THE AFRICA eJOURNAL - Corporate Council on Africa
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THE
AFRICA
JAN/FEB 2020 EDITION
eJOURNAL
A NEWSLETTER BY THE
CORPORATE COUNCIL ON AFRICA
IN THIS ISSUE
predicted to remain over 3 percent, slightly higher CCA HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE
WITH SEAN CAIRNCROSS,
than the global average, fueled by high growth rates
CEO, MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE
in many countries (for example, Cote d’Ivoire, CORPORATION - P.2
Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda each had about 7%
GDP growth in 2019, according to the World Bank.)
NEXT STEPS IN U.S –
Dr. Zeufack predicted that four of the fastest KENYA FREE TRADE
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE growing economies in the world will still be in Africa NEGOTIATIONS - P.3
BY FLORIZELLE LISER in 2020 and that African countries continue to top
the list of global economic reformers. There is new A BUSINESS BREAKFAST
optimism in Sudan and Ethiopia and hopes for AND ROUNDTABLE ON
Happy New Year and greetings from CCA!
COMBATING HEPATITIS
We started the year with our annual peaceful 2020 elections in Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire,
IN AFRICA - P.4
economic outlook in Africa – providing Ghana and Tanzania.
CCA members and stakeholders with the the corona virus is a new source of
major economic trends expected on the However, the continent also faces some major significant uncertainty and concern, for
continent in 2020. Dr. Albert Zeufack, challenges. South Africa, Nigeria and Angola – which Africa as in the rest of the world.
Chief Economist for Africa at the World together make up 60% of Africa’s GDP – continue to
Bank, our annual speaker and foremost show tepid growth. Global economic uncertainty, Notwithstanding these concerns, I pointed
expert on Africa’s economy, painted a declining commodity prices, the effects of climate out in a speech at Georgetown
mixed picture of the continent’s economic change and slow investment growth are drags on University’s Africa Business Conference on
health – and that’s where my thinking is Africa’s overall economic prospects. Rising debt February 1 that the African Continental
as well as we start the new decade. levels are also a big concern. There has been uneven Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) holds
progress in poverty reduction, compounded by great promise for more intra-African as
There are many reasons to cheer in Africa. governance challenges. Locust swarms in East well as global trade and investment. But
Overall GDP growth on the continent is Africa (and now Congo) pose a worrying threat and with the lowest level of overall foreign
...continued on page 7
2
CCA HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE WITH SEAN CAIRNCROSS, CEO,
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
From L to R: Ade Johnson, Winston and Strawn LLP, Sean Cairncross, From L to R: Florizelle Liser, CCA moderates a fireside chat with
MCC, Florizelle Liser, CCA Sean Cairncross, MCC, Florizelle Liser, CCA
On February 19, 2020, Corporate Council on be in the program. Failure to meet Cairncross encouraged U.S.
Africa hosted a High-Level Dialogue this requirement could lead to the companies to bid on MCC-funded
featuring Sean Cairncross, CEO of the scale down or even termination of projects. MCC stresses best value,
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), funding. not lowest price, which often
who spoke about the agency’s priorities, means U.S. companies are more
particularly in Africa. MCC compacts average about $350 competitive.
million but can scale up to $800
Mr. Cairncross started the dialogue by million. They work with partner He outlined how MCC programs
introducing MCC as an independent and countries and their economic (compacts and the earlier phase
innovative U.S foreign assistance agency teams to develop compacts that Threshold Programs) are an
created by Congress in the George W. Bush focus on addressing core alternative to China’s model for
administration in 2004, with currently about constraints to economic growth. development, by bringing country
70 percent of its portfolio in Africa. The ownership, economic growth, and
agency’s main goal is to reduce poverty sustainability to a country through
through economic growth, focusing on low- institutional change.
and low-middle income countries. MCC
priorities include improving markets for As the event rounded off,
private capital, increasing public-private Cairncross stated that he wants
partnerships and blended finance, MCC during his tenure to form
strengthening human capital, encouraging successful public-private
innovation and smart risk taking, improving partnerships, with private capital
governance and accountability, and at the front end of projects, and
enhancing institutional reforms. policies that focus on women’s
economic empowerment.
Cairncross noted that good governance and From L to R: Florizelle Liser, CCA, Sean
accountability are crucial for countries to be Cairncross, MCC
3
NEXT STEPS IN U.S – KENYA FREE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
A successful U.S.-Kenya FTA will stand as a
landmark for East Africa and for all of
Africa.”
