Secretary of State Gina Raimondo said she believes the U.S.-Africa partnership will be shaped by commercial ties between businesses on both sides of the continent during the U.S.-Africa Business Forum.
She said those ties will include women, next generation and Diaspora entrepreneurs, according to a Dec. 14 news release.
“To the honorable heads of state, ministers from across the African continent, welcome. I am deeply honored to have you here at the 2022 U.S.-Africa Business Forum,” Raimondo said in the release. “I also want to welcome industry leaders from the U.S. and Africa. Your participation demonstrates the immense economic potential of the U.S.-Africa partnership.”
Raimondo said they can expect commercial relationships to drive the technology cooperation, innovation and small business growth that already transform the lives of Africans. The transformation will reach industries from health to agriculture, from energy to transport and from fintech to creative industries. This will lead to quality jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, she said, according to the release.
She said they have immense potential working together, and the next generation of Americans and Africans deserve nothing less, the release reported. She expressed excitement about panel discussions at the business forum during which participants heard directly from business and government on key areas of collaboration.
“And I’m thrilled about the deals that we’ll announce on the main stage and the Prosper Africa Deal Room. Thank you all once again for being here today,” Raimondo said, according to the release.
