The theme of this year’s Forum is Partnering to Build a Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive AGOA to Support Economic Development, Industrialization and Quality Job Creation.

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General links

Private Sector Trade Expo (Link)  

South African government media release on the private sector trade expo (LINK)

 Brochure and exhibitor information on the private sector trade expo [LINK]

 Invitation link to the B2B Sourcing and Matchmaking [LINK]

 AGOA Forum document downloads section - also follow link in drop-down menu (LINK)

 AGOA Forum 2023 - Agenda - DRAFT (20 October 2023)  (LINK)

 Links to previous Forums can be found at the bottom of this page (e.g. Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire) 

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Registration links

Private Sector Forum Registration (Link)  

 B2B Registration link for the private sector trade expo [LINK]

 Media accreditation  [LINK]

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Private Sector Forum

Corporate Council on Africa in collaboration with the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, AMCHAM South Africa, BBC, BLSA, BUSA, and the U.S. Government

Thursday, 2 November 2023, 09:00am - 5:30pm, Johannesburg Expo Center, Nasrec Rd, Rand Show Rd, Nasrec

Private Sector Forum Registration (Link)  

 Private Sector DRAFT Agenda 25 October  [LINK]

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Organised Labour Forum

An Organised Labour forum takes place concurrently with the private sector and ministerial forums, at the same venue. 

 AGOA Labour Forum 2023 Readout (Link)  

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Venues

 Venue: NASREC, Johannesburg

 Venue for the Trade Show: Johannesburg Expo Center 

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Media briefings and media releases

Media briefing with South African Minister of Trade 26 October 2023 [LINK]

Media briefing with USTR and Department of State officials 26 October 2023 [LINK]

Media releases / statements  [see documents further below]

 

 .

Selected background material:

Visit other sections of this site for comprehensive background material, including: AGOA news, web resources, country eligibility, individual country trade profiles, the AGOA products database, general and apparel rules of origin, the document download archives - legal, general, reports, annual reviews etc.), as well as a range of infographic-type brochures that can be downloaded from the Infographics section. 

 

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  Previous AGOA Forum 2018 (Washington, D.C.) readouts and communiqués [See Forum Downloads]

  AGOA Forum 2019 (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire) readouts and communiqués - documents

  AGOA Forum 2019 (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire) - List of pre-approved hotels 

  Official Website of the AGOA CSO Network

  Official Website of the AGOA Private Sector (CCA)

  Official Website of the US Department of State

  2019 Organising Committee Website

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  Private Sector Forum Agenda

Venue: Confederation Generale Des Enterprises De Cote D'Ivoire, Avenue Lamblin, Abidjan 

AGOA and the Future: Developing a new trade paradigm to guide US-Africa trade and investment

 

  Civil Society / AWEP / YALI  Agenda 

Venue: Pullman Hotel, Abidjan. 

AGOA and the Future: Developing a new trade paradigm to guide US-Africa trade and investment

This forum will gather African and US Civil Society stakeholders, African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) members, and Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) network members from AGOA eligible countries. There will be plenary, breakout, and B2B sessions, in addition to a closing reception. Registration is FREE. See the registration link. 

  Ministerial Forum Agenda

Venue: Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan. 

AGOA and the Future: Developing a new trade paradigm to guide US-Africa trade and investment

  For previous AGOA Forum details, agendas and outcomes, please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

  AGOA Forum 2019 (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire) - List of pre-approved hotels 

  Secretariat of the Forum Steering Committee: Address: Plateau, Résidence Tropique, 3 Boulevard of the Republic (opposite Hotel TIAMA)

  Background material: Visit other sections of this site for comprehensive background material (a small selection: AGOA news, web resources, country eligibility, individual country trade profiles, the AGOA products database, general and apparel rules of origin, the document download archives - legal, general, reports, annual reviews etc.), as well as a range of infographic-type brochures that can be downloaded from the new Infographics section. 

