Summary Of The U.S. Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction

Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, the largest free trade areas, and diverse ecosystems. This strategy reframes the region’s importance to US national security interests. It calls for developing a deeper bench of partners and a more flexible regional architecture. US policy priorities include promoting democracy and governance, peace and security, trade and investment, and development.

Strategic Objectives

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States will pursue four goals:

  • Foster Openness and Open Societies
  • Deliver Democratic and Security Dividends
  • Advance Pandemic Recovery and Economic Opportunity
  • Support Conservation, Climate Adaption, and a Just Energy Transition

Foster Openness and Open Societies

The US is vested in ensuring that the region remains open and accessible to all. Open societies are more likely to collaborate with the US, attract more US commerce and investment, and implement policies that better the lives of their residents.

  • The United States will collaborate with African governments, civil society, and the public to strengthen openness and accountability, mainly through investigative journalism, countering digital authoritarianism, and enshrining laws, reforms, and practices that promote shared democratic principles.
  • The United States will increase its focus on rule of law, justice, and dignity to deepen resilience and undercut negative influences
  • The United States will support African countries in leveraging their natural resources more transparently, particularly energy and essential minerals, for sustainable development while also assisting to strengthen diversified, open, and predictable supply chains.

Deliver Democratic and Security Dividends

The region’s willingness and ability to revitalize its democracies and foresee, avoid, and address emergent and long-running conflicts can lead to better outcomes for Africans and Americans.

  • The United States will seek to stem the recent tide of authoritarianism & military takeovers by working with allies and partners in the region.
  • The United States will support African democracies by backing civil society, empowering marginalized groups, and centering the voices of women and youth in reform efforts.
  • The United States will focus its diplomatic efforts, leverage its development programs, and use its defense tools to strengthen and enable partners to respond to the drivers of conflict across the region.
  • The United States will prioritize counterterrorism (CT) resources to reduce the threat from terrorist groups to the U.S. Homeland, persons, and diplomatic and military facilities, directing unilateral capability only where lawful and where the threat is most acute.

Advance Pandemic Recovery and Economic Opportunity

It is critical to address two of the region’s most important issues: the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social ramifications. The United States is dedicated to collaborating with African governments and international partners to help African economies become more stable and inclusive.

  • The United States will prioritize policies and programs, as well as strengthen existing partnerships, to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance health security
  • The United States will strengthen global supply chains to increase preparedness for the next health threat; address challenges in procuring and delivering vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics; support manufacturing initiatives for vaccines and other medical countermeasures.
  • The United States will work with African countries to promote a stronger growth trajectory and debt sustainability, including by leveraging multilateral institutions, global partners, and international initiatives, to support the region’s economic recovery.
  • The United States will assist in rebuilding human capital and food systems that have been severely undermined due to the pandemic and the impact of Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

Support Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Transition

Africa’s efforts to conserve and restore the continent’s ecosystems and rich natural resources— while also realizing energy access and energy security goals, diversifying its energy mix, and building sustainable supply chains—are central to tackling the global climate crisis.

  • The United States will partner with African governments, civil society, and local communities to conserve, manage, and restore the continent’s rich natural ecosystems, which can help reduce global carbon emissions and dampen climate change impacts.
  • The United States will assist African countries in adapting to and building resilience to climate change. The United States will continue collaborating with African states vulnerable to climate
    change.
  • The United States will encourage governments to undertake critical reforms to enable transparent and world-class investment in the region’s essential minerals under the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE).
  • The United States will continue pursuing public-private partnerships to sustainably develop and secure the critical minerals that will supply clean energy technologies needed to facilitate the global energy transition.

The Approach

This new strategy will spur us to refocus, renew, and strengthen existing programs, as well as recommend and develop new initiatives. Here is how it is going to be done.

  • The United States will continue to work with Africans to address shared global concerns and thrive in a more connected, urban, and youthful area.
  • The US will work with African allies to ease legal trade and travel.
  • Across Sub-Saharan Africa, we will create a digital ecosystem based on open, dependable, interoperable, and secure internet and information and communication technology.
  • The US will assist African cities in planning for future expansion in vital sectors such as energy access, climate change adaptation, transportation, and water and waste management.

Conclusion

US President Joe Biden: “We recognize that we have vital interests in common, and our path toward progress rests on a commitment to working together. “Biden noted that “none of this is going to be easy” but affirmed, “there is no doubt that our nations – we’re up to this task.”

