From July 8 to 10, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center welcomed four African Heads of State—representing Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Senegal, and Mauritania—at its headquarters for business roundtables. Additionally, discussions were held off-site with the President of Liberia.
These meetings occurred during the official visit of these African leaders to Washington for a summit hosted at the White House. The Chamber’s Presidential roundtables facilitated direct engagement between top U.S. business executives and government officials with these African leaders, focusing on fostering mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.
Aligned with the principle of enhancing U.S. economic relations with African partners through “Trade Not Aid,” these five discussions identified actionable opportunities to support White House initiatives aimed at strengthening strategic commercial ties with African nations. The role of U.S. businesses in promoting sustainable growth across the Atlantic was also emphasized.
Guinea-Bissau: Emerging Market with Reform Initiatives
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló portrayed Guinea-Bissau as a promising investment destination, rich in natural resources and on the brink of economic transformation. He outlined ongoing reforms aimed at improving the business environment, such as a revised investment code, simplified regulations, and efforts to enhance governance. U.S. companies were encouraged to explore early opportunities in agriculture, tourism, and extractive industries.
Gabon: Infrastructure as a Growth Engine
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema presented Gabon’s industrialization strategy, focusing on major infrastructure and energy projects. The Mayumba deep-water port and the Belinga-Mayumba railway—intended to connect the Belinga mining site to the port—were highlighted as key projects to boost regional trade and mineral exports.
Sectors recommended for U.S. investment include critical minerals, energy, agriculture, and the digital economy. Discussions emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving Gabon’s long-term development. Building on a previous Chamber-hosted roundtable in October, President Oligui Nguema noted Vaalco Energy’s new investments in the energy sector and highlighted Cybastion’s recent agreement to accelerate digital transformation.
Liberia: The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of Liberia outlined his national development plan, known as the “ARREST” Agenda, which focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. This initiative aims to modernize infrastructure, strengthen governance, and enhance human capital to attract private sector investment.
The dialogue centered on critical mineral exploration, agricultural modernization, and logistics infrastructure, with President Boakai calling for U.S. expertise in geological surveys to unlock Liberia’s mineral potential. Discussions also reinforced Liberia’s commitment to transparency and regulatory reforms, positioning it as one of West Africa’s most promising markets.
Senegal: Vision 2050
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye discussed Senegal’s Vision 2050, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to bold, business-friendly reforms. Key initiatives include updating the investment code, simplifying customs procedures, and improving regulatory clarity to attract greater foreign direct investment.
Opportunities were explored in Senegal’s energy, agriculture, critical minerals, and digital sectors, with a focus on youth engagement and workforce development. The Chamber announced plans to publish a Senegal Investment Guide, offering U.S. businesses practical insights into the country’s economic landscape.
Mauritania: A Strategic Gateway to Regional Markets
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani described Mauritania as a strategic hub connecting Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, supported by political stability and an investor-friendly legal framework. Opportunities were highlighted for U.S. firms in fisheries, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, and tourism.
President Ghazouani highlighted pro-business reforms, including customs and tax incentives and favorable treatment for foreign investors, which have enhanced the country’s appeal as a regional trade and energy hub. He invited U.S. companies to join the successful partnership between BP and Kosmos Energy in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project. With both ministerial and business delegations present, U.S. companies had direct discussions with technical leaders and potential partners to build future business linkages.
Turning Dialogue into Action
By aligning U.S. business interests with the reform agendas of Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Liberia, Senegal, and Mauritania, these discussions laid the groundwork for new U.S. investments and business partnerships across Africa.
Looking ahead, deal origination, sovereign risk mitigation, and blended finance structuring will be essential to transforming these dialogues into viable projects. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce remains committed to deepening U.S.-Africa ties and promoting sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits both regions.
— News Original —
Strengthening U.S.-Africa Economic Ties at the Highest Level
On July 8 and 10, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center was honored to host four African Heads of State — from Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Senegal, and Mauritania — at the Chamber’s headquarters for business roundtables, and participated in an off-site meeting with the President of Liberia.