Kenya's Principal Secretary, State
Department of Trade, Amb. Johnson Weru
appreciated the synergy between
Government and private sector, adding
that the government is willing to walk this
journey together with the private sector.
“As we speak there is a government team
that is also dissecting the deliberations that
From L to R: AmCham CEO Maxwell Otieno, KEPSA Director Brenda Mbathi, CCA President took place in Washington last week. Kenya
and CEO Florizelle Liser, KEPSA CEO Carole Karuga, PS Trade Johnson Weru, KEPSA Director has a great appetite for this opportunity.”
Graham Shaw & Former KEPSA Chair Vimal Shah | Photo Credit: KEPSA
On February 13, 2020, Corporate Council on “We would like to use this platform to Dr. Ruth Kagia, Senior Advisor, in the Office
Africa (CCA), in partnership with Kenya Private provide regular updates on ongoing of the President, appreciated the
Sector Alliance (KEPSA) hosted a roundtable negotiations, ensure private sector discussion that took place in Washington
discussion with Kenyan and U.S. business leaders participation and support, and extract real pointing out that this has the highest
and government officials to explore how the time opportunities for businesses.” political support.
private sector can support this bilateral effort
and take full advantage of investment and trade KEPSA CEO, Ms. Carole Karuga, in her A Kenya-U.S. FTA would build on the
opportunities that will arise from a Kenya-U.S. opening remarks emphasized the importance success Kenya has experienced in
Free Trade Agreement. of growth of the FTA between Kenya and the producing and exporting a range of value-
USA, stating that the increased trade added products to the U.S. market under
This comes as a follow-up to the recent visit of opportunity for export and import would the African Growth and Opportunity Act
H.E. President Kenyatta to the United States, lead to growth of business. (AGOA), while enhancing two-way trade,
during which the U.S. and Kenyan Government strengthening commercial cooperation,
announced the launch of talks aimed at Ms. Karuga pointed out that Kenya is the and spurring investment into key sectors.
establishing a free trade agreement (FTA) leader of the East African Community and
between the two countries. If successful, it would went further to underscore that Kenya, KEPSA and CCA signed an MoU to promote
be the first U.S. FTA with a sub-Saharan African among the businesses in Africa participating mutual interests through cooperation in
nation and potentially a model the United States in global trade, is leading the pack. the promotion of trade and investment
will use to enhance its trade and investment opportunities in Kenya. It emphasizes the
relationship with other African countries. “Kenya should draw lessons from Morocco need to explore opportunities between
on the challenges and opportunities that are Kenya and the U.S. against the backdrop of
Ms. Florizelle Liser, President and CEO of the emerging with the free trade agreement the commencement of the free trade
Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), noted that a between them and the US in order to learn agreement negotiations between Kenya
Kenya-U.S. FTA could build on Kenya's success in and eventually do better,” she urged. and USA.
trading value-added products under the African
Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "It is also U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter Free trade increases prosperity for the
an opportunity" she said, "for the private sectors who spoke at the event said: “We look citizens of all participating nations by
of both the U.S. and Kenya to deepen trade and forward to working together to create a free- allowing consumers to buy more, better-
investment ties in key sectors from energy to trade agreement that allows Kenyan and quality products at lower costs. It drives
banking, construction, ICT/digital trade, health, American businesses to benefit from economic growth, enhances efficiency,
manufacturing and services trade." increased access to each other’s markets and increases innovation, and seeks greater
one where both our consumers will enjoy fairness that accompanies a rules-based
Ms. Liser mentioned that the roundtable was greater prosperity through expanded choice system. These benefits increase as overall
the first of many that CCA plans on hosting and competition within the marketplace. trade increases.
with KEPSA as a long-time partner.
