Corporate Council on Africa

CCA logo

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is a trade association focusing on strengthening commercial relationships between the United States and the African continent.^[1]

Background

• CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501(3) (c) membership organization of nearly 200 U.S. companies
• CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total US private sector investments in Africa.
• CCA works closely with governments, multilateral groups and business to improve the African continent's trade and investment climate, and to raise the profile of Africa in the US business community.
• CCA programs are designed to bring together potential business partners and raise Africa's investment profile in the US by developing critical contacts and business relationships and providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.^[1]

It holds a biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit, for about 1,400 government and business leaders from the U.S. and the African continent. The next Summit takes place Oct. 5-7, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

President Stephen Hayes

Stephen Hayes, the President of the Council, was appointed in August 1999. Immediately prior to his appointment, Mr. Hayes was a consultant to Winnington Limited of London, a private European holding company. He was involved in issues affecting the African oil trade as well as the development of agricultural projects in Africa. He was also international projects advisor to the Washington-based firm of Cohen & Woods International, which specializes in U.S./African economic and political relations.

Prior to joining Winnington, Mr. Hayes was president of the American Center for International Leadership and international program director for AFS International/Intercultural Programs. A graduate of Indiana University with a Masters Degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University, Mr. Hayes has also served as director of International Projects at the University of Denver. He served several years as a consultant to the UN Development Program and has chaired and directed more than 25 international conferences.^[1]

Health Initiative

The CCA Health Initiative (“The Initiative”), formerly the HIV/AIDS Initiative, was established in September 2003 through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to assist CCA members in combating a perceived deterrent to trade and investment on the continent: HIV/AIDS. The Health Initiative has partnered with various non-governmental organizations, private foundations, multilateral institutions, and corporations to leverage private sector resources to prevent and mitigate HIV/AIDS in Africa. More recently, The Initiative has expanded its scope of work to include a focus on private sector solutions for health systems strengthening and advocacy efforts for increased attention to non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions in Africa.

The Health Initiative works with CCA members to advance African health care outcomes through leveraging resources and brokering creative partnerships that bring together the knowledge of locally-based non-government organizations (NGOs) and governments with the technical know-how, investment resources and market expertise of the private sector.

The Initiative convenes several forums including a monthly 'Investing in Health' breakfast series, and a biennial U.S.-Africa Private Sector Health Conference, all covering topics ranging from health care systems and reforms and health care financing, and bringing together a variety of stakeholders from the U.S. and Africa’s public, private, and non-profit sector.

South Africa International Business Linkages

SAIBL logo

With a tenfold increase in global trade, South Africa is one of the most promising markets in the world and Africa’s most developed economy. South Africa International Business Linkages (SAIBL) provides a gateway to this market and to the rest of Africa. SAIBL empowers business through trade and investment partnerships between historically disadvantaged (Individuals discriminated against under apartheid) South African small and medium enterprises and U.S. companies, South African corporations, and multinationals.

For historically disadvantaged South African companies, SAIBL offers training and business capacity support. SAIBL mentors growth-oriented enterprises to become locally and internationally competitive, and introduces them to new markets and buyers.

For U.S. companies, South African corporations, and multinationals, SAIBL identifies pre-screened South African partners and suppliers.

SAIBL brings together qualified business partners and suppliers for:

• Procurement contracts and tenders
• Import/export
• Distributorships
• Trade and marketing partnerships
• Licensing and franchising
• Equity investments
• Joint ventures^[2]

The Africa Journal

The Africa Journal is a quarterly publication of the Corporate Council on Africa which aims to raise Africa’s profile as a business destination with numerous and diverse opportunities.

The Africa Journal’s Objectives are to:

• Provide a synopsis of important trade policy and political developments in Africa;
• Introduce key figures and stakeholders in the U.S.-Africa business and government community;
• Feature analysis and in-depth features on current economic & political developments;
• Highlight CCA member companies and businesses’ success in Africa; and
• Inform readers of CCA’s programs, services, and events.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Corporate Council on Africa Website
2. ^ South Africa International Business Linkages Website
3. ^ The Africa Journal Website