Shearman & Sterling hosted a Presidential Dialogue on the Future of U.S.-Africa Business Relations on September 19 in its New York office.  Featured in the dialogue were Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Nigeria’s Dangote Industries CEO Aliko Dangote and Rosa Whitaker, founder of the Whitaker Group and architect of AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act) and former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Africa.  The speakers discussed investment opportunities across the continent, ways to forge U.S.-Africa business relationships and encourage more diversified U.S.-Africa investment and trade, and the potential for the continent to become the food basket for the world.

We were honored to host this high-profile event during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.  President Kagame and Mr. Dangote are recognized throughout the international community as visionary political and business leaders, driving the future of Africa.

Counsel Kimberly Heimert said, “Working with the Corporate Council on Africa and its CEO, Florie Liser, to host an event of this caliber reflects our growing profile in Africa and our strategic focus on developing business in the region.”

More than 200 attendees gathered for the event, including ambassadors, U.S. government officials, journalists, and high-level oil and gas executives, bankers, and investors active across Africa.