Convened during the official visit of these African Heads of State to Washington for a summit at the White House, the Chamber’s Presidential roundtables provided the opportunity for top business executives and U.S. government officials to directly engage in constructive discussions with these leaders on advancing mutually beneficial commercial opportunities.
Reinforcing the ethos of expanding U.S. economic relations with African partners through “Trade Not Aid,” these five meaningful conversations delivered actionable opportunities to advance White House efforts to foster strategic commercial engagement with African leaders and highlighted the role of U.S. business in building sustainable growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
Guinea-Bissau: Pioneering Reforms and Untapped Potential
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló presented Guinea-Bissau as a frontier investment market, rich in natural resources and on the verge of economic transformation. President Embaló explained his government’s ongoing business-friendly reforms, including a modernized investment code, streamlined regulations, and renewed efforts to enhance governance. U.S. companies were urged to seize early-mover advantages in agriculture, tourism, and extractive industries.
Gabon: Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Growth
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema outlined Gabon’s industrialization blueprint, centered around substantial infrastructure and energy projects. The Mayumba deep-water port and the Belinga-Mayumba railway—set to connect the Belinga mining site to the port—were described as strategic anchor projects that will expand regional trade and accelerate mineral exports.
Key sectors recommended for U.S. investment include critical minerals, energy, agriculture, and the digital economy, with discussions highlighting how public-private partnerships are a driving force behind Gabon’s long-term development strategy. Building on the executive roundtable the Chamber hosted in October, President Oligui Nguema highlighted Vaalco Energy’s new investments in the energy sector and touted the successful commercial deal recently inked by Cybastion to accelerate digital transformation.
Liberia: The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of Liberia detailed his national development plan, or his ambitious “ARREST” Agenda, which seeks to transform Liberia through an emphasis on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. This strategy aims to modernize infrastructure, strengthen governance, and enhance human capital to attract private sector investment.
The dialogue focused on critical mineral exploration, agricultural modernization, and logistics infrastructure, with President Boakai calling for U.S. expertise in conducting geological surveys to unlock the full scale of Liberia’s mineral wealth. The discussions also reinforced Liberia’s commitment to transparency and regulatory reforms, which are positioning it as one of West Africa’s most promising markets.
Senegal: Vision 2050
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye spoke on Senegal’s Vision 2050, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to bold, business-friendly reforms. Key initiatives include modernizing the investment code, streamlining customs procedures, and strengthening regulatory clarity to facilitate greater foreign direct investment.
Discussions explored opportunities in Senegal’s energy, agriculture, critical minerals, and digital sectors, with a focus on youth engagement and workforce development. The Chamber also announced that Senegal will be the focus of a forthcoming Senegal Investment Guide, designed to provide U.S. businesses with practical insights into the country’s economic landscape.
Mauritania: A Strategic Gateway to Regional Markets
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani described Mauritania as a gateway economy connecting Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, anchored by political stability and an investor-friendly legal framework. Discussions highlighted opportunities for U.S. firms in fisheries, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, and tourism.
President Ghazouani also touted pro-business reforms, including customs and tax incentives and positive treatment of foreign investors, which have strengthened the country’s appeal as a regional trade and energy hub. He invited U.S. companies to join the successful partnership that BP and Kosmos Energy have built with Mauritania and Senegal in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project. Joined by both a ministerial and business delegation, U.S. companies were able to have direct discussions with technical leaders and potential partners to build business linkages for future commercial partnerships.
Turning Dialogue into Action
By aligning U.S. business interests with the reform agendas of Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Liberia, Senegal, and Mauritania, these discussions set the stage for new U.S. investments and business partnerships across Africa.
Looking forward, deal origination, sovereign risk mitigation, and blended finance structuring will be critical to translating these dialogues into bankable projects. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce remains committed to deepening U.S.-Africa ties and driving sustainable, inclusive growth, advancing shared prosperity and mutual benefit for the U.S. and Africa.