Luanda, the capital city of Angola, is set to become a hub of global economic diplomacy and business innovation as it hosts the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit from June 22 to 25, 2025. Organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Angola, the summit will gather over 1,500 participants, including African Heads of State, U.S. policymakers, business leaders, investors, and thought leaders.
Held under the theme, “Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for U.S.-Africa Partnership,” the summit aims to advance strategic trade and investment initiatives while unlocking economic potential across the continent. The gathering comes at a critical juncture as both the U.S. and African governments reassess bilateral and multilateral trade engagements amid shifting global economic dynamics.
At the heart of the discussions will be the need to improve Africa’s investment climate, build robust trade partnerships, and foster innovation across sectors such as infrastructure, digital technology, energy, agribusiness, healthcare, creative industries, and sustainable finance.
According to the CCA, this year’s summit will be one of the most inclusive and dynamic yet. With delegates expected from across Africa and the United States, the event will serve as a bridge for meaningful collaborations between governments and private-sector actors.
The President of Angola, João Lourenço, will officially host the summit, which underscores Angola’s growing role in facilitating regional and international economic dialogue. Key sessions will include ministerial panels, CEO roundtables, deal rooms, and policy dialogue forums aimed at identifying actionable investment opportunities.
Speaking ahead of the summit, John Olajide, Chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa, encouraged African entrepreneurs—particularly those from Nigeria—to seize the moment. Olajide, a Dallas-based Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of healthcare tech company Axxess, highlighted the summit’s immense potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape through innovation and global investment.
“The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is not just a meeting—it’s a marketplace for ideas, investments, and transformative partnerships,” Olajide said. “This is an opportunity to establish long-term relationships that create jobs, stimulate industries, and improve lives across Africa.”
He also emphasized the importance of African leadership participation, noting that presidents, ministers, and high-level officials from several ECOWAS and SADC member states will be in attendance. These leaders are expected to share national strategies, unveil sectoral priorities, and hold one-on-one sessions with potential investors.
According to Olajide, these high-level interactions will help align public policy with business interests while addressing regulatory hurdles and enhancing transparency in African investment environments.
“By providing a platform for African policymakers to explain their visions and regulatory frameworks, we remove uncertainty for investors and promote confidence in the African market,” he added.
This year’s summit is particularly significant as African nations increasingly look to diversify partnerships beyond traditional trade corridors. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining traction, the summit offers a platform to explore how U.S. businesses can integrate with the continent’s growing unified market of over 1.4 billion people.
The CCA, founded in 1993, has long served as the premier institution facilitating U.S.-Africa commercial engagement. Its work has been instrumental in helping American companies navigate African markets while promoting inclusive development and mutual prosperity.
Economic analysts suggest that this year’s summit could result in the signing of multi-billion-dollar deals, particularly in infrastructure and clean energy. Given growing global interest in Africa’s critical minerals, green energy potential, and digital transformation, several venture capital firms, development banks, and multinational corporations are also expected to participate.
Observers also expect discussions around youth employment, skills development, and innovation funding, given Africa’s rapidly growing population and the urgency to create economic opportunities for its young citizens.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the summit’s outcomes will not only shape U.S.-Africa relations but also determine the role of African economies in the global value chain.
With expectations high and the spotlight on Luanda, the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit promises to be a milestone event for diplomacy, trade, and transformative investment on the African continent.