The Opening Ceremony of the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, will highlight Angola’s leadership as the African Union Chair, as well as feature the head of the U.S. delegation representing the new Trump Administration. Distinguished speakers will underscore the importance of deepening commercial ties, fostering sustainable economic growth, and leveraging innovation to drive shared prosperity.  We will also take a moment to recognize key senior champions of U.S.-Africa trade partnership. 

This scene-setter plenary will outline the U.S.-Africa private sector collective vision for strengthening business, trade and investment ties between the United States and Africa. Key private sector leaders will present their views on how to unlock trade and investment opportunities and foster innovation on the continent.

The U.S.-Africa energy relationship has evolved significantly in recent years, marked by growing public and private sector engagement, shared priorities around energy and development goals, and the urgent need to expand access to reliable, affordable energy. While dialogues and frameworks have set the foundation, there is a pressing need to accelerate delivery — from policy to project. Hear from leaders across government, industry, and finance who are driving this transformation and shaping the future of U.S.-Africa energy cooperation in action.  

The plenary will highlight collaborative approaches, policy alignment, investment pathways, and innovative solutions driving impact across the continent’s energy sector. 

The High-Level Dialogue will examine Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy, driven by increasing investment in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and data centers. These advancements are not only enhancing the continent’s digital resilience but also unlocking new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.  

Panelists will explore Africa’s evolving investment landscape, highlighting key opportunities in digital infrastructure and its critical role in supporting digital transformation.  Participants will also discuss how strategic public-private partnerships can accelerate infrastructure development, the importance of digital governance in mitigating cybersecurity risks, and the creation of investment-friendly regulatory frameworks that foster market growth. 

African countries have made strengthening health systems, including expanding Africa’s capacity to manufacture more of the medicines and supplies it needs, a strategic imperative.  Africa has made significant strides towards that goal over the last four years, ranging from standing up the African Medicines Agency to agile programs from AUDA-NEPAD and Afreximbank that support local manufacturing.  The private sector has been a key partner in this effort, including the Program on Investing and Finance for African Health (PIFAH) that AUDA-NEPAD and CCA launched on the margins of the UN General Assembly last September.  Reaching the next level of targets will require attracting additional finance and investment, including but not limited to better designs for insurance and reimagining key procurement policies.   

This session will bring together Heads of State, senior African Union officials, corporate executives, and international partners, to share the latest developments in this fast-moving space and explore potential for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.  

Africa is actively looking to leverage major shifts in energy and manufacturing to increase its integration into global mining value chains in both traditional minerals and critical minerals related to emerging energy technologies. As part of this process, African countries are looking to improve their investment regimes and more directly link their mining sectors with broader regional and continental industrialization and development plans while supporting greater local transformation, expanding regional infrastructure, and “futureproofing” projects from financial and environmental disruption.  

This session will bring together Heads of State and corporate leaders to discuss the latest developments in improving the investment environment on the ground, progress at the national and continental level integrating companies into global value chains, and innovations in technology and equipment to maximize the potential of mining to advance Africa’s industrialization and development goals. 

Around the world, countries are beginning to explore the process of infrastructure asset recycling, that is, using revenue from existing infrastructure assets such as toll roads, airports, ports, rail, and electricity transmission assets to raise capital to invest in additional, new infrastructure projects.  If African governments master this approach, they will have another tool with which to close other infrastructure gaps their countries face, alleviate sustainability concerns for existing public infrastructure, leverage private sector innovation for improved maintenance and service delivery, and promote future infrastructure projects to foreign investors.  

The session will spotlight Africa50’s asset recycling program by presenting a case study on the Senegambia Bridge and highlighting the vast opportunities on the continent. Through collaboration and sharing best practices, the session aims to inspire governments, government agencies and toll, port or bridge authorities to consider exploring the implementation of asset recycling in their countries.

This high-level dialogue integrates trade policy alignment, sustainable investment strategies, and supply chain optimization to address the interconnected opportunities of market access, agribusiness development, and resilient supply chains in U.S.-Africa agri-food systems. 

