Over 1,500 delegates, including heads of state, government officials, business executives, and policy experts, are convening in Angola’s capital for the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, signaling renewed momentum for commercial ties between the continent and the United States.
The summit, hosted by the Angolan government and organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), is centered on the theme “Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for U.S.-Africa Partnership.” The event is drawing participants from across Africa and the U.S., with a strong emphasis on trade, investment, and economic development.
Presidents and prime ministers from countries including Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Namibia, and São Tomé and Príncipe are in attendance, alongside Angolan President João Lourenço, the summit’s host.
Also present are influential players from the private sector, multilateral development agencies, and high-level U.S. institutions, all aiming to forge deeper commercial linkages between African nations and American businesses.
U.S. Prioritizes Economic Diplomacy
The U.S. delegation includes several senior officials, among them Ambassador Troy Fitrell, who heads the Bureau of African Affairs at the State Department. Other key figures include Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa; Conor Coleman of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; James Burrows from the Export-Import Bank; Constance Hamilton, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa; and Thomas R. Hardy, Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
Ambassador Fitrell’s presence reflects Washington’s growing focus on commercial diplomacy in Africa. Speaking in Abidjan earlier this year, he announced a strategic shift that places business advocacy at the heart of U.S.-Africa relations. Under the new approach, U.S. ambassadors are being evaluated on their ability to support American businesses and drive investment deals across the continent.
Business Leaders Eye Tangible Outcomes
Among the summit’s strongest advocates is CCA Chairman John Olajide, a Dallas-based Nigerian entrepreneur. Olajide leads Axxess, a healthcare technology company, and Cavista Holdings, an investment firm operating across several sectors including agriculture, fintech, hospitality, and energy.
“I believe in this summit because of the real outcomes it delivers,” said Olajide. “It’s not just talk — it’s a catalyst for investment, jobs, and sustainable growth in Africa.”
The Luanda summit includes sessions on priority sectors such as infrastructure, energy, healthcare, agriculture, and digital innovation. Delegates are expected to engage in deal-making, policy discussions, and partnership-building, all geared toward strengthening the economic bridge between Africa and the United States.
A Legacy of Engagement
Founded in 1993, the Corporate Council on Africa has long served as a key platform for connecting African and American business interests. The first U.S.-Africa Business Summit took place in 1997, and the event has since been hosted in cities including Washington, DC, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Gaborone, Maputo, Marrakesh, and most recently, Dallas in 2024.
As African economies continue to pursue industrialization and integration, the Luanda summit is seen as an opportunity to reaffirm partnerships and harness collective growth. With global economic dynamics shifting, stakeholders on both sides view the summit as a crucial moment to align long-term development goals with actionable business opportunities.