Obama to participate in 2016 U.S. – Africa Forum

U.S. President Barak Obama will participate in the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum, hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies, on September 21, 2016 in New York City.
The Forum will build on the progress of the inaugural Forum, held during the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit with the participation of nearly 50 heads of state or government and more than 150 global CEOs – to further develop trade and business opportunities between Africa and the United States.

As Obama reiterated in Ethiopia last summer, “Africa’s progress will depend on unleashing economic growth — not just for the few at the top, but for the many, because an essential element of dignity is being able to live a decent life. That begins with a job. And that requires trade and investment.”

The 2016 U.S.-Africa Business Forum will bring together African heads of state with CEOs of U.S. and African companies to strengthen commercial and financial ties between Africa and the United States. The Forum will focus on U.S. private sector engagement in Africa in sectors like finance and capital investment, infrastructure, power and energy, agriculture, consumer goods, health care, and information communication technology. Government leaders will engage with business executives from both sides of the Atlantic, working to develop solutions for greater trade and investment in Africa.

“We are thrilled to partner with Mike Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies once again for the second U.S. Africa Business Forum,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “Our successful first gathering in 2014 brought together hundreds of American and African CEOs with nearly every African head of state, demonstrating that the U.S. private sector is eager to increase its commercial connection to African economies. As the Obama Administration sharpens our focus on shifting the relationship between the U.S. and Africa from one based on aid to one based on trade, we will continue to support events, partnerships, and initiatives that deepen our ties of commerce and investment.”

“African markets hold many untapped opportunities for U.S. investors and companies – and capitalizing on them would create jobs and improve lives on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “That’s the goal of this year’s Forum – to foster the strong ties between the U.S. and Africa that will drive greater economic growth and lift earnings in both places.”

About the U.S. Department of Commerce: The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation’s workers. The department touches the daily lives of the American people in many ways, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis. For more information, visit commerce.gov.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies: Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on 5 key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.

Source: Bloomberg Philanthropies