New York City, September 6, 2024 – www.usafricabusinessweek.org

In a significant move to continue enhancing export and import trade relations between the United States and Africa, the USAfrica Business Week is set to return to New York City from Monday, September 16 to Monday, September 23, 2024, in New York City, marking its seventh edition.

Over the past six editions, the event has facilitated numerous successful business partnerships, attracted high-profile speakers, and received positive feedback from participants, making it a trusted platform for fostering U.S.-African trade relations. The unique selling points of the event include its focus on African non-oil exports, the diverse range of attendees it attracts, and the high-profile speakers and government representatives who participate.

This prestigious event, to be held at the Millenium Hilton, UN Plaza, on the sidelines of UNGA, is more than just a trade event. It also serves as an enabling arena where opportunities are created, deals are made, and different government bodies engage in fostering a thriving U.S.-African bilateral relationship.

With this year’s theme, “Bridging Continents, Empowering Trade,” USAfrica Business Week is a multi-day event that celebrates U.S.-African diaspora culture, fashion, and cuisine while unlocking boundless opportunities for enterprises, individuals, small businesses, emerging markets, and start-ups.

For the third year, the Honorable Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, will play host and has been a consistent supporter of initiatives to promote African export into the U.S. market. Last year, Mayor Adams led four leaders of his administration in unveiling the  “New York Open for Business: Trade and Investment Opportunities with Africa. He also gave a proclamation of the USAFRICA BUSINESS WEEK as a regional event in New York for the People of African descent, African Immigrants, and African Diaspora in New York City and those on the continent. 

The event is expected to attract a diverse range of attendees, including entrepreneurs, small business owners, professionals, Africans in the Diaspora, people of African descent, government representatives, development and trade partners, MSMEs, investors, off-takers, distributors, agencies, parastatals, political and diplomatic leaders from 54 African countries.

As the only B2B and B2G event during UNGA, it is committed to bringing opportunities in Africa and the U.S. together to help find the right people, funding, and Market for success. 

Four African countries are expected to present during the Doing Business in Africa spotlight sessions, which include Nigeria, Kenya, 

Highlights:

• Insightful keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and engaging conversations with inspirational guest speakers.
• Networking opportunities with businesses, top executives, diplomats, and like-minded individuals to identify new opportunities
• High-level engagements and connections at the local, national, and international levels for collaborations and connections

Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network, highlighted the organization’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by African exporters. “We are committed to providing market access for those looking to source African products and the African diaspora in importing products from verified and reliable businesses in Africa looking to scale and, in turn, prosper through white labelling, building equity in the long run.” Our approach is different; we provide crucial resources such as warehousing, logistics support, and direct engagement with key buyers in the US market,” Omotayo said.

The USAfrica Business Week will feature sessions by relevant government and industry experts, critical business and trade workshops, networking sessions, B2B matchmaking, and access to relevant vendors in the exhibitor hall.

Some partners and exhibitors include Berkeley College, The Bizio, Office of the NYC Mayor, The Nigerian Consulate, Federal Government of Nigeria, Tijani Tech, EXIM Bank, Department of tate, Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), and more.

For more information, in-person participation, registration, exhibition, and sponsorship, please visit www.usafricabusinessweek.org, email info@usafricabusinessweek.org, or contact +1 (908) 540 6642

Further Readings:

USAfrica Business Week Press Release

Unlocking New Opportunities: USAfrica Business Expo returns to Newark, New Jersey, for its 5th Edition in March 2023.

NEW YORK, NY January 10, 2023 — USAfrica Trade and Business Network is pleased to announce the fifth edition of the USAfrica Business Expo, a hybrid event on the margins of the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women (UNCSW67) featuring a Pre-orientation tour, Conference, Exhibition, & Participation in select UN events and will hold from Tuesday 7th, March to Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Marriott International Airport Hotel, Newark, New Jersey.

The USAfrica Business Expo Week is a B2B Trade Show, Conference & Networking event that will have a line-up of diverse and world-class speakers, relevant Government & Industry Experts in attendance for critical business & trade workshops to kick-start collaboration, relevant networking Sessions that create new opportunities, Display opportunities, and access to relevant resources in the Exhibitor Hall, a Fun, High-Energy & Collaborative Environment, and B2B Matchmaking with a potential investor, Franchisor or Partner.

The Expo, under the theme “Advancing International Trade through the Export and Prosper Program for US and African MSMEs,” aims to improve the trade relations between the United States and Africa. It will bring together Government Officials, Diplomats, and Private Sector practitioners from 193 member States attending the UNCSW67 and offers enormous leverage for navigation to International markets and an enabling arena where opportunities are created, deals are made, and where different government bodies engage for thriving business relations and trade cooperation. 

“We are honored to host this event during the UNCSW67 to provide a platform, especially for women-owned businesses, to connect and engage in meaningful business opportunities. We believe that the Export and Prosper Program will play a vital role in driving economic growth and prosperity for US and African female entrepreneurs,” said Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director USAfrica Trade and Business Network. 

The Export and Prosper Program aims to support U.S. and African MSMES in expanding their international trade by providing access to resources, networks, and support services. The program will focus on helping businesses identify potential customers, suppliers, and partners and provide training and mentoring on export-related topics. “The core of our organization is to help MSMEs harness the Export and Prosper Program at this edition of the USAfrica Business Expo. Our goal is to connect the US and African MSMEs with the resources they need to expand their international trade and drive economic growth and prosperity,” said Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network.

