On Monday, February 13, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Akunna Cook and Prosper Africa Acting COO Leslie Marbury are expected travel to Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia on a Prosper Africa Economic Diplomacy delegation, where they will engage with entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and government officials to drive U.S. economic engagement with Africa. We would like to ensure the trip is informed by and furthers private sector priorities in these markets,  to promote trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Africa. While the four-country itinerary will be focused on promoting Prosper Africa with an emphasis on the creative economy and green energy, they have several high-level meetings where other issues may be discussed. The USAfBC has been given an opportunity to convene a Priorities Dialogue and also prepare one pagers of industry issues in each of the four countries on their itinerary.

Expected Travel itinerary:

• Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) – Creative Economy
• Kenya (Nairobi) – Creative Economy
• South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town) – Creative Economy
• Namibia (Windhoek) – Energy, Green hydrogen

We invite members to a Priorities Dialogue with the delegation and to contribute to a short briefing the U.S.-Africa Business Center will prepare for the delegation on key issues and considerations in each market. Ahead of the meeting, please send us a paragraph of any market issues, observations or policy concerns your company may have in these countries. Enter your input through the Submission link above or send via email to Kendra Gaither (kgaither@uschamber.com) and Emana Shunnom (eshunnom@uschamber.com) by Tuesday, February 8.