Africa-Press – Mauritius. The roundtable on the topic “Unlocking financial resources to deliver better health outcomes in Africa” marked, this Thursday, the last day of work of the 16th US-Africa Business Summit, held in Dallas (Texas).
During the panel, participants highlighted, among other issues, the persistent challenges in financing healthcare around the world, particularly in Africa, despite the progress made after Covid-19.
The discussions also highlighted the need to adopt innovative financing models for the Health sector, with a view to optimizing available resources and expanding patients’ access to treatments.
The panelists at this round table, on the other hand, called on high-level leaders to, together, explore the great opportunities for partnership and sustainable strategies.
Also on Thursday, a dialogue on Women’s Economic Empowerment took place, led by the Secretary General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Secretary of Commerce, Office of the US Department of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo.
Participants in this panel debate conveyed ideas on how this phenomenon of Empowerment can help catalyze African trade, investment and business.
Likewise, Prosper Africa delved deeper into the recently launched “Africa Trade Desk” project and highlighted how it works with its partners to leverage innovation, technology and collaboration, transforming trade between the people of the USA and the African continent.
Main deals signed
The US-Africa Business Summit, which was attended by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, allowed the signing of several agreements, which will help boost Africa’s development.
The president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), Reta Jo Lewis, finalized three historic transactions for projects in Angola alongside President João Lourenço, Finance Minister Vera Daves and US government representatives.
The three transactions advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure (PGI) initiative, a collaborative effort by U.S. government agencies to support sustainable, clean, resilient and inclusive infrastructure projects around the world.
These transactions also support EXIM’s mandate to “sponsor” renewable energy projects.
The first transaction signed was a direct loan of more than US$900 million to support the construction of two solar energy plants in Angola.
According to the event organizers, this is the largest renewable energy project and the largest transaction in Sub-Saharan Africa, throughout EXIM’s 90-year history.
The transaction, which involves Sun Africa (a member of CCA), ING Capital and Angolan company Omatapalo, will generate more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy, estimated to support 1,600 US jobs.
The second transaction consisted of a US$363 million loan guarantee to support the export of prefabricated modular steel bridges and related equipment from Acrow Bridge Corporation to build infrastructure in Angola.
The transaction, which involves Africa Finance Corporation and Acrow Bridge (which are members of CCA), along with Standard Chartered, is expected to support 600 North American jobs in 18 states across the country.
The US$450 million project, investing in modern transport infrastructure through the engineering, acquisition and construction of 186 bridges across Angola, involves financing and support from EXIM, Private Export Funding Corporation and Standard Chartered Bank.
AFC’s commercial loan for a portion of the project is an example of the Lobito Corridor consortium partnering beyond railways to support rural transport connectivity that will serve to link communities to each other and to the larger regional corridor.
The third transaction, related to the expansion of Rádio Nacional de Angola’s FM signal and the modernization of studios, supported by technology from Ohio-based GatesAir, involves 40 million to expand analogue FM radio coverage to 95% of the Angolan population.
This key agreement will provide 168 Flexiva FM transmitters, installation of antennas, towers, RF auxiliary systems and studio upgrades across the country in a successful collaboration between GatesAir, Deutsche Bank, guaranteed by EXIM, and the Republic of Angola.
The Corporate Business Council brings together partners from around the world to advance growth and economic imperatives shared by the United States and Africa, including the development of PGI’s Lobito Corridor.
Meanwhile, Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, and the Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria, signed a multi-billion naira memorandum of understanding in Dallas to boost cassava cultivation.
The initiative aims to cultivate cassava on a large scale in the state, with an initial target of 100,000 hectares, through an external producer program.
Also at the summit, which brought together more than 1,500 guests since Tuesday, the DFC approved a loan of up to 292 million dollars to the Western Area Power Generation Project, based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The agreement aims to help develop and upgrade the power station’s infrastructure, promoting reliable access to energy across the country.
According to data from the organization, the event brought together more than 1,500 business and government leaders, including five African heads of government and more than 16 delegations.
More than 15 U.S. Government officials participated in high-level panels, forums and dialogues, enriching dialogue and promoting ties between nations.
Angola may host next Summit
The Dallas Summit ended without confirmation of the next country hosting the event, but according to the organization, Angola presented its candidacy for this purpose.
According to a group of members of the Africa Corporate Council, the desire was expressed by President João Lourenço, who left the city of Dallas last Wednesday.
Quoted by Public Television of Angola, the CEO of the Africa Corporate Council, Florizelle Lizser, said that João Lourenço made clear his desire to organize the Summit.
In turn, the president of the Africa Corporate Council, John Olajide, said that the President of the Republic expressed his interest, supported by the members of the board.
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