Unlocking New Opportunities: USAfrica Business Expo returns to Newark, New Jersey, for its 5th Edition in March 2023.

NEW YORK, NY January 10, 2023 — USAfrica Trade and Business Network is pleased to announce the fifth edition of the USAfrica Business Expo, a hybrid event on the margins of the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women (UNCSW67) featuring a Pre-orientation tour, Conference, Exhibition, & Participation in select UN events and will hold from Tuesday 7th, March to Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Marriott International Airport Hotel, Newark, New Jersey.

The USAfrica Business Expo Week is a B2B Trade Show, Conference & Networking event that will have a line-up of diverse and world-class speakers, relevant Government & Industry Experts in attendance for critical business & trade workshops to kick-start collaboration, relevant networking Sessions that create new opportunities, Display opportunities, and access to relevant resources in the Exhibitor Hall, a Fun, High-Energy & Collaborative Environment, and B2B Matchmaking with a potential investor, Franchisor or Partner.

The Expo, under the theme “Advancing International Trade through the Export and Prosper Program for US and African MSMEs,” aims to improve the trade relations between the United States and Africa. It will bring together Government Officials, Diplomats, and Private Sector practitioners from 193 member States attending the UNCSW67 and offers enormous leverage for navigation to International markets and an enabling arena where opportunities are created, deals are made, and where different government bodies engage for thriving business relations and trade cooperation. 

“We are honored to host this event during the UNCSW67 to provide a platform, especially for women-owned businesses, to connect and engage in meaningful business opportunities. We believe that the Export and Prosper Program will play a vital role in driving economic growth and prosperity for US and African female entrepreneurs,” said Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director USAfrica Trade and Business Network. 

The Export and Prosper Program aims to support U.S. and African MSMES in expanding their international trade by providing access to resources, networks, and support services. The program will focus on helping businesses identify potential customers, suppliers, and partners and provide training and mentoring on export-related topics. “The core of our organization is to help MSMEs harness the Export and Prosper Program at this edition of the USAfrica Business Expo. Our goal is to connect the US and African MSMEs with the resources they need to expand their international trade and drive economic growth and prosperity,” said Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network.

For over six years, The USAfrica Trade and Business Network has hosted multiple events at the UN to connect organizations and enterprises with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities. Many connections made at these events have led to long-term relationships and strategic partnerships. USAfrica Trade and Business Network will ensure the Expo offers an experience of the same unrivaled energy and quality that it has become known for, specifically in networking experience, expo booths, demo presentations, and workshops. 

This edition will bring together 100+ small business owners, Investors, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Top Govt Leaders & Senior Execs, top business executives, Franchisees, Exporters and Manufacturers, and Senior Business, Political, and Diplomatic leaders. 

For more information, in-person participation, registration, exhibition, and sponsorship, 

please visit https://www.usafricabusinessexpo.com/, email partner@usafricahub.com, or contact +1 (917) 826 3566

New York City Mayor, Eric L. Adams Declares New York Open for Business with Africa at the USAfrica Business Expo During the 77th General Assembly in New York

NEW YORK, NY September 16, 2022 — On September 16, the eve of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), Mayor Eric L. Adams – 11th Mayor of New York, delivered the Keynote address on “New York Open for Business: Trade and Investment Opportunities with Africa” at the USAfrica Business Expo — a B2B trade show, conference, award & networking event aimed at helping African businesses expand into international markets and equally connect business owners to resources needed to be successful.

Mayor Eric Adams, New York City International Relations commissioner Mr. Edward Mermelstein, and his deputy, Mr. Dilip Chauhan, unveiled New York City’s plan for economic recovery through NYC – Africa export-import trade and Sister City Agenda. This address was made to a section of Head of Missions, UN Agencies, Captains of Industry, Development & Trade Partners, MSMEs, Investors, and Political & Diplomatic Leaders from across the continent of Africa and the five boroughs of New York. 

“This UNGA UN General Assembly week was so important and significant to me. I couldn’t wait for the opportunity of ensuring that I can reconnect with the African diaspora. Throughout my travels to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and all the places that I went to reconnect with my ancestors personally, just to get the spiritual energy, I knew that this opportunity was a significant one,” said Mayor Eric Adams, who has continued to build a prosperous relationship with the African continent. 

Gbenga Omotayo, the Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network, spoke about the USAfrica Business Week, highlighting that at a UN Event the previous day, they engaged in a discussion on AfCFTA, the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is a market of 1.3 billion of people without any frontiers, no limitations or barriers and this is why the vision of the USAfrica trade and business network is to help the emerging African market by facilitating the trade agreement between Africa and the United States.

Before the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, America had traded with many countries and established significant relationships, but it seemed that Africa had been left off of the conversation. “Africa has been ignored…every other country allows people to leave their country, come to America, use their political strength, economic strength, and know-how to go back to their country and build that country. We have not done that. That day ended on January 1, 2022, when I became the mayor of New York City,” declared Mayor Eric Adams. “Right now, you have the most important city in the most important country, some would say, on the globe. Now you have the mayor, who’s the Mayor of African ancestry, and that door of no return has been opened, and we will return and build back our relationships. We cannot squander or waste the moment,” added Mayor Eric Adams.