 

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Promoting Trade and Investment: Minnesota-Ghana Business Roundtable and Business Reception

In collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, AmCham Ghana, on Thursday, July 7, 2022, hosted the Minnesota-Ghana Business Roundtable and a business reception in honor of the visiting trade delegation from the US state of Minnesota.

The trade delegation was led by Minnesota Africans United, with support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The delegates included business leaders from various sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, ICT, and renewable energy. They were in the country to explore possible partnerships to bolster trade and investment between the state of Minnesota and Ghana.

Speaking at the business roundtable, the CEO of Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Mike Oquaye Jnr. stated that the free zones authority is diversifying with more focus on companies with foreign markets by providing incentives to drive production. “The Ghana Free Zones Authority used to concentrate mainly on exemptions for export, but now we are looking at a different future, and that future is giving incentives, monetary and non-monetary to companies that have foreign markets. So that is the exact kind of delegation that’s here.”

Dr. Mike Oquaye Jnr. reiterated the authority’s readiness to assist companies to establish their businesses in the country and encouraged the delegation to explore opportunities in the Agricultural sector as there are a lot of incentives that make for mutual benefits. He also noted the importance of US companies in the various industrial parks in the country. “Wherever we have had American companies as anchor tenants, we have been able to scale up in no time,” he added.

Yofi Grant,  CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, said Ghana is in the middle of the world and provides a 360-degree view, putting the country in a perfect position as the logistics hub of the world. He also noted the relevance of adding value to raw materials hence the government’s focus on manufacturing through its ‘One District One Factory‘ initiative.

He noted that Ghana’s peace, stability, and constitution that prohibits expropriation serve as security and assurance to investors that their interests are protected.

Other speakers at the roundtable included Kofi Adams from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, AmCham Ghana Executive Secretary, Simon Madjie, President and CEO of Minnesota Africans United, Basil Ajuo, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Patrice Bailey, and Laurie Kelleher, Commercial Officer, at the U.S. Embassy Ghana.

The Chamber also hosted the visiting delegates for a business reception to allow Chamber members to network and establish possible business relations.

The delegation from Minnesota included Ben Dossman from Bija Bonanicals, Micheal Birchard, VP for Diversity and Inclusion at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Alexandra Spieldoch, CEO of Bountifeild Harvest, Samuel Ngwa, President and CEO of Dessco and Safari Pride, Brian Plourde, Founder of Lema Power, Richard Ayuk from Lema Power, Martin Akinseye from Concept Media, and Isaac Owens.

2022 US – Ghana Business Forum | Leveraging AfCFTA to Promote U.S-Africa Commercial Partnerships

The U.S Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, will organize the 3rd high-level meeting between US and Ghanaian Government Officials and Businesses on the official visit of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves. The U.S.-Business Forum is aimed at deepening diplomatic and commercial partnerships between Ghana and the United States for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). The theme for the 2022 U.S.-Ghana Business Forum is: “Leveraging the AfCFTA to Promote U.SAfrica Commercial Partnerships.” This event is in line with the drive by the AfCFTA Secretariat to engage the private sector, the African diaspora, and other strategic partners for the effective implementation of the Agreement.

When: Thursday, June 16th, 2022
Time: 9:00am-1:30pm
Where: Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra

Click Here To Register

The forum will have plenary sessions with high-level government officials as speakers; and panel discussions on pertinent topics including Customs Modernization and Supply Chain Solutions to Promote Manufacturing Within the AfCFTA Zone; and Building Sustainable Digital Economy as a driver and an enabler for successful implementation of the AfCFTA.

Speakers at the forum include Honorable Ken Ofori-Atta (Minister of Finance) Deputy Secretary Don Graves (U.S Department of Commerce) Deputy Assistant Secretary Akuna Cook (U.S Department of State) Scott Eisner (President -U. S-Africa Business Center of the U.S Chamber of Commerce) Ayesha Bedwei IBE (President- American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana) and captains of the U.S-Ghana business community. The 2022 Forum aims to strengthen trade and investment, promote business partnerships, and opportunities between U.S. and Ghanaian businesses and review the manufacturing and digital sectors as enablers for the implementation of the single market project in Africa. At the end of the conference, it is expected that U.S.-Ghana commercial partnership will be projected and enhanced, focused on improving the investment climate in Ghana and the African continent.

Participants will be brought up to date on the latest trends in trade and investment on the continent and will have the opportunity to share their experiences and identify specific investment opportunities for future transactions. The Forum is organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ghana U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S Embassy in Accra.