 

 

 

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  AGOA Forum 2018 readouts and communiqués [See Forum Downloads]

 

  Official Website of the AGOA CSO Network

  Official Website of the AGOA Private Sector (CCA)

  Official Website of the AGOA Diaspora Roundtable (Leon Sullivan Foundation) 

  Official Website of the US Department of State

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  Civil Society / AWEP Agenda 

  Civil Society / AWEP Readout

  Private Sector Agenda

   Private Sector Readout

 

  For previous AGOA Forum details, agendas and outcomes, please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Official AGOA Forum Togo 2017 Website

  Official Website of the AGOA CSO Network

  Official Website of the AGOA Private Sector event

  Civil Society / AWEP Agenda (Draft)

  Private Sector Agenda (Draft)

  For previous AGOA Forum details, please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

 

 

              

  

 

Theme:

«The U.S. and Africa : Partnering for Prosperity through Trade»

from 08 to 10 August 2017

 

*** UPDATED DRAFT AGENDAS IN DOWNLOAD SECTION - as of 06 AUGUST 2017 ***

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CIVIL SOCIETY AGENDA

Monday, 7 August 2017
TIME		VENUE
14 :00 - 16 :00	WORKSHOP 1 AGOA Country Utilization Strategy: Country Presentations Planning makes success possible Q&A	ECOWAS Building Central Lomé,
16 :00 - 16 :20	Coffee Break
16 :30- 18 :00	WORKSHOP 2 Building the Infrastructure and Transportation Linkages to Make AGOA Products Competitive Q&A
Tuesday, 8 August 2017
08 :00 - 08 :30	REGISTRATION	Radisson Blu Hotel
08 :30 - 10 :00	Joint Opening Session Ceremony Civil Society Organization/AWEP and the Private Sector	Radisson Blu Hotel

 

10 :00 - 10 :20	Coffee Break, Group Photo, Networking	Radisson Blu Hotel
10 :30 - 12 :00	CSO/AWEP Plenary Session Plenary Session 1 Using Fair Trade to Promote AGOA Exports for MSMEs Q&A
12 :15 - 13 :15	Lunch
13 :30 - 14 :45	Plenary Session 2 Utilizing Micro, Small, Medium Sized Enterprises to Strengthen Regional Integration Q&A
15 :00 - 16 :15	Concurrent Workshops Challenges, Best Practices and the Way Forward Challenges, Best Practices and Recommendations on Textile, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Agric- Industry (value added),
16 :30 - 17:00	Recommendations, Review and Communiqué Drafting/Press Conference :

Wednesday, 9 August 2017
TIME		VENUE
08:30-10 :00	Plenary Session 3 Skills Development Seminar Marketing, Fundraising, Financing, Social Media Q&A	ECOWAS Building Central Lomé
10:15-10:20	Coffee Break
10:30-12:00	Plenary Session 4 Skills Development Training Seminar Packaging, Sales Promotion, Advocacy, Media and Press Relations Q&A

 

TIME		VENUE
12:15-13:15	Lunch	ECOWAS Building Central Lomé
13:30-16:00	Town Hall Meeting Civil Society and AWEP Discussion on the Way Forward Q&A
Thursday, 10 August 2017
TIME		VENUE
10:00-12:00	Site Visit to Alaffia Company Headquarters in Lomé, Togo	Alaffia Headquarters

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PRIVATE SECTOR AGENDA

Enhancing U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment

Lomé, Togo

 

August 7

Ecobank Transnational | 2365, Boulevard du Mono

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception

 

August 8

Radisson Blu Hotel 2 Fevrier | Place de l'Independence

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | AGOA Successes/Challenges and the Way Forward

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade Act was enacted into law on 18 May 2000. The legislation which was extended for 10 years on June 25, 2015, continues to be the cornerstone of USG economic engagement with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa by providing unilateral market access to the U.S. for qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries. Total African exports under AGOA more than quadrupled since the program’s inception. In recent years, U.S.-Africa two-way trade has accounted for more than $30 billion. This session seeks to highlight the successes and challenges of AGOA across a broad spectrum of sectors. It also looks at the way forward for U.S. and sub-Saharan African economic engagement. 

