U.S.-AFRICA INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE

September 27-29, 2006
Conference Center
Bethesda, Maryland

The Corporate Council on Africa held its first U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference on September 27-29, 2006. The conference focused on project development and financing for U.S. companies in Africa.

The Infrastructure conference provided participants with the opportunity to:

·Obtain first-hand information on African infrastructure development projects
·Meet the stakeholders involved in financing, risk mitigation and tender opportunities
·Introduce the latest financing options

Benefit from networking opportunities with African government officials, investors; capital markets experts, infrastructure providers, utility operators, and investment bankers.

Learn about risk mitigation programs offered by the U.S. government and multi-lateral institutions. Meet the people who can assist your business in expanding into the African market.

Plenary sessions & workshops addressed:

· Airports & aviation
· Buildings & construction
· Energy, electrical grids, lighting & peripherals
· Heavy equipment
· IT/Communications
· Roads & rails
· Water, dams & bridges
· Project financing
· Legal considerations
· Logistics & distribution
· Public-private partnerships

Workshop panelists included African Ministers of Planning and Finance, leading U.S. infrastructure companies, financial institutions, and international organizations that highlighted best practices and lessons learned.

Target Audience:

· U. S. businesses involved in infrastructure
· Representatives of U.S. and African governments
· Multi-lateral institutions including: the AFDB, IFC, MIGA, NEPAD, UNDP and World Bank Group
· U.S. government agencies including Ex-Im Bank, MCC, OPIC, USAID and USTDA

Networking Opportunities:

Arranged Meetings
With advance notice, CCA arranged one-on-one meetings between participants, and project sponsors and financiers. An information packet on presented projects and investment opportunities was provided to registered attendees before and during the conference.

Speed Networking Event
Participants were guaranteed to meet with project developers and financiers at this series of arranged five-minute introductory meetings. Participants learned about available projects.