Date: October 2, 2014
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:30pm
Location: American Security Project, 7th Floor West Tower, 1100 New York Ave. NW Washington, DC
The half-day event will bring together experts from the public and private sector, as well as policy makers and members of the media to discuss the mutually beneficial impacts of US private investment on the African continent, opportunities for practical investment, and how to effectively manage the accompanying risk.
12:00pm – 12:30pm Networking and Lunch Refreshments
12:30pm – 12:45pm Welcome by ASP – Mr. Nelson Cunningham
12:45pm – 1:45pm Panel One
Extending America’s National Security through Private Sector Investments
The panel will discuss how strengthening US-Africa economic ties through investment can increase stability and serve US national security interests without boots on the ground. It will also include an examination of the present roles of the United States government in taking forward these concepts by supporting private investment.
Chair: Mr. Nelson Cunningham, McLarty Associates
Panelists: Director Leocadia Zak, USTDA
PDAS Robert P. Jackson, State Department
Mr. Scott Eisner, VP Africa Affairs and International Operation – US Chamber of Commerce
2:00pm –3:00pm Panel Two
Opportunities for Investment in Africa
The panel will discuss investment opportunities across sectors and regions in Africa with a focus on energy, petrochemicals, and telecommunications. The focus will be on key geographic opportunities, potential ROIs, and how the US government and individual embassies can support US private investment in Africa.
Chair: Mr. Peter Choharis, Choharis Global Solutions
Panelists: Mr. Patrice Backer, COO – AFIG Funds
Mr. Jake Cusack, Managing Partner– Crossboundary
Ms. Carolyn Campbell, Managing Partner- EPC
Mr. Fadi Elsalameen, Principal – YCF Group
*Networking Opportunity with Refreshments*
3:30 pm– 4:30pm Panel Three
How to Invest and Manage Risk for US Companies
The panel will examine mechanisms for investment and how to most effectively manage the accompanying risk. As the capstone discussion, topics will include how to secure capital, navigating various regulatory environments, managing risk insurance, preferred financial centers, and how to best secure shareholder return.
Chair: Mr. Fadi Elsalameen, Principal – YCF Group
Panelists: Mr. Dante Disparte, Managing Director – Clements Worldwide
Dr. Barbara Samuels, Executive Director – Global Clearing House for Development Finance; UN FfD Business Steering Committee
Mr. Andrew Herscowitz, Power Africa and Trade Africa Coordinator – USAID
Mr. John Moran, VP of Insurance – OPIC
Sponsors:
