By Gideon Maxwell
September 5, 2024
In a significant move to enhance trade relations between the United States and Africa, the USAfrica Business Week is set to return to New York City in September 2024, marking its seventh edition.
This event, themed “Bridging Continents, Empowering Trade,” promises to be a pivotal platform for advancing Nigeria-US trade relations, particularly in the non-oil sector.
The event will take place from September 16 to September 22, 2024, at the United Nations Headquarters, 760 United Nations Plaza, Manhattan, New York, United States.
The Honorable Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, will host the event and has been a consistent supporter of initiatives to promote Nigerian products in the US market.
“New York Open for Business: Trade and Investment Opportunities with Africa,” Mayor Adams emphasised in his pre-event remark.
“Africa has been ignored… every other country allows people to leave their country, come to America, use their political strength, economic strength, and know-how to go back to their country and build that country. We have not done that. That day ended on January 1, 2022, when I became the mayor of New York City,” said Mayor Adams.
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Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network, highlighted the organisation’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian exporters.
“Our approach is different because we don’t just talk about these challenges, we actively address them. We provide crucial resources such as warehousing, logistics support, and direct engagement with key buyers in the US market.
“This includes connecting Nigerian exporters with major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, as well as online marketplaces where their products can reach a broader audience,” Omotayo said.
L-R Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director, USAfrica Trade and Business Network and Mayor Eric Adams, 11th Mayor of New York City, at the USAfrica Business Expo 2022
Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network
Karen L Booker – Chairperson, USAfrica Trade and Business Network
US Customs and Border Protection at their booth in 2022 (L-R): Richard Cosgrove – Supervisory Agricultural Operations Manager, CBP New York Field Office Anne Keller – Deputy Assistant Director, Trade and Cargo Security Anita Harris – CBP, Chief Textile Policy, Office of Trade, and Magrette Garcia – Program Manager
Mayor Eric Adams, 11th Mayor of New York City.
Edward Mermelstein, International Affairs Commissioner for New York City.
Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation for the office of the New York City Mayor’s office for international affairs.
Venture Capital Panel (L-R) – Michelle Walker-Davis – Managing Partner & Chief Development Officer of IMG. LaTaunya Darden – Business Development Specialist of Exim Bank, Andreas Deutschman – Senior Vice President of Palladium Capital Group, and Vanessa Bouchereau-Vincent – FRM CEO and Managing Partner of Kind Capital Resources.
Adeoye Owolewa, United States Representative, District of Columbia (Shadow)
L-R: Strategic partner Vincent J. Vicari, Regional Director United States Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), and Kathleen Cronin, Director of Outreach, SAfrica Business Week
L-R: Deborah D. Feggins – Client Care Specialist, EXIM, LaTaunya Darden – Business Development Specialist, EXIM Bank, Lilian Okoli – CEO, HEDi, and Mme Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia – CEO of WADHI and UN CADEW Representative for the African continent
Strategic Partner: Mme Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, CEO of WADHI and UN CEDAW Representative for Nigeria
Nina-Belle Mbayu, Esq – Event Moderator
Edward Mermelstein, International Affairs Commissioner for New York City, reinforced the city’s commitment to engaging with African businesses, saying, “We are here to engage the international community, especially with Mayor Adams’ interest with respect to the continent of Africa.”
He noted, “If New York were a country, it would be the 11th-largest economy in the world. We are here to engage with African businesses, and we are here to promote and have NYC and its businesses invest in the continent of Africa.”
Karen L Booker emphasised the role of the diaspora, noting, “The diaspora is Africa’s secret weapon, and for Africa to thrive, we have to leverage the power of the diaspora.
“Many African diasporas want to do business on the African continent and have challenges doing this.
“We are committed to providing market access for the African diaspora to import products from verified and reliable businesses in Africa looking to scale and, in turn, prosper through white labeling, building equity in the long run.”
The USAfrica Business Week will feature sessions by relevant government and industry experts, critical business and trade workshops, networking sessions, B2B matchmaking, and access to relevant vendors in the exhibitor hall.
The event aims to celebrate African culture, fashion, cuisine, and the African diaspora, providing a fun, high-energy, and collaborative environment.
The event has collaborated with several Nigerian agencies, including the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Nigerian Investment Promotion Agency (NIOC), the Bank of Industry (BOI), and others, to facilitate trade, investment, and export opportunities.
The organisers have invited more Nigerian businesses, government agencies, and stakeholders to join this significant gathering aimed at driving the narrative of non-oil export and creating tangible opportunities for Nigerian products in the US market.
“Together, the USAfrica Business Week aims to build a stronger, more diversified trade relationship between Nigeria and the United States,” organisers said.