 

Moderator: 

Ikechukwu Ofuani, Senior Manager, Global Government Relations and Public Policy, Procter and Gamble

 

Panelists:

Pankaj Bedi, CEO, United Aryan Limited

Olivier Bersia, General Manager, Flexknit Madagasgar

Brooke Buchanan, Vice President, Whole Foods Market 

Olowo-n’djo Tchala, Founder and CEO, Alaffia

 

 

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Tour of the Exhibition Hall 

1:30 p.m.  - 2:30 p.m. |  Networking Lunch 

2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Logistics, Transport Operations and the Global Supply Chain

 

Africa’s presence and importance in regional and global supply chains is growing as manufacturers and buyers seek to diversify sourcing and move production to countries that have sufficient inputs and efficient labor supplies. Africa is diversifying its economy from commodity-based production to building industrial and manufacturing capacity and offering attractive incentives designed to increased FDI flows and trade volumes. Moving goods from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. requires efficient and effective logistics and transport operations, including air transport and port facilities. On time delivery of safe, wholesome and affordable food commodities, including perishable ones, and well-made industrial products is key to ensuring continued market access to the U.S. market. Panelists in this session will discuss efficient and effective supply chain operations, logistics and transport operations. 

 

Moderator: 

Vanessa Adams, Chief of Party, USAID, Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub

 

Panelists:

Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO, Ecobank

Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines

Thomas Hardy, Acting Director, USTDA

 

 

 Back to top

 

Previous Forum details:

AGOA Forum 2016: The 2016 US – sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) took place September 22-26, 2016 in Washington D.C., United States. 

 

 

 

              

 

 

Please find draft agenda details for the Civil Society Forum further down.  

 

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“Maximizing U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment: AGOA and Beyond”

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A pdf version of the draft programme is available at the above link. 

 

*** UPDATED DRAFT AGENDA - as of 07 SEPTEMBER 2016 ***

 

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TUE SEPT 20, 2016

TUE SEPT 20, 2016             

 

09:00-12:00                Corporate Council on Africa Private Sector Side Event

(Location TBD, New York City)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED at www.corporatecouncilonafrica.com

 

This event will emphasize AGOA success stories in business and manufacturing.  Examples to be featured include: the recent AGOA-linked textile boom in Ethiopia, Namibia’s groundbreaking approval to export beef to the United States, and cocoa value-added processing in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.

 

THUR SEPT 22, 2016

 

1:00pm – 4:00pm       AGOA Civil Society Registration & Workshop on AGOA Utilization Strategies

International Republican Institute (1225 Eye Street NW Suite 800, Washington DC)

CLOSED TO PRESS

*SEE FURTHER DETAILS FURTHER DOWN*

 

 

FRI SEPT 23, 2016

 

08:30 am – 5:00 pm   Civil Society Forum

International Republican Institute (1225 Eye Street NW Suite 800, Washington DC)           

OPEN TO PRESS 

*SEE FURTHER DETAILS BELOW*

 

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm     Power Africa: Galvanizing the Power Sector to Support Industry & Trade

Hunton & Williams, LLP (2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC)

CLOSED TO PRESS

                                   

CO-CHAIRS

Andrew M. Herscowitz, Power Africa Coordinator, USAID

African Co-Chair: H.E. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works & Housing (invited)

                                   

PANELISTS

John J. Beardsworth, Jr., Partner, Hunton & Williams, LLP

Stephen Gardner, Chief Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program, US Department of Commerce

Sean T. Long, Founder & CEI, Endeavor Energy

Anthony Molle, Senior Counsel, The World Bank Group

Greg Ness, Executive Director, Project & Export Finance, Standard Chartered Bank

Nicholas Okafor, Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

 

This session will address collaborative efforts between U.S. and African governments to improve the legal and regulatory environment necessary to spur private investment to meet the demand for project capital in African infrastructure. The panel will highlight how attracting private investment in the energy sector spurs economic growth and supports the industrial base, creating a multiplier effect on trade and investment on the continent and  about the policy reforms needed to attract that investment.  Panelists will discuss Power Africa’s consensus-based process to build the capacity of the local government, legal communities, and other stakeholders to attract and negotiate power project financing, as well as to regulate the power sector. Presenters will offer lessons learned, reflect on the impact on industry and trade, and consider opportunities for future policy reforms  that can take a like-minded approach with local governments and attorneys in order to improve the environment for business and trade in Africa.

