Join us on Friday, June 7, 2019 for GIC’s African Business Roundtable, held in collaboration with the Annual ODUNDE Festival! This annual event is free, but registration is required.

Created in 1975, ODUNDE provides opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to meet, engage, cultivate, and learn about the African Diaspora’s heritage, communities, leadership and arts. ODUNDE is the largest African festival in the United States. Click here to learn more. 

Join us immediately following the event for a free VIP Reception generously sponsored by the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs, also held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Access to the Reception is included with registration. It will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Agenda

2:30 P.M. | Registration

3:00 P.M. | Welcoming Remarks

• Jannie L Blackwell, Member of the City Council of Philadelphia
• Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman, African and Caribbean Business Council
• Harold T. Epps, Director of Commerce at the City of Philadelphia
• Senator Sharif Street, Pennsylvania State Senator representing the Third Senatorial District of Philadelphia
• Donald Rissmiller, Founding Partner of Strategas and Chairman of GIC
• Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, CEO of Odunde

3:30 P.M. | Keynote Address

• Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Chairperson of the United Africa Group

4:00 P.M. | Panel Session

• H.E. Inza Camara, Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire to the U.S.
• H.E. Mahamadou Nimaga, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the U.S.
• Faman Touré, President of Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• H.E. Henri Etoundi Essomba, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to the United States of America
• Deniece Laurent-Mantey, Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

4:45 P.M. | Audience Q&A
Moderator: Hon. Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman, African and Caribbean Business Council

5:15 P.M. | Conclusion

• Oshunbumi Fernandez, CEO of Odunde
• Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman, African and Caribbean Business Council

5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. | Reception
Generously sponsored by the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs

Description of Participants’ Organization and Countries

African Union (AU)
The African Union is the official diplomatic representative to the United States of America. The African Union Commission is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has developed a dynamic program to increase economic growth, create jobs, and expand access to healthcare for the growing African population. The African Union represents 55 African Countries and over 1.2 billion people, several of the world’s fastest growing economics are on the continent of Africa with many of the world’s essential commodities. Africa, with its young population and growing middle class, is open for business but the continent lacks many of the necessary elements to reach its goals. United States businesses and especially Philadelphia large and small businesses will have a unique opportunity to hear about trade and exports to the African continent and other collaborations and partnerships.

The Republic of Cameroon 
The City of Philadelphia has a major interest in the Republic of Cameroon. In 1985 on a Trade Mission with the City of Philadelphia to Douala Cameroon, lea by the late Congressman William H. Gray, III. Doula was selected as Philadelphia’s first African Sister City. Cameroon is a major player in Central Africa and its ports are key access points to the Central African market that includes ten (10) countries and a consumer market exceeding 300 million people. In October 2017 the Mayor of Douala will lead an “In Bound Trade Mission” to Philadelphia with business leaders seeking goods, services and commodities manufactured in the Greater Philadelphia region. The business delegation will visit businesses in the region as well as have one-on-one meetings to discuss buying and selling of products, goods and services. This African Business Roundtable will provide more information on the trade mission and speak to specific export opportunities available.

The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
Cote d’Ivoire is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The country has had a long term relationship with the Greater Philadelphia region, due to it being the world’s largest producer of cocoa beans, a major grower of coffee and other agricultural products. The country is rich with many other natural resources, (like oil, gold, etc.) Many of the leaders of the country attended colleges and universities in the Greater Philadelphia region. The current Head of State graduated from Drexel University and received a Doctorate from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. The country is building a vast infrastructure and due to its growing economy many products, goods and services produced in the United States is in demand. The growing middle class in the country is forging ahead to increase the quality of life for its citizens and make an interesting target to focus on “inbound tourism” to Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Ivory Coast Chamber of Commerce will launch its operations on June 9, 2017 and will develop a strategy to promote trade with their country.