Amidst the iconic skyline of New York City, home to diverse business, economic and global engagements such as conventions, summits, conferences, and world class events also reckoned as the host city for the Sub-Saharan Africa Business and Investment Summit (SSABIS), held on Monday September 25th, 2023 at the 21st Floor of the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York City. Whereby the WTC Abuja’s delegation joined a multitude of participants like the Africa’s decision-makers, global investors, government officials, C-suite executives, trade agencies, and other stakeholders.

The meeting was organized by Chronicles Consulting Group (CCG), a consortium of international trade and investment partners facilitating trade promotions and Foreign Direct Investment into Sub-Saharan Africa. As industry experts, CCG designed SSABIS in which WTC Abuja is an international partner to provide global investors with an opportunity to meet African decision-makers and representatives of various economic sectors. The goal was to exchange ideas and negotiate deals that would foster economic growth and development on the continent, particularly in the areas of business establishment and expansion.

SSABIS aims to offer reliable, reputable, and credible global investors’ access to the vast business opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa’s economic projection and global trajectory play a significant role in the global economy. This is due to factors such as a growing young population, rising household incomes and consumption, projected growth in the digital economy, and infrastructural development aimed at enhancing intra-African trade and global presence.

Through the WTC Abuja we had the attendance of the National Programme Coordinator of the National Cash Transfer under the Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the President of the Confederation Generale des Entreprises de Cote d’lvoire and some other delegates in the private sector. Members and delegations led by the World Trade Center (WTC) Abuja played a prominent role at the summit, leveraging their global network and expertise to facilitate meaningful connections between international investors and African businesses. This forum offered insights into navigating the complexities of international trade and investment, aligning with the organization’s mission to promote global trade.

The summit, themed “Africa: The Next Frontier,” focused on current realities and future possibilities for the African continent. It featured high-level discussions across various sectors while fostering high-end business networking and B2B matchmaking, allowing for the establishment of new relationships and the strengthening of existing ones.

Key discussion topics were:

• Energy: Embracing the Dual Potential of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Energy Mix
• Agriculture: Revolutionizing Agriculture for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Infrastructure and Transportation: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Enhancing Transportation for Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Investors Forum: Navigating the Landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Opportunities
• Healthcare: Seizing Opportunities for a Resilient Healthcare System in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Mining & Minerals: Unlocking the Potential of the Mining Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa

The event also featured other activities such as investor forums, fireside chats, bankers’ forums, special awards, and presentations.

Key points highlighted during the event:

• Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is projected to grow significantly, with six of the top 10 countries by population located in the region.
• Access to modern electricity remains a challenge for over 600 million people in Africa.
• The United States heavily relies on oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables for energy sources, resulting in significant energy losses during distribution.
• Clean energy and distributed energy systems are considered crucial for Africa’s energy future. Discussions emphasized the importance of addressing energy distribution, density, storage, safety, delivery time, and existing supply chains while transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The event had the participation of key representatives from both the public and private sectors who shared their expertise and significantly contributed to discussions and activities. Some of the invited guests and speakers featured in the summit were:

• H.E. Margaret Mensah-William, Ambassador of Namibia to the US
• Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director of the US Africa Trade and Business Network
• Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, CEO of FEEDS, Director of Smarter Grid International & Euafrique Energy
• Andreas Deauschman, Senior VP at Palladium Capital
• Aissata M.B. Camara, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in the New York City Mayor’s Office
• Ambassador of Gabon to the US
• Samba Bathily, Founder and CEO of Africa Development Solutions (ADS) Group
• Raymond Gilpin, PhD, Chief of the Strategy, Analysis, and Research Team at UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
• Minister for Industrialization and Trade, Namibia, Hon. Lucia Lipumbu
• Kofi Grant, Ghanaian Investment Banker
• Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment & Innovation, NYC Mayor’s Office

The Sub-Saharan Africa Business and Investment Summit successfully achieved its objectives in critical areas such as providing insights from African business decision-makers, connecting decision-makers with development organizations and potential investors for real-time partnerships, and facilitating centralized networking for potential collaborations, matchmaking, productive meetings, relationship building, and negotiations.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Business and Investment Summit concluded with optimism and a commitment to driving economic growth in the region. The event served as a catalyst for increased investment, trade, and collaboration between Sub-Saharan African countries and international stakeholders. As Sub-Saharan Africa continues to emerge as a promising investment destination, events like this summit play a pivotal role in connecting opportunities with capital and expertise. The discussions held and connections made at the summit are expected to have a lasting impact on the economic landscape of the region, demonstrating the potential for inclusive and sustainable growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

As we reflect on these captivating moments and remarkable experiences, it reinforces our commitment to facilitating trade, business, and investment opportunities between Nigeria and the rest of the world. We aim to provide the Nigerian business community with an even playing field and endless opportunities to explore diverse global markets through trade and investment missions. Join the WTC Abuja Business & Membership Club to expand your global reach and explore countless business and networking opportunities, global events, and more. Anticipate upcoming trade and investment missions to various countries.

Reflecting on these captivating moments and remarkable experiences reinforces our commitment to facilitating trade, business, and investment opportunities between Nigeria and the rest of the world. Join the WTC Abuja Business & Membership Club to expand your global reach, explore countless business and networking opportunities, global events, and anticipate upcoming trade and investment missions to various countries.