Dallas - The round table on "Unlocking financial resources to deliver better health outcomes in Africa" marked the final day of the 16th US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas (Texas) on Thursday.
During the panel, participants emphasized, 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 to optimize available resources and expand patient access to treatment.
It called on high-level leaders to explore together the great opportunities for partnership and sustainable strategies.
Also on Thursday, there was a dialogue on Women's Economic Empowerment, led by the Secretary General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.
The participants shared ideas on how this phenomenon of Empowerment can help catalyze African trade, investment and business.
Similarly, Prosper Africa delved 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 US and the African continent.
Key deals signed
The US-Africa Business Summit, which was attended by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, enabled several agreements to be signed that will help boost Africa's development.
Reta Jo Lewis, chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) finalized three historic transactions for projects in Angola alongside President João Lourenço, Finance Minister Vera Daves and representatives of the US government.
The three transactions promote the Biden-Harris Administration's Partnership for Global Infrastructure (PGI) initiative, a collaborative effort by US 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 900 million dollars to support the construction of two solar power plants in Angola.
According to the event organizers, this is the largest renewable energy project and the largest transaction in sub-Saharan Africa in EXIM's 90-year history.
The transaction, which involves the company Sun Africa, ING Capital and the Angolan company Omatapalo, will generate more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy, while the second consisted of a loan guarantee of 363 million US dollars to support the export of prefabricated modular steel bridges and related equipment from the company Acrow Bridge Corporation to build infrastructure in Angola.
It includes the Africa Finance Corporation and Acrow Bridge together with Standard Chartered.
The 450 million dollar project, investing in modern transport infrastructure through the engineering, acquisition and construction of 186 bridges throughout Angola, involves financing and support from EXIM, the Private Export Funding Corporation and Standard Chartered Bank.
AFC's commercial loan for part of the project is an example of the Lobito Corridor consortium joining forces beyond the railways to support rural transport connectivity that will serve to link communities to each other and to the larger regional corridor.
The third deal, related to the expansion of Rádio Nacional de Angola's FM signal and the modernization of studios, supported by technology from Ohio-based Gates Air, involves 40 million to expand analogue FM radio coverage to 95% of the Angolan population.
This key agreement will provide 168 Flexiva FM transmitters, antenna installation, towers, RF auxiliary systems and studio upgrades throughout 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 promote growth and economic imperatives shared by the United States and Africa, including the development of PGI's Lobito Corridor.
Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, and the Ekiti State Government, Nigeria, signed a multi-billion naira memorandum of understanding in Dallas to boost cassava cultivation.
The initiative aims to grow cassava on a large scale in the state, with an initial target of 100,000 hectares, through a programme of external producers.
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 throughout the length and breadth of the country.
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 US government officials took part in the panels, forums and high-level dialogues, enriching the dialogue and promoting ties between nations.
Angola could host next summit
The Dallas Summit ended without confirmation of the next country to host the event, but according to the organization, Angola has submitted its application.
According to a group of members of the Corporate Council of Africa, the wish was expressed by President João Lourenço, who left the city of Dallas on Wednesday.
Quoted by Angola's Public Television, the CEO of the Corporate Council of Africa, Florizelle Lizser, said João Lourenço had made clear his desire to organize the summit. Elj/ART/AMP
