The Game Has Changed: The New Landscape for Innovation and Business in Africa
Past Event
Introduction and Bipartisan Congressional Perspectives on the Significance of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Introduction and Bipartisan Congressional Perspectives on the Significance of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
Introduction and Bipartisan Congressional Perspectives on the Significance of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Charting a New Economic Future: Opportunities, Entrepreneurs, and Consumers Changing a Region
Charting a New Economic Future: Opportunities, Entrepreneurs, and Consumers Changing a Region

Connecting a Continent: Linking Places, People and Markets
Connecting a Continent: Linking Places, People and Markets

A Changing Dynamic: Africa’s Image and U.S. Perceptions in the 21st Century
A Changing Dynamic: Africa’s Image and U.S. Perceptions in the 21st Century
During his visit to Africa last year, President Obama announced that his administration would host the first-ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit as part of an ongoing campaign to open a new chapter in America’s relationship with the region. For years, U.S. engagement in Africa has emphasized poverty reduction, foreign aid and addressing catastrophes, like the tragic spread of HIV/AIDS. While critically important, these priorities have not fully kept pace with dramatic changes occurring across the region, as Africa today has emerged as one of the world’s premier destinations for cutting-edge innovation and inspiring entrepreneurship. This upcoming summit presents an unparalleled opportunity for the U.S. government and people to recalibrate their approach to this rapidly changing region.
On August 4, the Brookings Institution convened a high-level forum of entrepreneurs and leaders in business, government, civil society and the media. The event explored priorities for U.S.-Africa policy; business strategies for economic growth and development; innovation; governance; and shifting perceptions of Africa in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Agenda
Session 1: Introductory Remarks
Mwangi S. Kimenyi
Former Brookings Expert
Bipartisan Congressional Perspectives on the Significance of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
Vera Songwe
Nonresident Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative
The Honorable Karen R. Bass (D-Calif.)
U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Christopher Smith (R-N.J.)
U.S. House of Representatives
Coffee Break
Charting a New Economic Future: Opportunities, Entrepreneurs, and Consumers Changing a Region
Carolyn Campbell
Managing Director & General Counsel - Emerging Capital Partners
Donald Kaberuka
Former President - African Development Bank
Board Chair - The Global Fund
Special Envoy of the African Union
Mo Ibrahim
Founder and Chair - Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Jason Njoku
Founder & CEO - iROKO Partners
Luncheon
Session 2: Connecting a Continent: Linking Places, People and Markets
Fernando de Sousa
General Manager, African Initiatives - Microsoft
Jay Ireland
Former CEO - GE Africa
Former Chair - President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa
Robert Collymore
Chief Executive Officer - Safaricom
Strive Masiyiwa
Founder and Executive Chairman - Econet Wireless International
Coffee Break
A Changing Dynamic: Africa’s Image and U.S. Perceptions in the 21st Century
Witney Schneidman
Coordinator for Prosper Africa - U.S. Agency for International Development
Former Bookings Expert
William Wallis
Writer and Former Editor, African Affairs - Financial Times
Akon
Founder of the Akon Lighting Africa
Amadou Mahtar Ba
Executive Chair - AllAfrica Global Media
John Prendergast
Co-Founder - Enough Project
Conclusion
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