Africa’s agri-food sector, employing over 60% of the continent’s workforce and a major contributor to GDP, holds immense potential for modernization, global integration, and enhanced supply chain efficiency. The U.S., with its advanced technology, capital, and expansive consumer market, offers a complementary partnership. This dialogue aims to bridge these strengths, tackling challenges such as market access barriers, value-chain inefficiencies, supply chain disruptions, and investment gaps to drive equitable, sustainable prosperity and strengthen the agri-food supply chain from production to distribution

For many African countries, infrastructure development is as much a national security imperative as it is an economic one. Yet, an annual financing gap exceeding $100 billion persists, making the attraction of (often foreign) investment a top priority for African leaders.  The ability to align infrastructure investments and harness greater financial resources for enhanced regional impact is a rare and valuable opportunity.  

The Lobito Corridor is an example of how to strategically use infrastructure investment to strengthen regional trade routes and create growth clusters that unlock new investment opportunities which will shape the future of African trade and commerce.  Participants in this session will discuss progress made since the early stages of this initiative and highlight new investments that will unlock and drive greater economic growth in the Southern African region and beyond.

Infrastructure development is as much a national security imperative as it is an economic one. With an annual financing gap exceeding $100 billion, infrastructure investment remains a top priority for African leaders. The ability to align infrastructure investments and harness greater financial resources for enhanced regional impact is a rare and valuable opportunity.  

Beyond the development of strategic infrastructure, the Lobito Corridor is strengthening regional trade routes and creating growth clusters to unlock new investment opportunities that will shape the future of African trade and commerce. This session will discuss progress made from the early stage of this initiative and highlight new investments that will unlock and drive greater economic growth in the region and beyond.

Around the world, countries are using tools, technologies, satellites, and data located in or derived from outer space to transform various sectors of their economies.  Whether for mining critical minerals efficiently and safely, identifying petrochemical and other energy resource deposits, precision and traceable agriculture, weather trend modeling, communications, navigation, and education, or urban planning and movements of populations, space is the place where innovative technologies are being tested in outer space for their improvement of outcomes on earth. 

By some estimates, the African space economy is projected to reach $22.64 billion by 2026.  African countries stand to be key players in the global space industry, both driving and leveraging space-driven innovation for transformative economic growth, technological advancement, and sustainable development.  In this panel, private and public stakeholders from the U.S and Africa will discuss opportunities for collaboration in leveraging space-based solutions, and related policy frameworks needed to address Africa’s economic growth and development priorities. 

Companies and governments are working on new power generation approaches, reducing dependence on models that have left 600 million Africans without dependable supplies of electricity.  The focus is increasingly on a range of solutions that will go beyond a “business as usual” approach and focus capital on generation capacity to provide electricity by better leveraging Africa’s own abundant natural resources.  These innovative approaches include: nuclear energy programs ranging from more traditional technologies in Egypt and South Africa to next generation and Small Modular Reactors in Ghana, Morocco, Kenya and Rwanda, wave and offshore thermal conversion technologies, electricity transmission and demand management, and approaches to hydropower.   

This session will bring together corporate leaders and policy makers from Africa and the United States, including institutions like the African Development Bank’s African Natural Resource Centre, to discuss emerging trends and explore opportunities to accelerate commercial developments in this exciting space. 

By 2100, 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities will be in Africa, positioning the continent at the center of global urban growth. With over 950 million Africans expected to live in cities by 2050, urbanization presents both a major challenge and a unique opportunity. 

Cities like Luanda, Lagos, Abidjan, Nairobi, Cairo, and Addis Ababa underscore the urgent need for scalable, inclusive solutions in infrastructure, housing, mobility, and essential services. 

This panel explores key challenges and investment opportunities shaping Africa’s urban future, with a focus on land formalization, urban finance, and community-driven affordable housing. It will highlight how integrated solutions—combining land regularization, urban planning, and financial innovation—can lay the groundwork for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities. 

This plenary will spotlight the transformative role of women leaders in driving innovation, advancing investment opportunities, and influencing policy across the U.S.-Africa trade and investment landscape.  Esteemed female executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers will share insights on how their leadership is fostering inclusive growth, accelerating business innovation, and shaping policies that support sustainable development.  The session will also explore strategies for empowering women in leadership roles, promoting gender equity in decision-making spaces, and unlocking new economic opportunities that benefit both regions

Africa is on the brink of a demographic revolution. Africa's youthful population presents a unique opportunity for transformative growth and development. By 2050, Africa will have a larger workforce than China and India combined, necessitating a significant shift in the quality and caliber of leadership. This burgeoning youth demographic represents an unprecedented opportunity for growth and development. However, it also poses significant challenges that need to be addressed through targeted capacity-building initiatives. 

Cultivating leadership and innovation is essential to meet the rising demand for jobs, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture. This panel will delve into the approaches and programs that are empowering Africa's youth to become ethical, entrepreneurial, and transformative leaders. 

African nations face a growing dilemma: the urgent need for infrastructure development intersects with escalating fiscal challenges. With an annual infrastructure financing gap estimated between $68 billion and $108 billion, governments struggle to secure sustainable funding while managing fiscal pressures. Traditional lenders, including bilateral partners such as China, have scaled back commitments, leaving countries to explore alternative financing models such as geopolitical funds, private sector participation, and domestic debt markets.  This panel discussion will examine innovative solutions to bridge the infrastructure gap while ensuring long-term economic stability.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is at the forefront of critical mineral opportunities in Africa –and ready for takeoff. This is an exceptional moment, as the government is fostering a commercial climate to attract global investment. With major cobalt and copper processing initiatives underway, and infrastructure development advancing through the Lobito Corridor and beyond, the mining sector is poised to drive national growth as never before. These developments are bolstered by robust local financial services, well positioned to assist trade, investment, and business across the mining value chain and in other economic sectors. This panel discussion of the DRC’s growing critical mineral landscape will examine government initiatives designed to attract investment while maximizing national development.    

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Africa’s economy, yet they often struggle to integrate into high-value sectors such as energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure due to challenges like limited access to capital, regulatory complexities, and market entry barriers.  As Africa continues to experience rapid economic growth, unlocking opportunities for SMEs in these critical industries will be essential for driving inclusive and sustainable development.  By strengthening their participation in value chains, SMEs can contribute to local content development, enhance industrial competitiveness, and foster economic resilience. 

This panel will explore practical strategies for financing, scaling, and integrating African SMEs into major value chains.  Discussions will highlight innovative financing solutions, procurement opportunities, and policy reforms that support SME participation in large-scale projects.  Industry leaders, investors, and policymakers will share insights on how SMEs can secure partnerships, leverage technology, and navigate regulatory landscapes to expand their reach and impact

This panel will explore innovative strategies for leveraging collaboration between governments, businesses, and philanthropic organizations to drive sustainable economic growth in Africa. Experts will discuss successful partnership models, funding mechanisms, and policy frameworks that maximize impact, foster inclusive development, and enhance U.S.-Africa trade and investment.

Africa boasts some of the highest entrepreneurship rates globally, with one in five working adults owning a business. In this session, successful African entrepreneurs will share their journeys in building impactful businesses. These ventures operate across key sectors driving innovation, including fintech, agritech, e-commerce, renewable energy, and healthtech, which are currently attracting significant investor interest. While precise continent-wide figures are elusive, it's estimated that African startups raised $2.2 billion in 2024, showcasing the substantial investment appetite in the ecosystem. However, funding can fluctuate year to year. For instance, January 2025 saw a notable surge in funding, reaching $289 million, indicating a potentially positive trend. Innovation is thriving, with solutions ranging from AI-powered agricultural tools and mobile payment platforms to distributed renewable energy solutions and e-learning platforms. The panel will examine the unique challenges and opportunities encountered by African entrepreneurs, showcasing innovative business models, cultural influences, and strategies for fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent. 

