Delegates Convene for #USAfricaBizSummit 2023 in Gaborone

More than 1,000 high-level government and private sector leaders from across Africa and the United States are gathering this week in Gaborone for the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Government of Botswana. With a focus on “enhancing Africa’s value chains”, the three days of plenaries and panels will include a focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and opportunities for investment as trade barriers are removed.

CCA President and CEO Florizelle (Florie) Liser said this year’s gathering is timely coming seven months after the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit convened by President Joe Biden in Washington, DC in December, and the rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Liser calls AfCFTA “a game changer” and the key to boosting both trade both within the continent as globally. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

After doing the last one in Morocco, we thought it was important to host one in southern Africa [and] present the opportunities there. Botswana represents a smaller country doing the right things – investing in its people, using its diamond resources to build infrastructure. This is a way to highlight that there are countries across the continent, including some smaller economies, that U.S. companies – our members and others – need to take a look at. Another unique aspect of this summit – coming seven months after the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit – is that it offers an opportunity for the U.S. government to continue on the path of building a stronger relationship with Africa.