Mr. Edward Mermelstein, International Affairs Commissioner for New York City, highlighted that this is a very different administration from previous administrations by saying, “we are here to engage the international community, especially with Mayor Adams’ interest with respect to the continent of Africa. We are here to engage with African businesses, and we are here to promote and have NYC and its businesses invest in the continent of Africa” He postulated that if New York were a country, it would be the 11th largest economy in the world.

Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation for the office of the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, emphasized that New York is a multicultural city, and to quote Mr. Chauhan, “The mayor and I are proud that New York City is the largest home for the diplomatic community…and now New York City is very much engaged and now open for business…New York City is internationally connecting this business community and helping businesses expand in NYC.” 

Speaking about the Import and Prosper Program of the USAfrica Hub, Gbenga Omotayo underscored that the main aim of the USAfrica Trade and Business Network is to enhance trade and investment in Africa by empowering Africans to break into the international market. He stated that one of the challenges African businesses face is a lack of visibility due to limited market access. “There are no infrastructures, retail chains, global retail brands, and distributor networks. The diaspora is Africa’s secret weapon, and for Africa to thrive, we have to leverage the power of the diaspora. Many African diasporas want to do business on the African continent and have challenges doing this. Hence, the Hub, with the help of its veritable partners, provides this market access for the African diaspora to import products from verified and reliable businesses in Africa looking to scale and, in turn, prosper through white labeling and in turn, build equity in the long run,” said  Gbenga Omotayo, Executive Director of USAfrica Trade and Business Network.

The event, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters from Monday, 12, September to Saturday, September 17, 2022, was themed “Facilitating Export-Import Opportunity for US-Africa MSMEs for Sustainable Development” positions New York City and the State of New York as favorable destinations for Africa’s business & political leaders looking to create new trade partnerships. This edition brought together 100+ small business owners, Investors, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Top Govt Leaders & Senior Execs, top business executives, Franchisees, Exporters, Manufacturers, Senior Business, Political, and Diplomatic leaders. Also in attendance were New York Elected Officials. 

The USAfrica Business Expo is produced by USAfrica Trade and Business Network, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization that has for over six years worked to promote and strengthen international trade and investment between the U.S and Africa. This is achieved by connecting U.S. and African organizations and businesses with new buyers, suppliers, and investment opportunities. Many of the connections made at this have led to long-term relationships and strategic partnerships.

For more information, to register for the next event, or join the USAfrica Hub, please visit https://www.usafricabusinessexpo.com/ or Email – partner@usafricahub.com.

NEW YORK, NY August 15, 2019—On September 20, the eve of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Her Excellency Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao – African Union Ambassador to the U.S.A., will lead other diplomats, and business leaders to the USAfrica Business Expo — a B2B trade show, conference & networking event aimed at helping African businesses expand into international markets and to equally connect business owners to resources needed to be successful.

“The expo has been created as an effective platform to help increase the exports of developing countries by aiding African businesses, exporters and government agencies maximize initiatives such as AGOA, Prosper Africa and AcfTA, and to help find new international markets for export-ready products.” said Gbenga Omotayo, CEO Pacetas Agency and founder of the USAfrica Business Expo.

Slated to be held at the Millennium Hilton One UN Plaza, this year’s event themed “US-Africa Opportunity for Business & Trade Development” positions New York City and State as favorable destinations for Africa’s business & political leaders looking to create new trade partnerships.

To be marked with targeted B2B matchmaking, keynotes speeches and panel discussions, attending will be small business owners and entrepreneurs, investors and diplomats as well as political figures and government officials who will discuss the latest policy and opportunities.

“Following the successful launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa is now the single largest market with over $1.2 billion consumers with no frontiers and offers new markets for the U.S. made products. Similarly, the U.S. serves as an untapped market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for authentic African products,” concludes Gbenga Omotayo.

Confirmed speakers include:

● HE Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao – African Union Ambassador to the U.S.A.
● HE Benaoyagha Okoyen – Consul General, Nigerian Consulate New York
● HE Prof. Samuel Amoako – Consul General, Ghanaian Consulate New York
● Gregg Bishop – Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services
● Dr. Cheryl Hill – Special Advisor on Bilateral Trade & Investment
● Madam Afua Asare – CEO, Ghana Export Promotion Council
● Fred Oladehinde – Chairman, AGOA Civil Society Network
● Gbenga Omotayo – Founder, Pacetas Agency

This event is produced by Pacetas Agency, a New York-based full-service marketing and event firm servicing global brands looking to target Africa niche markets.

To register or exhibit, visit https://USAfricaBusinessExpo.com/ or contact – 1-888-201-0447 or partner@usafricahub.com