Corporate Council on Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is a trade association focusing on strengthening commercial relationships between the United States and the African continent.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Background
- CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501(3) (c) membership organization of nearly 200 U.S. companies
- CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total US private sector investments in Africa.
- CCA works closely with governments, multilateral groups and business to improve the African continent's trade and investment climate, and to raise the profile of Africa in the US business community.
- CCA programs are designed to bring together potential business partners and raise Africa's investment profile in the US by developing critical contacts and business relationships and providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.[2]
[edit] President Stephen Hayes
Stephen Hayes, the President of the Council, was appointed in August 1999. Immediately prior to his appointment, Mr. Hayes was a consultant to Winnington Limited of London, a private European holding company. He was involved in issues affecting the African oil trade as well as the development of agricultural projects in Africa. He was also international projects advisor to the Washington-based firm of Cohen & Woods International, which specializes in U.S./African economic and political relations.
Prior to joining Winnington, Mr. Hayes was president of the American Center for International Leadership and international program director for AFS International/Intercultural Programs. A graduate of Indiana University with a Masters Degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University, Mr. Hayes has also served as director of International Projects at the University of Denver. He served several years as a consultant to the UN Development Program and has chaired and directed more than 25 international conferences.[3]
[edit] HIV/AIDS Initiative
The CCA HIV/AIDS Initiative was established in September 2003 through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to assist CCA members in combating a perceived deterrent to trade and investment on the continent: HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Initiative receives additional funding from The World Bank, UNAIDS, The Ford Foundation and Merck & Co..
The Corporate Council on Africa works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa by increasing private sector involvement in prevention, care and treatment programs and by helping businesses mitigate the negative impact of the disease on productivity, competitiveness and the general trade environment.[4]
[edit] South Africa International Business Linkages
With a tenfold increase in global trade, South Africa is one of the most promising markets in the world and Africa’s most developed economy. South Africa International Business Linkages (SAIBL) provides a gateway to this market and to the rest of Africa. SAIBL empowers business through trade and investment partnerships between historically disadvantaged (Individuals discriminated against under apartheid) South African small and medium enterprises and U.S. companies, South African corporations, and multinationals.
For historically disadvantaged South African companies, SAIBL offers training and business capacity support. SAIBL mentors growth-oriented enterprises to become locally and internationally competitive, and introduces them to new markets and buyers.
For U.S. companies, South African corporations, and multinationals, SAIBL identifies pre-screened South African partners and suppliers.
SAIBL brings together qualified business partners and suppliers for:
- Procurement contracts and tenders
- Import/export
- Distributorships
- Trade and marketing partnerships
- Licensing and franchising
- Equity investments
- Joint ventures[5]
[edit] The Africa Journal
The Africa Journal is a quarterly publication of the Corporate Council on Africa which aims to raise Africa’s profile as a business destination with numerous and diverse opportunities.
The Africa Journal’s Objectives are to:
- Provide a synopsis of important trade policy and political developments in Africa;
- Introduce key figures and stakeholders in the U.S.-Africa business and government community;
- Feature analysis and in-depth features on current economic & political developments;
- Highlight CCA member companies and businesses’ success in Africa; and
- Inform readers of CCA’s programs, services, and events.[6]
References:
