U.S. Chamber-ECOWAS Business Initiative

08/09/2016

Africa Cyber Security Conference

Africa Cyber Security Conference

L’Africa Cyber Security Conference, est une initiative d’un groupe de partenaires dont Orange, Jighi, MTN et soutenue par l’US Embassy-Abidjan

08/04/2016

Washington: VOA reçoit Leila N'diaye de la U.S Chamber of Commerce

On peut se demander, qu'est ce que la Chambre de Commerce des États-Unis? La directrice Afrique chargée des affaires politiques a répondu à la Voix de l'Amérique - VOA. Écoutez.
https://youtu.be/AP0PhlscjTw

08/04/2016

Et de 2, on remet ça!!

http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=97b297c5180fca04a1ef7ffdd&id=2b0dbabdd2&e=a64ac238e9

07/20/2016

Global Partners Discuss Key Data and the Future of U.S.-Africa's SMES

The U.S.-Africa Business Center is proud to have taken part in the Africa Diaspora SME Business Forum. We look forward to the continuing dialogue regarding what can be done to support the African diaspora as they launch businesses all across their home continent. As Leila Ndiaye, Director for Policy at the U.S.-Africa Business Center stated, we are truly committed to moving beyond dialogue as we are taking actionable steps to help open up access to African markets for small and medium-sized businesses.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201607181038.html

Ahead of President Obama's second U.S.-Africa Business Forum planned for New York on September 21, 2016, the FEEEDS Initiative —Food Security, Education, Environment-Energy, Economics, Democracy-Development and Self-help— in partnership with GALLUP, hosted the third annual forum on Africa in Washing...

07/18/2016

It is with great pleasure that we introduce to you Rahama Wright. Rahama is the founder of the social enterprise, Shea Yeleen - a proud member organization of the U.S.-Africa Business Center. Rahama was first introduced to shea butter production in 2002 while working in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso before going on to start a shea butter cooperative in Mali where she was a Peace Corps volunteer. In 2005, Rahama launched Shea Yeleen International, a non-profit organization that helps women in West Africa organize cooperatives and provides training on quality assurance and micro enterprise development. In 2012, she created Shea Yeleen Health & Beauty LLC, a for-profit sister organization. The vision for the enterprise is to change the shea butter supply chain so that women shea butter producers can be fairly compensated for their labor. Rahama is also a member of the U.S President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

05/26/2016

Voguespay.Com Wins Best Emerging Online Payment Platform In Africa At ICT Summit

Voguespay.Com Wins Best Emerging Online Payment Platform In Africa At ICT Summit

Voguespay.Com Wins Best Emerging Online Payment Platform In Africa At ICT Summit

05/26/2016

GT Bank's Segun Agbaje named Banker of the Year - African Business Magazine

GT Bank's Segun Agbaje named Banker of the Year - African Business Magazine

The chief executive of Guaranty Trust Bank has been named Africa's Banker of the Year for a second time at a glittering awards ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia.

05/26/2016

Nigeria to head West Africa in new Coca-Cola structure

Nigeria to head West Africa in new Coca-Cola structure

The Coca-Cola Company has announced a new international structure in order to better align its operating units against its global bottling footprint. It also hopes this change will promote and develop key Coca-Cola leaders.

05/13/2016

MTN Ghana invests more than US $ 2.5 billion in infrastructure

Mr Ebenezer Twum Asante, CEO of MTN Ghana, said the company has grown in every aspect of their business, including market operations, customer base, network and products and services.He said government would continue to provide the needed and enabling environment for businesses to grow and develop to support the economy.

In 2016 alone, the company is making a total investment of $96 million, made up of $62 million in network expansion, $ 16 million in IT services and $18 million in Long Term Evolution, to enhance its operations. Ebenezer Asante Twum (CEO, MTN) Mr Ebenezer Twum Asante, the Chief Executive Officer, MT...

05/11/2016

May 11, 2016

Closing Numbers
•The Dow fell 217.23 points, or 1.21%, closing at 17,711.12.
•The NASDAQ fell 49.19 points, or 1.02%, closing at 4,760.69.
•The S&P fell 19.93 points, or 0.96%, closing at 2,064.46.
•Oil rose $1.43 a barrel, to $46.09.
•The euro gained against the dollar: €1=$1.143.
•The yen gained against the dollar: ¥108.44=$1.00.

05/11/2016

Sierra Leone solar push aims to bring electricity to all by 2025

"I am very proud to sign the first ever compact agreement on this campaign with the government of Sierra Leone to ignite the solar energy market - helping to power business, hospitals and homes, making sure the poorest people no matter where they live can access clean, reliable and affordable energy," Nick Hurd, DFID minister, said in a statement.

The Sierra Leonean government also plans to eliminate import duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) on internationally certified renewable energy products.

Sierra Leone aims to provide electricity to all of its 6 million citizens by 2025 in a push to boost the economy, expand crucial services such as healthcare, and reduce dependency on aid, officials said on Wednesday.

05/11/2016

Nigeria: Open Up Transport Sector to New Investors, Union Tells FG

"Muhammad Yunusa, the President General, Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) on Tuesday said the Federal Government should open up the transport sector to new investors."

Muhammad Yunusa, the President General, Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC) on Tuesday said the Federal Government should open up the transport sector to new investors.

05/10/2016

TSYS Signs Leading African Banking Group | Business Wire

TSYS (NYSE: TSS) today announced that Ecobank, the leading pan-African banking group, has deployed the latest version of the PRIMESM payments solution platform, PRIME 4, to support its acquirer processing of MasterCard, Visa and UnionPay International point-of-sale (POS) transactions across 28 countries in Middle Africa.

TSYS (NYSE: TSS) announced that Ecobank, the leading pan-African banking group, has deployed the latest version of the PRIME payments solution platfor

04/01/2016

Myron Brillant, Executive Vice President and Head of the International Division; Scott Eisner, President of the Chamber's U.S.-Africa Business Center, and Leila N'diaye of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the ECOWAS Commision in a recent trip to Abuja.

03/29/2016

Akon’s Vision To Grow Solar Power Across Africa

"Through his latest project, Akon Lighting Africa, now operating in 15 African countries, the Senegalese-born social entrepreneur aims to bring light to the nearly 600 million people living in the dark in sub-Saharan Africa."

Artist and R&B singer Akon took fans and the business industry by surprise in late 2015 when he announced his vision to bring solar power to millions of Africans. We spoke with him about his future vision.

03/29/2016

IITA to invest US$5m to boost agric sector

Edem Simon Asimah, Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, stated that a stronger Ghana-IITA collaboration “Will bring significant benefits to farmers and the national economy, through building individual and institutional capacity in science and technology, improved farm productivity and profitability, household income and nutrition, as well as consumer welfare”.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a non-governmental and non-profit making...

03/22/2016

Four questions on the state of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and implications for...

Four questions on the state of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and implications for...

Amadou Sy and Mariama Sow answer four questions on the state of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and its implications for regional economic integration among African countries.

03/21/2016

voiceofnigeria.org.ng

http://voiceofnigeria.org.ng/nigeria-u-s-partner-to-improve-ict-sector/

The United States Chamber of Commerce has indicated interest to collaborate with Nigeria to promote the ICT sector of the Economy and improve Job opportunities in the country.

The Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs US Chamber of Commerce ,Mr Myron Brilliant disclosed this when the delegates paid courtesy visit to the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Sh*ttu in Abuja.

03/21/2016

Oil Workers Want End To Sector Crises

http://news.nigeriannation.com/nigeria/news-headlines/oil-workers-want-end-to-sector-crises/

L-R President International Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce, Mr Scott Eisner, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs, US Chambers of Commerce, Mr Myron Brilliant and Director Policy Africa, U S Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Leila Ndiaye, during a courtesy call on the minister in Abuja recently.

L-R President International Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce, Mr Scott Eisner, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs, US Chambers of Comme…

03/21/2016

Dominique Ouattara - english

This is another recognition of the international community for the leadership of First Lady Dominique Ouattara.
Indeed, the American Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Head of State's wife for her entrepreneurial and social commitment.
The presentation of this award ceremony took place, on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016 at the Presidential Residence of the Riviera Golf.

03/21/2016

Ivory Coast Struggles To Keep Economy Afloat After Terror Attack

Investors Remain Confident


As if to bolster that confidence, potential investors from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce happened to be on a scheduled visit to Ivory Coast just when al-Qaida struck in the deadly assault.

The chamber's executive vice president, Myron Brilliant, said the attacks have not put them off. "In no way will that deter our investment and trade relations here in Côte d'Ivoire," he said.

"If anything, we feel very close to Côte d'Ivoire," he said, "because we have suffered our own attacks in our country, in the United States. And so we understand what's going on here, we understand the significance of it."

Brilliant addressed journalists after talks this past week with the Ivorian president and cabinet ministers on his organisation's wish to promote deeper investment and commercial ties between the U.S. and Ivory Coast.

He talked about expanding in areas such as energy, agrifood business, education, healthcare, travel and tourism. "There is a great need, a great opportunity for U.S. companies here in Côte d'Ivoire," Brilliant said.

http://www.npr.org/2016/03/20/471161418/ivory-coast-struggles-to-keep-economy-afloat-after-terror-attack

03/21/2016

Economic Partners Stand by Ivory Coast After Terror Attack

Also meeting the Ivorian president was a U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation for talks, planned before the attack, aimed at reinforcing the economic partnership between the two countries.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Myron Brilliant said the attack will not derail that relationship.

"We feel very close to Côte d’Ivoire because we have suffered our own attacks in our country, and so we understand what is going on here, we understand the significance of it. But in no way will that deter our investments and trade relations here in Côte d’Ivoire. If anything, that will encourage us to be more fruitful and more engaged and more positive about our interactions here," said Brilliant.

After meeting with President Alassane Ouattara delegations from US Chamber of Commerce, IMF, and French ministers of security and foreign affairs are upbeat about country's economic prospects

03/21/2016

Africa in the news: Angola faces debt pressure, Côte d’Ivoire pledges economic resiliency after...

Also, on Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had a positive statement on the economic outlook of Côte d’Ivoire for 2016. In an end-of-mission press release, team leader Dan Ghura noted that over the past four years in the country, “GDP growth has been robust, permitting a decline in poverty, and macroeconomic imbalances have been curtailed.” Similarly, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara met with economic partners on Tuesday, during which he assured the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the IMF, and the French ministers of security and foreign affairs that this attack will not significantly damage his country’s economy. It seems that their confidence in Côte d’Ivoire’s economy remains strong, with Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Myron Brilliant saying, “In no way will that [attack] deter our investments and trade relations here in Côte d’Ivoire. If anything, that will encourage us to be more fruitful and more engaged and more positive about our interactions here.”

Christina Golubski recaps this week's top stories, including Angola's debt pressure; the aftermath of Côte d’Ivoire's terrorist attacks; and Nigeria's missing oil revenues.

03/01/2016

Return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than any region | BizNis Africa

"Thirty-five of the 47 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa 74% implemented at least one reform making it easier to do business in the past year."

Rapid economic growth fuelled by a young population and immense natural resources is often the way in which Africa is described.

03/01/2016

Nigeria: As Experts Propose Amendment to 54 Laws to Make Nigeria Investors' Friendly

The Senate President said that Nigeria should use the present economic situation to set the stage for a post-oil era in which the private sector will steer the ship of the economy while government provides the enabling environment.

Press Release - AS EXPERTS PROPOSE AMENDMENT TO 54 LAWS TO MAKE NIGERIA INVESTORS' FRIENDLY... ..

03/01/2016

Visa expands business footprint across Francophone Africa | BizNis Africa

Visa expands business footprint across Francophone Africa | BizNis Africa

Visa Inc, a global payment company, today, 1 march 2016, announced its intention to open an office in Côte d'Ivoire.

02/12/2016

E Make Brain! Emojis for Africa - BBC News

According to the US-based Pew Research Center, text messaging remains the most common activity for mobile phone users in Africa. Impressed by the high adoption rate that mobile phones have enjoyed across the African continent, Nigerian-American developer Ayoola Daramola wanted to create an app that responded to the rapidly changing way Africans are communicating with each other, both at home and abroad.

A new set of emojis has launched aimed at African users, featuring African phrases and sayings.

02/02/2016

February 2, 2016

Closing Numbers
• The Dow fell 295.64 points, or 1.80%, closing at 16,153.
• The NASDAQ fell 103.42 points, or 2.24%, closing at 4,516.
• The S&P fell 36.35 points, or 1.87%, closing at 1,903.
• Oil fell $1.74 a barrel, to $29.88.
• The euro gained against the dollar: €1=$1.09.
• The yen gained against the dollar: ¥120.03=$1.00.

02/02/2016

Akon and his staff with the U.S.-Africa Business Center Team

02/02/2016

"Akon Lighting Africa project is about building legacy and empowering the next generation" -Akon at the U.S. Chamber

02/02/2016

"Our biggest resource is human capital, specifically empowering the youth in Africa." -Akon at the U.S. Chamber

02/02/2016

Samba Bathily, Akon, Thione Niang at the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss the "Akon Lighting Africa" initiative.

02/02/2016

"Akon Lighting Africa" Initiative Business Roundtable

02/02/2016

Akon Discusses Electricity in Africa at U.S. Chamber

At the chamber, Akon discussed his "Akon Lighting Africa" initiative and explained how it has impacted communities in 15 countries. He also led a panel discussion on bringing clean energy to Africa along with Scott Eisner, the chamber’s president of the U.S.-Africa Business Center.

Musician Akon visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday to promote renewable energy in Africa.

01/29/2016

US encourages businesses to explore Africa's opportunities

"This is the time to come in," said General Electric President and CEO Jay Ireland, adding American companies should be looking at long-term investments that ride out the cycles of oil prices and currency exchanges. "We're going to be here for a long time and feel very comfortable investing in Nigeria. ... (It) provides a tremendous platform for growth."

"GE is investing $200 million in Nigeria to build two facilities to assemble oil and gas and power generation equipment that the company hopes to export to other West African nations. The company employs nearly 500 people in Nigeria."

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and American business executives are meeting with African leaders and entrepreneurs to encourage trade they say will create jobs on both continents