4
A BUSINESS BREAKFAST AND ROUNDTABLE ON COMBATING
HEPATITIS IN AFRICA
From L to R: Mr. Bassem Bibi, Abbot, Florizelle Liser, CCA, H.E. Aïssata
From L to R: Zouera Youssoufou, Dangote Foundation moderates a
Issoufou Mahamadou, Republic of Niger, Minister Dr. Idi Illiassou
fireside chat with H.E. Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady,
Mainassara, Niger, Amb. Jessye Lapenn, U.S. Mission to the African
Republic of Niger
Union, Dr. Papa Salif Sow, Gilead Sciences
On February 11th, CCA hosted a ‘Business new declaration. Each year 1.4 Treatment in Africa. The
Breakfast and Roundtable on Combating million people die from hepatitis B declaration places investing in
Hepatitis in Africa’ on the sidelines of the and C, which has increased 22 viral hepatitis elimination high on
2020 African Union Summit. The roundtable percent since 2000. In 2016, 47 African governments agendas. It
convened a select group of roughly 60 high- African Governments adopted the seeks to scale-up care and
level U.S. and African decision makers from Africa Regional Framework for antiviral treatment for people
the public and private sectors. The program Hepatitis Control (2016-2020), which with viral hepatitis as well as
included special remarks from H.E. Aïssata called for Member States to develop increase domestic funding and
Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady, Republic of and implement Hepatitis-specific the number of trained health
Niger; H.E. Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for National Strategic Plans. To date, providers to prevent deaths in
Social Affairs, African Union Commission; only 18 countries have formulated a the medium and long-term.
H.E. Dr. Idi Illiassou Mainassara Minister of national hepatitis strategic plan.
Public Health, Niger and Amb. Jessye Lapenn, The roundtable included a
U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Mission to the African At this year’s AU Summit, Heads of moderated discussion on
Union as well as Mr. Bassem Bibi, VP and State adopted the Cairo Declaration leveraging PPPs to combat
General Manager, Infectious Disease - Africa, on Hepatitis Prevention, Care and hepatitis which was moderated
Rapid Diagnostics, Abbott and Dr. Papa Salif by Michael Ninburg, President,
Sow, VP Program Development & World Hepatitis Alliance and a
Management, Access Operations & Emerging fireside chat with H.E. Aïssata
Markets, Africa/Geneva, Gilead Sciences. Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady,
Government representatives from Chad, Republic of Niger and Zouera
Mali, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ethiopia and Youssoufou, Managing Director
Mozambique also attended. and CEO, Dangote Foundation.
During her remarks, H.E.
The purpose of the roundtable was to Mahamadou appealed to H.E.
discuss strategies aimed at achieving the Amira El Fadil and the private
AU’s political declaration to eradicate sector to mobilize resources for
hepatitis in Africa, which was launched at Africa to achieve its goal of
this year’s AU Summit. The roundtable eliminating viral hepatitis by
featured keynote remarks from H.E. El Fadil 2030. The roundtable was
who highlighted the rising threat of viral H.E. Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for Social sponsored by Abbot and Gilead
hepatitis in the region, and the goals of the Affairs, African Union Commission Sciences.
5
A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH U.S. GLOBAL AIDS COORDINATOR
& SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH DIPLOMACY, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
From L to R: Cherine Yassien, Medtronic, Ambassador Deborah L. Birx,
A cross section of delegates at the health working group meeting
U.S. Department of State, Florizelle Liser, CCA, Morayor Essieh, CCA
On February 4, 2020, Corporate Council on address structural barriers to the prevention, PEPFAR has invested $4
Africa (CCA) hosted “A Roundtable implementation of preventative efforts. billion in male HIV/AIDS prevention and
Discussion with Ambassador Deborah L. $1 billion on female HIV/AIDS
Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator & Special Ambassador Birx highlighted the prevention. PEPFAR is also a partner in
Representative for Global Health importance of political leadership in The DREAMS Partnership Program
Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State.” CCA African countries in ensuring that their which addresses the needs of young
President and CEO, Florizelle Liser, gave the policies will allow money to translate women through market segmentation.
welcome remarks followed by opening into action. She acclaimed Namibia’s As of 2019, DREAMS has reached 1.5
remarks from Cherine Yassien, Principal, success in treating and diagnosing HIV million adolescent girls and young
International Relations – EMEA and LATAM, through political will and the use of women with critical comprehensive HIV
Medtronic, Inc. Co-Chair CCA Health data. prevention.
Working Group.
The PEPFAR platform drives health During the Q&A, Birx acknowledged
Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, M.D., U.S. improvements by providing guidance that there are coalitions of African
Global AIDS Coordinator and Special through leadership, making program governments willing to segment their
Representative for Global Health data reliable, ensuring communities are needs and start outsourcing. She
Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State kicked at the forefront of planning and advised that this should be done
off her presentation by outlining the work implementation, and defining actual through strengthening local logistical
of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS costs. Three of PEPFAR’s key goals for chains.
Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is a U.S. 2020 are to sustain the gains in
government initiative seeking to decrease countries that have achieved control of Birx concluded her presentation by
the absolute number of new HIV/AIDS the disease, help countries that don’t informing the audience of the
infections by over 50% through the have control achieve it, and address importance of what PEPFAR does in
continuous improvement of program the rising new infections in key accessing data, having the ability to
implementation at scale. PEPFAR ensures population epidemics around the develop client-centered approaches,
the implementation of the World Health world. finding fraud and corruption, and
Organization’s health policies at the on-site identifying collective successes and
level which allows them to immediately In their effort towards HIV/AIDS failures.
6
AFRICA’S 2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
From L to R: Tom Trimble, Winston & Strawn LLP, Albert Zeufack,
A cross section of delegates at the working group meeting
World Bank, Florizelle Liser, CCA
On January 22, 2020, Corporate Council on to pick up to 3.1% in 2020 and 3.2% in an improved business climate, with
Africa hosted a meeting on Africa’s 2020 2021. He forecasted that Africa will the top 10 reformers in the region
Economic Outlook. Welcome remarks were continue to have four of the fastest being Togo, Senegal, Niger,
given by Thomas B. Trimble, a Partner at growing economies in the world in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Gambia, Côte
Winston & Strawn LLP and Florizelle Liser, 2020, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cote D’Ivoire, d'Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania, and
President and CEO of Corporate Council on and Guinea. Uganda. The top 10 African countries
Africa. Dr. Albert G. Zeufack, Chief according World Bank's Ease of Doing
Economist, Africa Region at the World Bank Dr. Zeufack underlined four challenges Business Index are: Mauritius,
Group, gave the main presentation. to Africa’s economic outlook in 2020. Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia,
First, Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a Botswana, Togo, Seychelles, Namibia,
Dr. Zeufack kicked off his presentation by minimally supportive external Malawi.
recognizing the importance of private sector environment with heightened global
investment for the creation of jobs in Africa. uncertainty and a decline of metal and In ending the meeting, Dr. Zeufack
He then outlined how 60% of Africa’s GDP energy prices. Weakening exports and considered the digital transformation
comes from its three largest economies, climate change are negatively affecting of economic sectors to be beneficial
Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa. Each of Africa’s production, predominantly in in aiding job creation in Africa.
these economies are commodity-dependent the agriculture sector, and the
and have experienced sluggish economic weakness of institutional frameworks He advised the U.S. private sector to
growth since 2016. However, despite weaker coupled with a lack of reform is furtherthink and source regionally when
economic performance than anticipated in inhibiting Africa’s economic growth. looking at African markets. The
Africa’s largest economies, when you upcoming African Continental Free
remove these three economies the Despite these challenges, Zeufack Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) should
remaining countries in Africa, according to remained optimistic about Africa’s strengthen regionally integrated
Zeufack, have grown by over 4%. Overall, Dr. economic outlook. He highlighted that value chains and help create more
Zeufack projected GDP growth in Africa Africa does, and will continue to have, jobs on the continent.PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE...continued from front page 7
direct investment of any region in the world, Chairman of the Prosper Africa CCA hosted a High-Level Dialogue with MCC
Africa will need to be able to attract more Initiative, and Prosper held its first big CEO Sean Cairncross. While there is a
investment for the AfCFTA to succeed, and event with over 900 participants in perception that MCC engagement is
African governments should continue to Tunisia. The United States and Nigeria declining, he said, the organization has
focus on how to make their countries more concluded a Binational Commission invested more than $13 billion through 37
investor-friendly. meeting and Commercial and compacts with 29 partner countries in
Investment Dialogue that moved the Africa, and has new authorities to do
That said, the AfCFTA is an historic ball on many business deals. And Cape regional compacts. Combined with other
undertaking that could be a game changer Verde launched direct flights from U.S. government tools – especially the new
for Africa, and the AU is making notable Washington D.C. to Praia. DFC and a newly empowered U.S. Eximbank
progress in implementing the AfCFTA – – the United States will be putting even
naming South African trade expert Wamkele During the week of President Kenyatta’s more resources into African economic
Mene as the new AfCFTA Secretary General visit, I spoke on a panel highlighting how development and into supporting U.S.
and making plans for the Secretariat’s a free trade agreement can help small
companies looking to invest in and do
launch in March. During travel to and medium sized enterprises, in the
business in Africa.
