U.S.-AFRICA INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE

October 8 - 10, 2007
Grand Hyatt
Washington, D.C.

The Corporate Council on Africa held its second annual U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference: Building on Stability

The 2007 U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference built on the foundation laid at the 2006 conference and allowed participants to:

Obtain information on infrastructure development opportunities in Africa
Network with key African and U.S. private sector and government representatives
Expand business by identifying specific growth areas and projects
Discover the latest financing options and instruments available
Meet and vet potential partners
Reduce exposure to financial, legal, and political risk
Discover the latest success stories and the best practices that produced them
Ensure the security of your personnel, investment, and critical infrastructure

Participants were able to meet representatives in a position to help expand their business in the African market. Participants also benefited from networking with African government officials, investors, capital market experts, infrastructure providers, utility providers, and investment bankers.

Plenary sessions & workshops addressed:

Public-private partnerships
Risk mitigation: financial, legal, and political
Secure banking and data transmission
Joint ventures and strategic alliances
Distance health care delivery mechanisms
Agribusiness: post-harvest handling, cold chains, and food security
Ports: maritime security
Airports: safe skies and airport security
Logistics and distribution
Utilizing hedge funds and other cutting-edge financial instruments
Sustainable energy projects

Workshop panelists included:

African Ministers of Planning and Finance, decision makers from leading U.S. infrastructure and financial companies, international and regional organizations such as the World Bank, NEPAD, and senior representatives from the U.S. Government. Most importantly, these sessions included proven strategies and solutions for companies to succeed on the continent.