Africa Development Bank(AfDB) Financing Options and Strategies for Projects in Ghana

The Chamber, on May 26, 2022, hosted , Senior Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank Group, and Elvire Yéré Kodio, MBA, Commercial Specialist to the African Development Bank, for discussions on the bank’s priority areas and strategy in Ghana and also how companies can properly position themselves to engage the bank.

The meeting was on the sidelines of AfDB’s 2022 Annual Meetings held in Accra.

Ashley Ndir presented the 0pportunities for U.S. companies, steps companies must follow for a successful engagement with the bank, and AfDB’s strategy for Ghana.

The AfDB Group provides assistance through two main windows – the African Development Bank (AfDB), which lends at market-based rates, and the African Development Fund (ADF), which provides grants and concessional financing to the least developed countries of the continent. The Bank also manages Trust Funds. ​

Opportunities available at the bank includes Project Procurement, which allows the country’s government to borrow funds from the AfDB Group for a public works project (goods, works, services), Corporate Procurement, with this AfDB Group itself, runs a competition for services, goods and works for its internal needs, and finally, Private Sector Financing, this allows the U.S. and other AfDB member country private sector firms partner with AfDB Private Sector Operations on financing solutions in support of private sector activities.​

The AfDB has provided financing for projects in various sectors of the Ghanaian economy, including the transport and Agricultural sectors, with the majority of funding.

This event was held in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and the U.S. Commercial Service.

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AmCham Ghana Meets With The New US Ambassador To Ghana

AmCham Ghana, on Monday, May 23, 2022, hosted the new U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, at the AmCham secretariate.

The Ambassador met with the AmCham Ghana President, Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, and the Board of Directors for discussions on protecting and promoting the interest of U.S. companies as well as collaborating more on issues of mutual interest to further strengthen relations between Ghana and the United States.

Ambassador Palmer reaffirmed her commitment to working with the Chamber in creating a favorable business environment.

Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer was previously Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at the Department of State, overseeing U.S. foreign policy engagement at the critical intersection of our energy, climate, and national security goals.  She took up that post after serving as Deputy Commandant of the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School.

Also present at the meeting were AmCham Ghana Vice President, Pakwo Shum, Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Dean Matlack, AmCham Ghana Board Members, including Adiki Ayitevie, Doris Afanyedey, Sulemana Abubakar, Philip Ayivor, AmCham Ghana Membership, External Relations and Project Manager, Jane Okyere-Aduachie, Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Stephanie Hutchison, and Commercial Officer, Laurie Kelleher.

AmCham Ghana Signs MoU With Emory University And The Global African Partners

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emory University’s Emory Development Initiative (EDI), an Atlanta, Georgia-based private university established in 1836, and the Global African Partners (GAP) to facilitate trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The parties will collaborate to offer virtual and in-person certificated corporate executive training programs granted under Emory University and the EDI on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and African trade, primarily targeting the U.S, African private sector, and non-profit professionals seeking understanding and implications of the AfCFTA, headquartered in Accra.

The parties will also collaborate on joint research and grant proposals on subjects related to U.S-Africa economic and cultural engagement and areas of common interest.

The parties of this MoU are AmCham Ghana AfCFTA Resource Center – An American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana initiative dedicated to breaching the information gap for U.S and International businesses on the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, EDI– an Emory University initiative that promotes economic growth and development across emerging and developing economies through courses, events, and external projects, GAP – an advisory and consulting firm bridging the cultural and economic gap between Africa and the Global market through trade and investment facilitation based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Emory University was represented by Dr. Sam Cherribi, Director of the EDI, Matilda Arhin represented the GAP, and Simon Madjie, Executive Director, represented the AmCham AfCFTA Resource Center.

 

About AmCham Ghana

The Chamber is the representative arm of U.S. businesses and subsidiaries voluntarily working to create an environment where business can thrive between Ghanaian and American communities. AmCham exists to promote commercial, economic, educational, and cultural ties between the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana. The chamber is an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is the world’s largest business association with over one million members worldwide.

About Emory University

Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1836 as “Emory College” by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of Methodist bishop John Emory, Emory is the second-oldest private institution of higher education in Georgia.

 

AmCham Ghana and U.S. Embassy Ghana Launch SelectUSA Summit Recruitment

AmCham Ghana, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, on Monday, April 25, 2022, hosted a business breakfast for entrepreneurs and business executives to share valuable insight on investing in the United States through the SelectUSA Program.

