American companies now see Africa as the future of trade - Aliko Dangote

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man has been named co-chair of the US-Africa Business Center. The center is under the United States Chamber of Commerce.

A statement by the Chamber stated that Dangote will serve alongside Jay Ireland, President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Africa as leaders of the center’s board of directors.

The move is seen as a show of further commitment to collaboration by the business communities in the United States and across Africa.

“We are honoured to have Aliko Dangote on board to help guide the business communities’ efforts in pursuit of a new era of unprecedented growth between the United States and Africa,” the President of the US-Africa Business Center, Scott Eisner, said.

”The future of job creation lies in the hearts and minds of business leaders and their enterprises across Africa. We are fortunate to have an opportunity to tap into the expertise of Dangote and our board to ensure that U.S. companies have strong partners across Africa and can provide access to African companies interested in the U.S. market,” he added.

In his response, Dangote said: “Taking on this role with the US Chamber sends a clear message across Africa. American companies no longer see Africa as a stepping stone to global trade, but rather, as the future of trade.

“Africa has emerged as one of the most promising growth regions in the world thanks to its vast array of industries, natural resources, and services.

Continued and sustainable growth lies in the ability to improve regional integration, which will, in turn, help create a business environment that is more attractive to international investors,” he added.

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— #AfricaIsRising (@Africa_IsRising) September 17, 2016

The US Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing the interests of 3 million businesses. They are focused on policies that create jobs and grow the economy.

Its Africa Chamber on the other hand is an advocacy-driven center focused on market access and trade facilitation, financing, and engagement with the governments of the U.S. and Africa.