U.S. -Africa
Business Week
September 23
NYC |
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USAfrica Business Week
is designed as a curated gateway to regional trade,
guiding participants
into the right African markets through insights,
structured engagement, strategic dialogue, and deal
execution.
For over eight years, UBW has operated as a
high-level convening platform advancing trade and
investment between Africa and the United States
connecting opportunity with capital and engagement
with execution.
Building on
the success of previous editions which have
facilitated over $2 billion in deal engagement and
convened governors, ministers, heads of agencies,
senior officials, and business leaders, USAFRICA
Business Week continues to provide a focused
platform for high-level engagement
and deal-making.
For the first time ever, UBW comes to Africa
bringing together the African diaspora and
continental stakeholders on African soil to build
real partnerships, unlock opportunities, and shape
the future of global trade.
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UNGA High-Level Week - Sept. 23,
2026
The New York convening remains the flagship USAfrica
Business Week platform, held during UNGA in NYC,
bringing together ministers, investors, corporate
leaders, and diaspora executives for focused
engagement on trade, capital, and partnerships. UBW
convenes a curated group of stakeholders aligned
around opportunity and execution.
Participation is structured.
Engagement is intentional.
Outcomes are prioritized
www.usafricabusinessweek.org.
Gbenga Omotayo
Convener, USAfrica Business Week
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Featured
Keynotes |
HE Dauda
Lawal
Governor, Zamfara State |
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Louis
Watum Kabamba
Minister of Mines for the DRC |
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HE Caleb
Mutfwang
Governor of Plateau State |
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Dr.
Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure
The Minister of State for the (FCT) |
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The Hon.
Reta Jo Lewis
CEO, Export-Import Bank, U.S.A |
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Latrice Monique Walker
New York State Assembly. |
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Featured Panels |
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The New
U.S.–Africa Trade Relationship
A focused conversation on the evolving policy,
export, market-access and institutional landscape
shaping trade between the United States and Africa.
Jane Reindorf-Osei
Moderator | Founder & CEO, Africa Investment Network
(AIN)
Reta Jo Lewis
Former President and Chair, Export-Import Bank of
the United States
O. Felix Obi, MPM
Member, USTR Industry Trade Advisory Committee
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,
Nigeria |
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The
Industrial Africa Conversation
Critical Minerals • Energy • Infrastructure
Examining the capital, legal frameworks,
infrastructure and partnerships required to convert
strategic resources and major projects into bankable
industrial growth.
Louis Watum Kabamba
Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dr. Femi Salami
Chair, Mining and Minerals Forum at Africa
Economic Forum
Alexandra Esmel
Associate, Corporate & Projects Group, Bird & Bird;
Project Finance, Energy & Infrastructure Lawyer
Don Christensen
Executive Chairman, InvestBank Corp.; Investor |
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Regional
Growth Hub: Markets to Watch
Three African Markets • Three Regional Opportunities
A rapid comparison of regional opportunities, growth
priorities and the partnerships needed to move from
interest to market entry.
Dr. Mariam Temitope Masha
Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria
Stephen Blewett
Chief Executive Officer, MTN Ghana
Hon. Dr. Litha Musyimi-Ogana
Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) |
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The
Governors’ Investment Desk
What’s Investable Now?
Participating leaders answer three questions: What
are you building? What is investable now? What
capital, technology or partnership do you need?
H.E. Dauda Lawal
Governor, Zamfara State, Nigeria — Invited
H.E. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang
Governor, Plateau State, Nigeria — Invited
H.E. Mohammed Umar Bago
Governor, Niger State, Nigeria
H.E. Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris
Governor, Kebbi State, Nigeria — Invited
H.E. Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR
Governor, Abia State, Nigeria — Invited |
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To view the full Program click this link |
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Louis
Watum Kabamba
Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dr. Femi Salami
Chair, Mining and Minerals Forum at Africa
Economic Forum
Alexandra Esmel
Associate, Corporate & Projects Group, Bird & Bird;
Project Finance, Energy & Infrastructure Lawyer
Don Christensen
Executive Chairman, InvestBank Corp.; Investor |
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Dr. Mariam Temitope Masha
Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria
Stephen Blewett
Chief Executive Officer, MTN Ghana
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Dilip
Chauhan, the Deputy Commissioner for Trade,
Investment, and Innovation in the NYC Mayor's Office
for International Affairs. |
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Selfie Corner |
Please
e-mail or WeChat , WhatsApp your favorite Selfie
from the
US Africa
Business Week
to
Gerard@blacktiemagazine.com
WeChat
WhatsApp
Please label
US Africa
Business Week
&
Caption the names
left to right
and we
will add your picture to this page.