Mozambique, Ethiopia and Kenya in the past United States and Kenya. Speaking at
few months, I heard a great deal of an event in Baltimore hosted by the AU
The African Youth Survey found that young
enthusiasm for U.S. business and and USAID, my Senior Advisor
Africans overwhelmingly (83 % of those
investment in key sectors, not to mention highlighted the benefits of AGOA –
surveyed) have a positive view of the
for the role that Africa’s youth are playing as including the tripling of African non-oil
entrepreneurs and as both developers and United States. As Prosper Africa evolves,
exports to the United States over the
users of the latest technologies driving we will need to do more to explain to
past two decades – but also pointed to
Africa’s economic growth. South Africa’s the importance of preparing for trade Africans what is in it for them. We should
Ichikowitz Family Foundation released the arrangements when AGOA expires in also continue to look for ways to support
largest-ever African youth survey in 2025, whether through the AfCFTA, the AfCFTA and highlight the stake that the
February, pointing to a growing sense of bilateral free trade agreements, or new United States – both government and
Afro-optimism among young Africans, versions of AGOA. business – has in its successful
reflecting a strong sense of individual implementation. Secretary Pompeo’s trip
responsibility, entrepreneurship and I am frequently struck by how much the to Africa helped tell the story of what the
confidence in Africans developing solutions United States is doing in Africa that is United States is doing in Africa – and it’s
to African challenges. often not adequately understood or not just about high level official visits. U.S.-
appreciated. For example, how many African business relationships play a critical
There is also a lot to celebrate in the U.S.- Americans have heard of PEPFAR? But role.
Africa economic relationship. In February, when I travel on the continent, Africans
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made his often praise the President’s Emergency CCA’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit in
first visit to Africa (Senegal, Angola and Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as one of Marrakech on June 9-12 will be an
Ethiopia), stressing the themes of business, the best things the U.S. government has outstanding opportunity to shine a light on
entrepreneurship and women’s done in Africa, literally saving the opportunities in Africa and the U.S.-Africa
empowerment. The U.S. and Kenya generations of HIV- infected people. business relationship, and to create the
announced the beginning of free trade CCA was pleased to highlight PEPFAR’s dialogue around working collaboratively –
agreement (FTA) negotiations – a first in contributions by hosting Ambassador Africa and the U.S., both public and private
sub-Saharan Africa – during President Deborah Birx, the U.S. Global AIDS sectors – to address some of the challenges
Kenyatta’s visit to Washington. CCA, with Coordinator. We also partnered with facing the continent. Hosted with the
its partner the Kenya Private Sector Alliance Abbott and Gilead to organize an event Kingdom of Morocco, the theme this year will
(KEPSA), was pleased to organize a in Addis Ababa to shine a spotlight on a be “New Pathways to U.S.-Africa Business
roundtable in Nairobi the next week to very encouraging development – the Engagement,” to highlight new U.S. and
begin bringing the U.S. and Kenyan private African Union’s political declaration to African business tools and innovations as well
sector to the table with senior Kenyan and eliminate hepatitis in Africa, and on the
as new trade and investment relationships.
U.S. government officials to discuss the role that the private sector can play in
The Summit will include sessions on
opportunities and way forward on the addressing that fight.
agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, health,
Kenya-U.S. FTA. President Trump named
infrastructure, finance, entertainment, and
Adam Boehler (the CEO of the new U.S. The Millennium Challenge Corporation
women’s economic empowerment, among
International Development Finance (MCC) is another example of American
other issues. We hope to see you there!
Corporation, DFC) as the new Executive success on the continent. In February,UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 2020
CCA High-Level Dialogue with Amb. Tibor Nagy
9 | Washington DC
JUNE 2020
U.S.-Africa Business Summit
9-12 | Marrakech, Morocco
WORKING GROUPS
CCA will host working group meetings on the continent and in the U.S. on key issues in the
following sectors: Agribusiness, Capacity Building, Energy, Finance, Health, ICT,
Infrastructure, Security, Tourism and Trade.
For more information, please visit www.corporatecouncilonafrica.com
1100 17th Street, NW, Suite 1200 * Washington, DC 20036, U.S.A
Tel: 202.835.1115 * Fax: 202.835.1117 * www.corporatecouncilonafrica.org
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