 

5:30pm -   7:30 pm   Civil Society Reception

 

 

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MON SEPT 26, 2016

 

 

8:45 – 09:40 am        Ministerial Opening Ceremony

OPEN TO PRESS & LIVESTREAMING ON VIDEO.STATE.GOV

(U.S. Department of State, Loy Henderson Auditorium)

8h45-0850: Seating of officials

850 - 9h00: U.S. National anthem

9h00-9h10: Introductory remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield

9h10-9h25: Remarks by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (invited - Livestreamed on state.gov)

9h25-9h40:  Welcome remarks by Gabon Minister of Trade, SME, Handicrafts, Tourism & Services Development H.E. Madeleine Berre

 

09:40 - 09:45 am      Readout from African Trade Ministers’ Consultative Meeting

09:45 - 09:50am       Readout from Labor Ministerial

09:50 – 09:55am       Readout from Commerce A/S Kumar on USABF Outcomes

09:55 – 10:00 am      Readout from Civil Society (incorporating AWEP, Private Sector)

 

WORKSHOP 3 – Solutions for SME Trade Financing

OPEN TO LIVESTREAMING ON VIDEO.STATE.GOV

(Loy Henderson Conference Room)    

                                  

CO-CHAIRS

Melvin Williams, General Counsel, U.S. Small Business Administration

H.E. Axel Marcel Addy, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Liberia

                                              

PANELISTS

Dr. Frannie Léautier, Senior Vice-President, African Development Bank (AfDB)

Willy Foote, Founder & CEO, Root Capital

Stephennette Deddeh Snoh-Taylor, Manager, New World Finance / YALI Fellow

Michael Metzler, Director, USAID Development Credit Authority

Abdulai Abdul-Rahman, Head of SME Scale Enterprises, Ecobank Ghana

 

The availability of trade finance is essential for a healthy trading system as up to 80 per cent of trade is financed by credit or credit insurance. But trade finance is often difficult for African producers to access, and poses a significant barrier to trade. The estimated value of unmet demand for trade finance in Africa is US$ 120 billion (one-third of the continent’s trade finance market).  SMEs have particular challenges in accessing affordable financing. Globally, over half of trade finance requests by SMEs are rejected, against just 7 per cent for multinational companies. Bridging these gaps would unlock the trading potential of many thousands of individuals and small businesses. This session will describe how to create a supportive financial regulatory framework; including financial institutions, non-bank lenders, and other technical assistance providers; to deliver services to SMEs in need of funding as well as technical assistance on how to manage funds. Getting government to work with private sector and provide lenders with tools to assist with SME export development can lead to stable companies, more stable communities, and economic growth.

 

6:15 – 6:35 pm          Closing Ceremony

(Loy Henderson Auditorium)

OPEN TO PRESS & LIVESTREAMING ON VIDEO.STATE.GOV

 

Remarks by:        

H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, African Union Commission Chairperson

Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

                                                

Closing statements of summary and thanks, presentation of the 2017 AGOA Forum host.

 

 

AGOA Civil Society Forum -  AGENDA

----- For full details including speakers of each session, please download the agenda at the link below ----- 

 

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Theme: "The Role of Civil Society in Maximizing AGOA Now while Preparing for the Future Beyond AGOA"

 

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THURSDAY, September 22, 2016

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm               Registration (Venue: Washington Plaza Hotel)

Please take note that registration continues Friday at the International Republican Institute

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm               Workshop on AGOA Country Utilization Strategy (Washington Plaza Hotel)

 

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FRIDAY, September 23, 2016

8:00 am - 5:00 pm               Registration (Venue: International Republican Institute - Reagan Events Center)

8:30 am - 10:00 am             Opening Ceremony

10:05 am - 11:00 am           Panel I: Congressional Perspectives on The Future of AGOA  (opening Remarks: Hon. Karen Bass)