For over six years, The USAfrica Trade and Business Network has hosted multiple events at the UN to connect organizations and enterprises with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities. Many connections made at these events have led to long-term relationships and strategic partnerships. USAfrica Trade and Business Network will ensure the Expo offers an experience of the same unrivaled energy and quality that it has become known for, specifically in networking experience, expo booths, demo presentations, and workshops. 

This edition will bring together 100+ small business owners, Investors, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Top Govt Leaders & Senior Execs, top business executives, Franchisees, Exporters and Manufacturers, and Senior Business, Political, and Diplomatic leaders. 

For more information, in-person participation, registration, exhibition, and sponsorship, 

please visit https://www.usafricabusinessexpo.com/, email partner@usafricahub.com, or contact +1 (917) 826 3566

New York City Mayor, Eric L. Adams Declares New York Open for Business with Africa at the USAfrica Business Expo During the 77th General Assembly in New York

NEW YORK, NY September 16, 2022 — On September 16, the eve of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), Mayor Eric L. Adams – 11th Mayor of New York, delivered the Keynote address on “New York Open for Business: Trade and Investment Opportunities with Africa” at the USAfrica Business Expo — a B2B trade show, conference, award & networking event aimed at helping African businesses expand into international markets and equally connect business owners to resources needed to be successful.

Mayor Eric Adams, New York City International Relations commissioner Mr. Edward Mermelstein, and his deputy, Mr. Dilip Chauhan, unveiled New York City’s plan for economic recovery through NYC – Africa export-import trade and Sister City Agenda. This address was made to a section of Head of Missions, UN Agencies, Captains of Industry, Development & Trade Partners, MSMEs, Investors, and Political & Diplomatic Leaders from across the continent of Africa and the five boroughs of New York. 

“This UNGA UN General Assembly week was so important and significant to me. I couldn’t wait for the opportunity of ensuring that I can reconnect with the African diaspora. Throughout my travels to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and all the places that I went to reconnect with my ancestors personally, just to get the spiritual energy, I knew that this opportunity was a significant one,” said Mayor Eric Adams, who has continued to build a prosperous relationship with the African continent. 

Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network, spoke about the USAfrica Business Week, highlighting that at a UN Event the previous day, they engaged in a discussion on AfCFTA, the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is a market of 1.3 billion of people without any frontiers, no limitations or barriers and this is why the vision of the USAfrica trade and business network is to help the emerging African market by facilitating the trade agreement between Africa and the United States.

Before the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, America had traded with many countries and established significant relationships, but it seemed that Africa had been left off of the conversation. “Africa has been ignored…every other country allows people to leave their country, come to America, use their political strength, economic strength, and know-how to go back to their country and build that country. We have not done that. That day ended on January 1, 2022, when I became the mayor of New York City,” declared Mayor Eric Adams. “Right now, you have the most important city in the most important country, some would say, on the globe. Now you have the mayor, who’s the Mayor of African ancestry, and that door of no return has been opened, and we will return and build back our relationships. We cannot squander or waste the moment,” added Mayor Eric Adams.

Mr. Edward Mermelstein, International Affairs Commissioner for New York City, highlighted that this is a very different administration from previous administrations by saying, “we are here to engage the international community, especially with Mayor Adams’ interest with respect to the continent of Africa. We are here to engage with African businesses, and we are here to promote and have NYC and its businesses invest in the continent of Africa” He postulated that if New York were a country, it would be the 11th largest economy in the world.

Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation for the office of the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, emphasized that New York is a multicultural city, and to quote Mr. Chauhan, “The mayor and I are proud that New York City is the largest home for the diplomatic community…and now New York City is very much engaged and now open for business…New York City is internationally connecting this business community and helping businesses expand in NYC.” 

Speaking about the Import and Prosper Program of the USAfrica Hub, Gbenga Omotayo underscored that the main aim of the USAfrica Trade and Business Network is to enhance trade and investment in Africa by empowering Africans to break into the international market. He stated that one of the challenges African businesses face is a lack of visibility due to limited market access. “There are no infrastructures, retail chains, global retail brands, and distributor networks. The diaspora is Africa’s secret weapon, and for Africa to thrive, we have to leverage the power of the diaspora. Many African diasporas want to do business on the African continent and have challenges doing this. Hence, the Hub, with the help of its veritable partners, provides this market access for the African diaspora to import products from verified and reliable businesses in Africa looking to scale and, in turn, prosper through white labeling and in turn, build equity in the long run,” said  Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network.

The event, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters from Monday, 12, September to Saturday, September 17, 2022, was themed “Facilitating Export-Import Opportunity for US-Africa MSMEs for Sustainable Development” positions New York City and the State of New York as favorable destinations for Africa’s business & political leaders looking to create new trade partnerships. This edition brought together 100+ small business owners, Investors, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Top Govt Leaders & Senior Execs, top business executives, Franchisees, Exporters, Manufacturers, Senior Business, Political, and Diplomatic leaders. Also in attendance were New York Elected Officials. 

The USAfrica Business Expo is produced by USAfrica Trade and Business Network, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization that has for over six years worked to promote and strengthen international trade and investment between the U.S and Africa. This is achieved by connecting U.S. and African organizations and businesses with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities. Many of the connections made at this have led to long-term relationships and strategic partnerships.

For more information, to register for the next event, or join the USAfrica Hub, please visit https://www.usafricabusinessexpo.com/ or Email – partner@usafricahub.com.