This opportunity will close on 9 30 2026 |
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Dilip Chauhan , the Deputy Commissioner
for Trade, Investment, and Innovation in the
NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs.
Gbenga Omotayo, Convener, USAfrica Business Week
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Gbenga
Omotayo, |
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Chevelle,
Stephen Blewett |
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Ester
Waititu, Obinna Nwaokoro |
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Phil
Weber, Richard Thompson |
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Heritier
Deyonge, Peiam Sen |
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Funsho Ioowu, Gbenga
Omotayo, Ayotunge Fazawya |
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Vince
Vicari, Ward Corbett |
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Hon. Dr. Litha Musyimi-Ogana,Stephen
Blewett |
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Dilip Chauhan , the Deputy Commissioner for
Trade, Investment, and Innovation in the NYC
Mayor's Office for International Affairs.
Student Volunteers. Lotte Andersen, Gabriella
Frykman, Elly |
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Gerard Mc
Keon, Aqi Omotayo, Priam Sen |
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Gerard Mc
Keon, Publish, Black Tie International Magazine
See
you all again next Year! |
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Selected
Past Coverage by
Black Tie International Magazine |
2025
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Black Tie
International Magazine
USAfrica Business Week |
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Convener, USAfrica Business Week
Karen Booker,
Chairperson, USAfrica Business Week
CEO, Alkebulan Global
Hon. Latrice Monique Walker, ESQ
Member of Assembly 55th District |
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USAfrica
Business Week
September 20 & 22 2025
NYC |
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Convener, USAfrica Business Week |
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Convener, USAfrica Business Week
H.E.
Louis Watum Kabamba
Minister of Mines
of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Vivian
Ojo
Director AB Overshare |
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Hon.
Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure,
Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, CFCT,
Abuja. |
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H.E.
Caleb Muftwang
Governor of Plateau State,Nigeria |
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The Hon.
Reta Jo Lewis
Fmr. President and CEO, Export-Import Bank, U.S.A |
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H.E.
Dauda Lawal
Governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria |
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Rev.
Zachary Oliver |
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Ralph
Charles
Director of Programming USAfrica Business
Selina Hayes
Founder & CEO, Hayes Group International,
Mahnaz Khan
Silverado Policy Institute
Col. C. Derek Campbell
Executive Chairman, LVC Global Holdings; |
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Bez Owusu
Chairman of Ignite Mining
Gbenga Omotayo,
Executive Director, USAFRIA Business Expo
Jaye Connolly
CEO & Chairman, RippleNami Inc.
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Vivian
OYO Ngozi Oyewole
CEO, Noxie Limited
Dr. Rotimi Akinyemiju
Founder & CEO - Intesup, LLC
Brian Laung Aoaeh, CFA
Co-Founder, Refashioned, Worldwide SupplyChain
Federation
Nombasa Mawela-
Dubai Real Estate Pioneer & Business Leader |
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Congresswoman
Sheila Cherfilus McCormick
Florida's 20th congressional district |
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Marilyn
Crawford
President & CEO, Windsor Primetime LLC |
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Oren
Wyche-Shaw
Head of Investments and
Partnerships at YAATRA Ventures LLC |
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Vincent Vicari,
Regional Director
Small Business Development Center
Congresswoman
Sheila Cherfilus McCormick
Florida's 20th congressional district |
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Ralph
Charles
Director of Programming USAfrica Business
Selina Hayes
Founder & CEO, Hayes Group and H.E. Louis
H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba
Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of
Congo |
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Selected
Past Coverage by
Black Tie International Magazine
2022 |
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USAfrica
Business Expo//Conference//Awards
Photos and article by
Black Tie International Magazine/ Gerard Mc Keon
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Executive Director, USAFRIA Business Expo
Nina-Belle Mbayu, Esq,
Moderator for the Conference |
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Eric L.