11:05 am -12:30 pm            Panel II: Capacity Building and Technical Assistance to Support Trade Facilitation in SSA 

12:35 pm - 1:35 pm             Lunch Presentation: The Future of U.S. - Africa Economic Cooperation

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm               Panel III: Enhancing Africa's Regional Integration to US-Africa Trade and Investment

 

Concurrent Panels

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm               Panel IV: YALI's Role in Strengthening US-Africa Trade and Investment Expansion

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm               Panel V: AWEP Roundtable on The Future of US-Africa Trade and Investment

3:50 pm - 5:00 pm               Panel VI: PLENARY: Presentation/Discussion of Recommendations for Communique

 

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm               Reception (Remarks: The Honorable Nina Walet Intalou, Minister of Handicrafts and Tourism, The Republic of Mali (invited))

REGISTRATION: PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE

Questions regarding participation contact: Annette Smith at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

 

AGOA Forum 2015: The 2015 US – sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) takes place August 24-27, 2015 in Libreville, Gabon. 

• Visit the official Gabonese AGOA Forum 2015 website:  www.agoa.ga/

 

The theme for this year's event is:

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“AGOA at 15: Charting a course for a sustainable US-Africa Trade and Investment Partnership”

 

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A more detailed (draft) version of the programme can be downloaded at this link.  

 

MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2015

 

9:00 – 17:00    Advance Registration (Badge Pick-up)

9:00 – 15:00    Senior African Officials Pre-Forum Preparation Meeting

 

TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2015                

 

9:00 – 17:00    Advance Registration (Badge Pick-up)

9:00 – 12:00    African Trade Ministers Consultative Group Meeting

9:00 – 17:00    Private Sector and Civil Society Events& Site Visits

                         African Women Entrepreneurs Program (AWEP)                                

17:00 - 19:30   VIP Reception hosted by Private Sector

 

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2015

 

08:45 – 10:15       Ministerial Opening Ceremony

10:45 – 10:55       Readout from African Trade Ministers Consultative Group

10:55 – 11:05       Readout from Civil Society, AWEP, and Private Sector (3 mins each)

11:05 – 12:30       PLENARY 1 –Dialogue on the Current U.S. -Africa Trade and Investment Partnership and Beyond

                                  

14:00– 15:30    BREAKOUT Sessions

WORKSHOP 1 – Building capacity to comply with international SPS standards to increase food security, agro-business investment, and AGOA exports                               

WORKSHOP 2 – How to ensure compliance with standard requirements and modalities to broaden benefits from AGOA                                                                      

WORKSHOP 3 – Investing in innovative infrastructure solutions through the promotion of public/private partnerships to improve African competitiveness and regional trade                                  

WORKSHOP 4 – Advancing sustainable sourcing and trading in the forestry sector through enhanced public/private partnership: the case of Gabon

                                  

16:00 – 17:30      PLENARY 2 – Promoting intra-Africa trade and regional integration through sustainable investments

17:30 – 18:30      USTR Meeting with Trade Ministers

                            CLOSED – HEADS OF DELEGATION ONLY

                                                                    

THURSDAY August 27, 2015

 

08:45 - 10:15      PLENARY 3 – Dialogue with U.S. Congressional Members and Staff                                  

10:30 – 11:30     PLENARY 4 – Strategic Public-Private Approaches to Develop Value Chains and Market Linkages to Accelerate Trade Competitiveness and Export Growth

                                 

12:00 – 13:30    BREAKOUT 2:

 

 WORKSHOP 5 – Connecting Africa through ICT: Bridging the digital divide

 WORKSHOP 6 – Improving global health security: an imperative for accelerating economic growth and expanding trade                                

 WORKSHOP 7 – Youth and Trade Agenda: The way forward               

 WORKSHOP 8 – Addressing Africa’s Power Deficit        

  *Note: this session will run till 1400.

