The 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, held from June 22 to 25, 2025, has yielded over $2.5 billion in new trade and investment deals between American firms and African partners, reinforcing the strategic shift from aid to investment-led engagement across the continent.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the summit, jointly organized by the Corporate Council on Africa and the Government of Angola, recorded its highest-ever turnout with over 2,700 attendees, including 12 African Heads of State, top U.S. officials, private sector leaders, and trade experts.
The summit served as a platform to promote commercial diplomacy, expand U.S. business footprints in Africa, and establish strong bilateral and multilateral economic relationships. Delegates emphasized mutual prosperity and long-term partnerships in line with the U.S. Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for Africa.
Among the most significant deals was a strategic partnership between a U.S. consortium led by Florida-based Amer-Con Corporation and Angola’s Cargo and Logistics Certification Regulatory Agency. The partnership will see the construction and operation of 22 grain silo terminals along the Lobito Corridor—an effort expected to bolster food security and agricultural logistics. The $100+ million project is backed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
In the digital sector, Cybastion, a U.S. technology firm, signed a $170 million agreement with Angola Telecom to expand cybersecurity and digital infrastructure through its “Digital Fast Track” initiative. This investment will include workforce training and improved connectivity to support Angola’s tech transformation agenda.
Also announced was a Memorandum of Understanding between CEC Africa Sierra Leone Ltd. and U.S.-based AG&P to develop West Africa’s first U.S.-sourced Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. The terminal will supply the 108MW Nant Power Project in Sierra Leone, creating affordable energy access for industries and households.
In another groundbreaking energy initiative, Hydro-Link, a U.S. energy investor, signed a $1.5 billion deal with the Angolan government to build a 1,150-kilometer power transmission line. The infrastructure will deliver 1.2 gigawatts of power from Angola’s Luaca hydropower station to the mineral-rich Kolwezi region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enhancing cross-border energy integration and supporting mining operations.
Additionally, Ethiopia Investment Holdings reached an agreement with U.S. International Finance Partners for a $200 million investment in luxury tourism infrastructure—covering hotels, branded residences, and eco-tourism facilities. The agreement was endorsed by Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie.
A standout project is the $760 million Ruzizi III hydropower project, which spans Rwanda and the DRC. U.S.-based Anzana Electric Group is now set to acquire a 10% equity stake in the project through a strategic partnership with the Ruzizi III Holding Power Company. Once operational, the facility will provide electricity to more than 30 million people, supporting regional development and peace.
Speaking on the summit’s success, the U.S. Department of State noted, “These deals exemplify the U.S. approach of prioritizing trade and investment over traditional aid. We are engaging African nations as peers in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
The U.S. delegation was led by Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs. It included key figures such as Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser for Africa; Thomas Hardy, Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency; Constance Hamilton, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa; and Connor Coleman, Head of Investments at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
Tamara Maxwell, Senior Vice President for Small Business at the U.S. EXIM Bank, also participated, reaffirming Washington’s support for SMEs seeking to explore the African market.
The summit’s outcome underscores growing U.S. interest in positioning Africa as a pivotal trade partner. With its young population, natural resources, and growing digital economy, the continent is increasingly being seen as a viable destination for long-term investment rather than just humanitarian assistance.
Experts say the deals inked at the summit will not only enhance critical sectors like agriculture, energy, and infrastructure but also lay the groundwork for more robust U.S.-Africa trade partnerships under initiatives like Prosper Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).