Africa will shape the future — not just the future of the African people, but of the world. These were the exact words quoted from President Joe Biden when he delivered his speech at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 13-15, 2022. President Biden invited 49 African Heads of State to Washington D.C. along with leaders from civil society, business leaders, women, and youth to discuss U.S.-Africa relations. The agenda included discussions on efforts to strengthen business and trade relations, war and political instability, COVID-19, and poverty. Africa is a major geopolitical player, especially with other countries like China and Russia courting the continent too.
In this episode, Alexanderia Haidara spoke with Florizelle Liser, CEO and President of the Corporate Council on Africa, to discuss American companies doing business in Africa. Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is the leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests in Africa and co-hosted the U.S.-Africa Business Forum and several special side events at the conference. Alexanderia also talked to Mark Tatum, COO and Deputy Commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to discuss its expansion on the continent. The Basketball Africa League is Africa's premier men's basketball league. The league consists of twelve teams, each qualified through their domestic competition. NBA Africa is in its 3rd season with teams in Senegal Egypt, and Rwanda to name a few. Given both the criticism of the conference, Alexanderia spoke with the State Department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel to discuss the deliverables, diaspora engagement, and the future of U.S.-Africa policy.
Podcast Team
Alexanderia Haidara, Host and Podcast Producer
Cheryle Galloway-Podcast Op-Ed Writer
Sidney Walters-Podcast Social Media Coordinator
Oona Nelson-Podcast Editor
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