Trade Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Murray
stressed the role of power in driving increased investment in Africa, as well
as the Department of Commerce’s commitment to facilitating trade and investment
by U.S. companies in Africa.
Honored
guests included Niger Minister of Commerce for Promotion of the Private Sector,
Alma Oumarou and Rwanda Former Minister of Infrastructure, Professor Silas
Lwakabamba. Also, three business delegation leaders from Secretary Pritzker’s
May 2014 West Africa Trade Mission attended: Yolanda Parker of The Parker Group
LLC, Kevon Makell and David Ellis of SEWW Energy.The highlight of the program
was a roundtable discussion featuring a panel of CEOs of private-sector
developers and lenders with additional contribution from the African government
delegates in attendance.

President
Obama has called Africa “the world's next great economic success story.”
According to the African Development Bank, Africa maintained an average GDP
growth rate ofspurring economic growth, trade, and investment;
advancing peace and security; and promoting opportunity and development.

Doing Business in Africa: As part of the
Strategy, the Department of Commerce launched the Doing Business in Africa Campaign, which
has helped U.S. businesses take advantage of the many export and investment
opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the campaign, Commerce has
expanded trade promotion programs tailored toward Africa and dedicated an
online Africa business portal directing businesses to federal resources.

Commercial Service expansion: To expand
Commerce’s human resources footprint in Africa, Secretary Pritzker recently
announced the opening of new
U.S. Commercial Service offices across the continent. The U.S. Commercial
Service helps U.S. businesses start exporting or increase sales to new global
markets. By expanding its Commercial Service teams in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco,
and Libya, and opening offices in Angola, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mozambique
for the