Franchising has emerged as a powerful vehicle for wealth creation and economic diversification, offering entrepreneurs access to a proven business model, established brand recognition, and ongoing operational support. This model has demonstrated immense potential in Africa to catalyze economic growth, empower local businesses, and create sustainable employment opportunities.  

For example, the Franchise Association of South Africa reported an increase of 36% increase in franchising business between 2022 and 2023 which represented 15% of the country’s GDP. These statistics underscore the transformative power of franchising in fostering investment.  

This session will delve into the role of franchising as a catalyst for growth, featuring industry leaders from renowned U.S. and African franchise brands. By highlighting franchising's dual role as an economic driver and a tool for empowerment, this session aims to foster sustainable partnerships and long-term success in the African market. 

Africa’s payment ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation, fuelled by digital innovation, regulatory shifts, and a surge in intra-African trade. The sector is projected to expand at an annual rate of 20%, reaching $40 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a 2022 McKinsey report. The rise of mobile money, fintech solutions, and cross-border initiatives like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is making trade more seamless across borders. However, persistent challenges—such as high transaction costs, fragmented financial systems, and limited interoperability—continue to hinder progress.  

As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) takes shape, integrated payment infrastructure will be essential to eliminating trade barriers and driving economic unity. Participants in this panel will discuss the steps necessary to achieve this vision, including regulatory alignment and fintech collaboration, to pave the way for a more connected, efficient, and financially inclusive Africa. 

Major sporting events have consistently proven to be powerful catalysts for economic growth and development across Africa, leaving indelible legacies that extend far beyond the field of play. From the legendary 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle," which generated an estimated $100 million worldwide, to South Africa's transformative 2010 FIFA World Cup, contributing an estimated $3.6 billion to the national economy and creating over 415,000 jobs, these competitions consistently boost tourism, introduce new technologies, and develop critical infrastructure. Most recently, Côte d'Ivoire's successful 2024 African Cup of Nations saw government investment almost $ 1 billion in related infrastructure and tourism, further underscoring the significant financial commitments and returns associated with hosting world-class sporting spectacles. These events not only attract hundreds of thousands of international visitors, but also drive cross-sector capacity building, setting new benchmarks for operational excellence and national development. 

This panel will delve into the multifaceted economic impact of sport, exploring its direct contributions to job creation and its role in fostering innovation across various sectors, including the burgeoning e-sports landscape. The African sports market, currently valued at over $12 billion and projected to exceed $20 billion by 2035, presents immense opportunities. The rapidly growing e-sports market in the Middle East & Africa region alone is expected to reach $190.2 million by 2030, highlighting a dynamic new frontier for economic engagement. Panelists will examine the essential balance between robust physical infrastructure and critical operational elements that underpin successful global sporting events.

Africa has made remarkable strides in a few short years to improve its health security, including increasing the Continent’s capacity to meet its own health needs. African institutions like AUDA-NEPAD and Africa CDC are putting in place programs to boost local production capacity for vaccines, medicines and equipment, complementing the critical efforts to harmonize regulatory approaches across the Continent, including through standing up the African Medicines Agency (AMA).  All of these activities envision working with the private sector to attract more investment and financing for the broader health sector.  To succeed, Africa needs to put in place the right market access measures to allow the African health market to grow sufficiently to support both greater African manufacturing and improved access to more innovative healthcare solutions.  This session will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the continent’s trading ecosystem.  Panelists will examine how the private sector and African governments can collaborate to establish sustainable financing models, incentivize innovation, and create investment-friendly environments.  

By the end of 2024, 48 of the 54 countries that signed the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) had ratified it, and Heads of State had approved landmark protocols on investment, digital trade, and women and youth in trade. Countries are investing in regional and continental value chains, particularly in the four priority sectors identified by the African Union: automotives, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and transportation. Trading companies and investors are already developing regional and continental value chains in these and many other sectors. As these measures position Africa as an increasingly important global economic partner, there is a significant opportunity for new leadership in both the African Union and the United States to chart a course for much stronger trade and investment relations.  

In this session, senior government and company officials from the United States and Africa will share their expectations for the future, building on highlights from sessions throughout the Summit.