                                  

Part I (12:00 - 12:45)    – Lessons Learned under Power Africa for Attracting Power Sector Investment

Part II (12:45 - 13:15)  – Increasing investments in renewable energy for a sustainable solution to Africa’s power shortages

Part III (13:15 - 14:00) – Natural Gas Value Chain

                                  

15:00 –16:30     PLENARY 5 – The Missing Middle – Supporting African women entrepreneurs to participate in global supply chains                                    

 

16:45 – 17:15    Ministerial Closing Ceremony

17:15 - 19:00     Closing Reception  

 

 

 

 

The 2014 US – sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) will coincide with the historic US-Africa Leaders Summit.

 

AGOA Ministerial

Monday, August 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the World Bank Preston Auditorium

The AGOA Ministerial will convene senior U.S. administration officials, Members of Congress, African government ministers, and leaders of African regional economic communities to discuss AGOA’s renewal and modernization as well as its linkage to a comprehensive trade and development strategy.  This event is by invitation only.

 

AGOA Civil Society Forum

Friday, August 1 to Saturday, August 2 at FHI 360, 1825 Connecticut Ave NW

Hosted by the AGOA Civil Society Network, this Forum brings together a wide array of U.S. and African non-governmental organizations, representatives of small-to-medium sized businesses, and other groups to discuss ways to implement AGOA so that it benefits all segments of American and African society.  The two-day event will provide space to discuss civil society’s perspectives on AGOA renewal.  This event is open to the public. For more information or to register, please visit www.2014agoacsosession.eventbrite.com 

 

AGOA Panel Discussion, U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit Civil Society Forum

Monday, August 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the National Academy of Sciences

Select members of civil society and government will hold a consultation on AGOA’s future as part of a broader Civil Society event.  The panel discussion will be directly followed by a Global Town Hall Meeting moderated by Secretary Kerry. This event is by invitation only.  

 

Corporate Council on Africa’s AGOA Ministerial Networking Reception

Tuesday, August 5 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Hotel

As a part of CCA’s full week of events surrounding the US-Africa Leaders Summit, the AGOA Networking Reception will allow business leaders and U.S. and African government officials to interact in a less structured setting.  This event is open to the registered guests. For more information or to register, please visit the events calendar on CCA’s website: www.africacncl.org.

 

AWEP Business-to-Business Showcase and Reception

Wednesday, August 6 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion, Ronald Reagan Building

This showcase will feature booths from 30 African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) enterprises as well as opening and closing addresses by senior USG officials. This event is open to the public, contingent upon rsvp.  For more information or to register, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 202-939-5570.

 

US-Africa Business Forum

Tuesday, August 5 from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Programme details for this historic event taking place alongside the 2014 AGOA Forum available at this link.  

 

 

Following is the text of a joint statement issued June 11 by the United States of America and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia:

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in association with the United States Government, will host the 2013 U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum also known as the AGOA Forum, on August 12-13, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The theme of this year's AGOA Forum is "Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology". The Ministerial-level event will include a high level dialogue on the future of U.S.-Africa trade and economic cooperation.

The Forum will be preceded by private sector and civil society programs, as well as a program arranged by the Ethiopian African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), on August 10-11. The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) will also organize a US - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Exhibition to run concurrent with the Forum events. The private sector session will run from 09 August to 11 August.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. Government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa. The United States is strongly committed to expanding trade and investment, and to supporting broad-based economic opportunity and prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Read more...

Following is the text of a joint statement issued June 11 by the United States of America and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia:

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in association with the United States Government, will host the 2013 U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum also known as the AGOA Forum, on August 12-13, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The theme of this year's AGOA Forum is "Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology". The Ministerial-level event will include a high level dialogue on the future of U.S.-Africa trade and economic cooperation.

The Forum will be preceded by private sector and civil society programs, as well as a program arranged by the Ethiopian African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), on August 10-11. The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) will also organize a US – Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Exhibition to run concurrent with the Forum events.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. Government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa. The United States is strongly committed to expanding trade and investment, and to supporting broad-based economic opportunity and prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Please note - administrative and registration details:

The official AGOA Forum 2013 Ethiopia website can be accessed at the following LINK. It contains all registration and other logistical information. 

Registration for the AGOA Forum Private Sector sessions: please visit the Corporate Council on Africa LINK.