The event featured remarks from AmCham Ghana President, Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, who noted the importance of Ghanaian companies expanding into the American market and reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to promoting investment and prosperity between the United States and Ghana.

Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, including Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Stephanie Hutchison and Commercial Counselor Dean Matlack, also highlighted the available U.S. Government resources for investors, the United States’ strong culture of innovation, the country’s business environment, labor force, diversity of industries, and lucrative domestic consumer market.

Dean Matlack will lead the Ghanaian delegation to the SelectUSA Summit, which will be held on June 26-29, 2022, in Washington, DC.  He encouraged interested Ghanaian companies to sign up for this major networking event, if not this year, then next.

PwC, Kimanthi and Partners, and McDan Shipping and Logistics discussed market entry considerations, legal aspects of foreign direct investment, and the logistics of moving goods to support investments abroad.  United Airlines highlighted its services for travelers to the SelectUSA Summit.

This event was sponsored by  PwC Ghana, United Airlines, and MCDan Shipping Company Ltd.

For more information about attending the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the SelectUSA Program, and investing in the United States, please visit the U.S. Embassy website section for businesses and investors: https://gh.usembassy.gov/business/getting-started-usa/.

Credit: https://gh.usembassy.gov/

 

AmCham Ghana Hosts First Franchise Committee Meeting

The Chamber, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, hosted the first AmCham Ghana Franchise Committee meeting at the secretariat.

Discussions were on helping franchisees secure funding and investment for their operations in the country. The committee members who are franchise holders also shared some of their challenges in doing business in Ghana and suggested measures that could help improve the business environment for franchisees.

The AmCham Ghana Franchise Committee is an AmCham Ghana initiative supported by the  U.S. Commercial Service in Ghana and chaired by Ashok Mohinani, Executive Director of Mohinani Group which also owns all the KFC franchises in Ghana. The committee’s membership includes executives from AVIS, FedEx, Interbrand Ghana, UPS, Orkin, Dominos Pizza, Burger King, and Original American Cola.

The franchise committee aims to help build a profitable franchise ecosystem in Ghana by promoting successful franchises and advocating for laws and policies that will improve the ease of doing business for franchisees.

Implications of AfCFTA for International Businesses

The AmCham AfCFTA Resource Centre, under the auspices of the Ameican Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Tuesday, March 8, hosted Dode Seidu, a trade advisor and AfCFTA consultant for the first edition of the webinar series on the implications of African Continental Free Trade Area agreement for international businesses.

The event provided an overview of the trade agreement and updates on its implication. Our speaker also touched on the Rules of Origin and its benefits for International Businesses and provided insight into AfCFTA in the context of intra-Africa trade.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement creates the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries participating. The pact is said to connect 1.3 billion people across 54 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion.

The trade agreement aims to create a single market for goods and services, facilitated by the movement of persons to deepen the economic integration of the African continent. So far, 28 countries have made Tariff Offers that have been certified by the AfCFTA Secretariat as having met the minimum threshold requirement of 90% of the tariff lines and ready to commence trading under AfCFTA.

As to the implications for international business, the mutual recognition of standards, licensing, and certification of service suppliers will make it easier for businesses and individuals to satisfy the regulatory requirements of operating in each other’s markets. Also, the dispute settlement mechanism provides a rule-based avenue for the resolution of any disputes that may arise between State Parties in the application of the agreement.

Watch the full event below.

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AmCham Ghana 25th PwC Annual Global CEO Survey Digest

The Chamber, on March 1, 2022, hosted Richard Ansong, Partner at PwC Ghana, for a webinar on the recently released 25th PwC Annual Global CEO Survey titled Reimagining the Outcomes that Matter. The webinar was to break down the survey findings to provide insight into what global CEOs make of the business year ahead as businesses gradually recover from the pandemic.

The 2022 Global CEO Survey reflects the threats, uncertainties, and tensions associated with the pandemic and other issues such as cyberattacks and macroeconomic shock. Over the past 25 years, PwC has had the privilege to gather insight and sentiment of CEOs around the world to analyze and provide some perspective as to what is most important and works most for these CEOs.

The survey was conducted in October and November of 2021, and in aggregate, CEO optimism has remained stable, and high. About 77% of executives said they expect global economic growth to improve during the year ahead, an uptick of one percentage point from the previous survey (conducted in January and February of 2021) and the highest figure on record since 2012.

Watch the full webinar below.