economic diplomacy potential, which will surely accelerate the nation’s economic reform and promote economic development.