Mauritius is set to become the focal point of global commerce this July as it hosts the 18th U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Expected to attract 2,500 delegates, including African heads of state and U.S. C-suite leaders, the event serves as a premier platform for driving investment between the United States and the African continent.
Speaking at MaCarty House on 6 May, during the Corporate Council on Africa technical visit to Mauritius, Florizelle Liser, President and CEO of the CCA, described Mauritius as “a living example of what Africa can achieve.” She emphasised that the choice of venue was deliberate: “I remind people that this is not the U.S.-Mauritius Summit. This is the U.S.-Africa Business Summit. And Mauritius is going to be a fantastic host. You are an example of what Africa can do — and what African countries can do.”
Addressing the critical need for trade certainty regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Ms Liser added, “We at CCA completely agree that we need a long-term renewal of AGOA — at least 10 years — and we need it sooner rather than later. It will be mutually beneficial: good for African countries, companies, entrepreneurs, and workers, but also good for American companies, workers, and consumers.”
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Craig Halbmaier highlighted the strategic importance of the event for bilateral relations, noting, “We have very clear orders from Washington. This is to be a grand success — and then we need to follow up and follow through. Our embassies are already planning follow-up meetings, to see what deals have been struck, what partnerships have been formed, and how we can help advance them.” Looking ahead to the timing of the event, he remarked, “There’s going to be a great moment, lots of momentum driving this all forward.”
Aadil Ameer Meea, Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, stated that the gathering is a sign of “serious intent” and a mission to “move from goodwill to business, from dialogue to delivery, from interest to investment, and from contact to contract.”
The Minister underscored that “Mauritius is a serious partner” and that the Summit must be a “serious business platform” that generates “real business leads, real pipelines, and real partnerships that continue long after the closing dinner.” He described the nation as a “trusted platform for structuring, financing, and managing business into Africa and the Indian Ocean,” concluding with the message: “Mauritius is open for business. Mauritius is connected to Africa. Mauritius is a trusted partner.”
Jean-Raymond Boulle, Vice-Chairman of the CCA, who was instrumental in bringing the Summit to the island, noted its historical significance in a statement: “The CCA U.S.-Africa Business Summit will be the most important occasion in trade and investment for our nation since the AGOA itself. It will be our opportunity to demonstrate why Mauritius remains Africa’s undisputed commercial gateway.”
Mr Boulle also urged delegates to look beyond finance: “We should take the opportunity to showcase Mauritius as being much more than a financial hub. We are the custodians of one of the planet’s most admired conservation success stories and a global pioneer of the Blue Sea Economy… These are not just environmental credentials; they are powerful investment credentials.”
The Summit will take place in the north of the island, covering key sectors including fintech, energy, agribusiness, and AI.
