The Africa eJournal

President’s Message - January/February/March 2025 eJournal

The first quarter of 2025 has fundamentally reshaped U.S. engagement with Africa and global partners. The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and Paris Accords, dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development and other U.S. government institutions with prominent roles in Africa, and significant shifts in trade policy have prompted the Corporate Council on Africa and our members to carefully assess implications for U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and business partnerships.

My recent trips to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Angola have revealed that despite understandable concerns, there exists remarkable resilience and even optimism that African governments as well as the U.S. and African private sectors can work with the new U.S. government to forge innovative partnerships that will benefit both regions.

Embracing New Leadership

This unique moment features new leadership in both the United States and Africa. CCA has drafted recommendations to the Trump Administration to advocate for American leadership in Africa, counter the influence of competing bilateral partners including China, and highlight opportunities to establish enduring commercial partnerships delivering concrete benefits for American businesses and workers.

It was a tremendous privilege to attend the African Union Leaders Summit, representing CCA’s three-decade commitment to strong U.S.-Africa economic partnerships. A particular highlight was witnessing the election of Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the new AU Commission Chairperson and H.E. João Lourenço, President of Angola, as the 2025 AU Chair. Youssouf, a seasoned diplomat, fluent in five languages, with over two decades of experience, and Lourenço leading the continent in new partnerships with the United States including development of the Lobito Corridor bring a fresh perspective to the AU’s leadership. Their combined diplomatic experience and commitment to new partnerships bring promising perspectives to enhancing Africa’s voice on the global stage and addressing pressing continental challenges such as conflict resolution, a decline in U.S. and other bilateral assistance, and the need for private sector-led growth strategies.

Throughout my travels, meetings with U.S. Ambassadors, Ministers of Economy and Trade, investment agency heads, and the Executive Secretary of UNECA revealed shared optimism for enhanced U.S.-Africa engagement despite the changing landscape.  This “cautious optimism” was also expressed during CCA’s annual “Africa Economic Outlook” event in February featuring Dr. Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for Africa of the World Bank Group, who identified substantial growth opportunities across energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, suggesting pathways for economic advancement despite debt, inflation, and other persistent challenges.

Nigeria:  Showcasing the Power of Partnership

In Nigeria, we were hosted by two former CCA Board members – Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank, and Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chair of the Dangote Group. A dinner with Zenith Bank’s leadership highlighted their expanding financial services across more than a dozen African countries.

The visit to Dangote’s world-class refinery demonstrated African manufacturing excellence and advancement toward processing more resources domestically while increasing African participation in global value chains. The untold success story is how American engineering expertise, advanced technologies, equipment, and even imported U.S. crude oil power its operations – creating a win-win model benefiting both Nigeria and American companies. This collaboration exemplifies the boundless potential of U.S.-Africa trade and investment partnerships.

CCA’s Strategic Initatives

In 2025, CCA is enhancing member value through exclusive programming, beginning with our January launch of the CCA member-only “Premiere Access Series” featuring Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi. Following the Presidential Lobito Corridor Summit, Ambassador Mushingi shared insights on Angola’s economic diversification and emerging opportunities in sectors including renewable energy.

I’ve also represented CCA in several influential forums, including the World Bank’s “Empowering Women in Leadership” series and publishing in the Wilson Center’s 2024 ‘Africa: Year in Review’ a thought piece on the importance of advancing AfCFTA and reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) (Florie Liser CCA Wilson Center Article). I was also delighted to join the Partnership for Security America (PSA) Forum – a gathering of bipartisan, solution-driven, policy and Congressional stakeholders to discuss the next chapter of U.S.-Africa relations.  We tackled the challenges of the U.S.-Africa relationship in the face of a freeze on development assistance, and I emphasized trade and investment – rather than aid – as drivers of prosperity and advocated for immediate and long-term reauthorization of AGOA.

Engagement with African Leaders

We were honored to host Botswana’s newly inaugurated President H.E. Duma Boko at CCA headquarters. Alongside CCA Chairman John Olajide and members, we welcomed President Boko as he outlined his vision for Botswana’s economic transformation through strategic investments in critical minerals, climate-smart agriculture, and infrastructure. We’re delighted he accepted our invitation to the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Angola.

The Road to the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Angola

The upcoming U.S.-Africa Business Summit to be held in Luanda on June 22-25 was central to my discussions with H.E. João Lourenço, President of Angola, during my March visit. President Lourenço and his inter-ministerial team, led by Senior Minister of State for Economic Coordination José Massano, are exceptional partners preparing for this 17th annual Summit. With 2025 marking both President Lourenço’s AU leadership year and Angola’s 50th independence anniversary, the timing could not be more significant.

This Summit presents the first opportunity to connect the new U.S. Trump Administration with African heads of state, ministers, and U.S. and African business leaders to develop a new vision for U.S.-African partnership, especially commercial engagement.

CCA Team Expansion

I’m pleased to welcome two exceptional professionals to our team:

April Wells joins as Senior Advisor, on detail from the State Department’s Senior Foreign Service. With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq and most recently as Deputy Chief of Mission and interim Chargé d’Affaires in Afghanistan, April brings expertise in trade promotion, policy formulation, and strategic communications. Please join me in warmly welcoming April.

Yolanda Nosakhare joins as Director of Member Relations, bringing significant experience from the Department of Defense, State Department, and FBI. As a first-generation Nigerian American, she brings passion and expertise to strengthening U.S.-Africa business relationships through enhanced member engagement and value creation. Join us in welcoming Yolanda and feel free to reach out her at ynosakhare@corporatecouncilonafrica.com.  

Join us in Luanda

With less than 100 days until the U.S.-Africa Business Summit (June 22–25, 2025) in Luanda, Angola, registration is now open at www.usafricabizsummit.com. This pivotal event will advance mutual prosperity between the United States and African partners. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,  

Florizelle Liser
President & CEO
Corporate Council on Africa

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