Adams
11th Mayor of New York |
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Deborah
D. Feggins, Client Care Specialist, EXIM
LaTaunya Darden, Business Development Specialist,
Exim
Lilian Okoli, CEO, HEDi,
Esther Ephobamien-Mishelia
Founder, Ceo, Wadhi |
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Caroline
Desjardins, Vice President of OWIT, New York
Chapter.
Susan J. Mukanganyama, CEO, NCBC
Jane Olivia, Founder, Jane Olivia Designs
History of South Africa and America Jewelry
Lilian Okoli,
CEO, HEDi,
Olivia Nantongo,
US Diaspora Coordinator on Trade and Investment,
Diaspora Unit
The Republic of Uganda, Office of the President
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Richard
C. Cosgrove, Supervisory Agricultural Operations.
Manager CBP, New York Field Office
Anne Keller, Deputy Assistant Director, Trade and
Cargo Security,
New York Field Office
Magrette Garcia, Program CBP, New York Field Office
Manager
Anita Harris, CBP, Chief Textile Policy, Office of
Trade |
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Vincent
Vicari,
Regional Director
Small Business Development Center
Kathleen Cronin, Regional Center Assit and Outreach,
NJSBDC |
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Dilip
Chauhan
Deputy Commissioner,
Mayor's Office for International Affairs |
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Anne
Keller,
Deputy Assistant Director, Trade and Cargo Security,
New York Field Office |
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Richard
C. Cosgrove,
Supervisor Agricultural Operations.
Manager CBP, New York Field Office |
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Gerard Mc
Keon
Publisher, Black Tie International Magazine
Dr. Ugoji A. Eze, Esq ,
CEO and President of Renew Our Earth
Kathleen
Cronin, Regional Center Assit and Outreach, NJSBDC
Esther Ephobamien-Mishelia
Founder, Ceo, Wadhi
Victoria Akai,
Director General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and
Industry
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Edward
Mermelstein,
Commissioner,
Mayor's Office for International Affairs |
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Adoye
Owolewa,
United State Representative,
District of Columbia (Shadow) |
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Andreas
Deutschman,
Senior Vice President,
Palladium Capital Group |
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Michelle
Walker-Davis,
Managing Partner, Chief Development Officer, IMG
LaTaunya Darden,
Business Development Specialist, Exim
Vanessa Bucher, CEo, Capital Advisors
Andreas Deutschman,
Senior Vice President,
Palladium Capital Group
Vanessa Bouchereau-Vincent, FRM
CEO, Managing Partner
KCR |
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Vincent
Vicari,
Regional Director
Small Business Development Center
Kathleen Cronin, Regional Center Assit and Outreach,
NJSBDC |
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Aurora
Aquino,
International Business Affairs
New Future Foundation
Esther Ephobamien-Mishelia
Founder, Ceo, Wadhi
Vanessa Bouchereau-Vincent, FRM
CEO, Managing Partner
KCR
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Bernhard
Poitevien
Founder
International Association of Moringa |
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Jonathan
Sellers,
CEO,
Sparks Outbound Digital Marketing |
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Bora,
Business Development,
Beauty Essence Incorporated |
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Esther
Ephobamien-Mishelia
Founder, Ceo,
Wadhi |
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Executive Director, USAFRIA Business Expo
Senator James Sanders JR
10th Senate District
New York State Senate
Vincent Vicari,
Regional Director
Small Business Development Center
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Gbenga
Omotayo,
Executive Director, USAFRIA Business Expo
Latrice Monique Walker
Assembly Women
55th District
New York State Assembly
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Aurora
Aquino,
International Business Affairs
New Future Foundation |
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Gerard Mc
Keon
Publisher, Black Tie International Magazine
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