October 20, 2023

United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum

(AGOA Forum)

November 2 - 4, 2023, Johannesburg, South Africa

“Partnering to Build a Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive AGOA to Support Economic Development,
Industrialization and Quality Job Creation”

Agenda

Wednesday, 1 November 2023

09:00 – 17:30 AGOA African Senior Officials Meeting (closed to media)
Location: Bateleur 1

Thursday, 2 November 2023 (closed to media)

09:00 am Made in Africa Exhibition starts (open to trade people only)

Location: Hall 6

Private Sector and Organized Labor and Civil Society Forum

Location: Civil Society Hub, Hall 6

09:00 – 5:30 pm Private Sector Forum

Location: Business Hub, Hall 6

09:00 – 1:00 pm Organized Labor Discussions

Location: Oragnised Labour / Civil Society Hub, Hall 6

1:00 – 5:00 pm Civil Society Discussions

Location: Organised Labour /Civil Society Hub, Hall 6

11:00-13:00 Meeting of African Ministers of Trade and Industry

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In attendance: (1+7)

Location: Bateleur 1 in AGOA Village

13:00-15:00 Luncheon hosted by Minister Patel in honor of Ministers of Trade and Industry

In attendance: (1+7 tbc)

Location: IBC Hall

15:00 – 17:00 Minister Patel leads African Ministers of Trade in a walkabout in the Exhibition Centre

17:00 Departure of AGOA Ministers of Trade and Industry for the Hotels

Friday Nov 3, 2023

Made in Africa Exhibition continues

8:15 AM-8:45 AM Tour Made in Africa Exhibition: President Ramaphosa is conducted on a

guided tour of “Made in Africa by Minister Patel and Ambassador Tai

Location: Hall 6 in AGOA Village

[Open to the Press]

8:45 AM Return to Plenary Room for Opening Ceremony

[President Ramaphosa returns to S.A. hold room); Minister Patel and Ambassador
Tai proceed to Opening Ceremony Plenary.]

8:45 AM-9:00 AM Seating of Delegates for Ministerial

9:00 AM Ministerial Opening Ceremony

[Open to the Press.]

Master of Ceremony: Minister Ntshavheni

9:00 AM-9:10 AM South Africa, African Union and United States Anthems

9:10 AM-9:20 AM Cultural Performance

9:20 AM-9:25 AM Remarks by Honorable Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade,

Industry, and Competition of South Africa
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October 20, 2023

9:25 AM-9:30 AM Remarks by H.E. Mr. Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for
Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals

9:30 AM-9:35 AM Remarks by Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade

Representative

[Ambassador Tai introduces video -TBC]

9:50 AM-9:55 AM Video Speech by POTUS (TBC)

9:55 AM-10:00 AM Minister Ebrahim Patel introduces President Ramaphosa

10:00 AM-10:20 AM Opening Speech by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic
of South Africa

10:20 AM-10:25 AM Family Photo: President Ramaphosa and Trade Ministers

[Trade Ministers join President Ramaphosa onstage for a Family

Photo.]

10:25 AM-10:30 AM Minister Patel announces the departure of President Ramaphosa

President Ramaphosa Departs

[Press departs, returning during the Closing Ceremony]

10:30 – 10:34 am Readout from African Trade Ministers’ Consultative Meeting

10:34 – 10:38 am Readout on AGOA Private Sector Forum

10:38 – 10:41 am Readout from Civil Society Forum

10:41 – 10:45 am Readout from Trade Union Forum

10:45-11:00 Refreshment Break

Ministers and VIPS - Location: Hall 10A
Delegates - Location Hall 10B

11:00 – 12:15 pm PLENARY 1: AGOA’s Successes and Lessons Learned: Informing the Path Ahead
Location: Hall 10 in AGOA Village

Co-Chairs:
Hon. Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa
Ambassador Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative

After AGOA was signed into law in 2000, it exceeded initial expectations creating jobs, promoting investment
and the rise of new business opportunities, and contributing significantly to economic development in beneficiary
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countries. There was a surge of first-time investments in the region, particularly in the apparel sector. Yet
despite these successes, sub-Saharan Africa’s share of U.S. imports over the life of the program has remained at
about one percent, so the program has helped the region maintain its share of a U.S. growing market but not gain
ground beyond a relatively small foothold. With AGOA currently due to expire in 2025, Plenary 1 will focus on
African countries’ AGOA success stories, as well as deliberate on limitations facing African countries in
diversifying their export sectors and improving their AGOA utilization. Reauthorization of AGOA provides an
opportunity to work together to make AGOA more transformative and ensure that the program can be an effective
tool for inclusive and sustainable economic development and regional integration that benefits workers.

The session will explore among others:

• examples of how AGOA eligible countries have taken advantage of AGOA and the resulting
economic and developmental impacts of AGOA, and the regional values chains that formed.
• the key factors that contributed to those successes.
• the key impediments to greater utilization of AGOA and whether the AGOA utilization plans that
countries have developed have enabled better success in the utilization of AGOA.

12:20 – 1:45 pm VIP Lunch (for Trade Ministers and Heads of Delegation)
Location: Hall 10A in AGOA Village

“Trade and Competition Policy Nexus – Balancing Trade and Competition Policy in the
Era of Globalization”

Master of Ceremonies:
Deputy Director General: Ms Lerato Mataboge

Introductory Remarks: (USG Principal)

Keynote Speaker: Competition Commissioner TBD

Delegates Lunch
Location: IBC Hall

1:50 – 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1
Addressing the Impediments and Challenges Facing Increased AGOA Utilization and Joint Export
Promotion Strategies

AGOA as a preferential access programme provides duty free quota free access to a number of products from
eligible African countries. A number of challenges inhibit the capacity of eligible countries to produce and export
more advanced, processed products that are price-competitive, meet global standards, and fulfill the AGOA rules
of origin. As such the utilisation rate of the market access opportunities provided by AGOA is low.

The session will explore among others:

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• the constraints that are facing AGOA eligible countries from utilising the market access
opportunities presented by AGOA.
• the supply-side measures that can be implemented to complement AGOA to enhance the ability of
eligible Members to leverage AGOA to promote better utilisation by eligible countries.
• actionable strategies for African countries to maximize the benefits of AGOA by collaborating with
the U.S. in facilitating platforms for trade promotion.
• the lessons learned, including what key issues and considerations are important to increase AGOA
utilization and formulate the path ahead for deeper Africa-US trade and investment relationship?

Location: Black Eagle 1 and 2

Co-Chairs:
• U.S. Department of State Chief Economist Dr. Emily Blanchard
• Minister of Trade of Mauritius

Panelists:
• USAID, Private Sector
• UNECA
• UNCTAD
• US
• Private sector representative – Lesotho
• Private sector representative – West Africa (French speaking country)

Breakout Session 2
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Africa

Agriculture is central to fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving food security in the Southern
African region. More than 70 percent of the rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, and
regional economic growth has been constrained by poor performance in the agriculture sector. Achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals on poverty will largely depend on increasing agricultural productivity and trade.

The session will explore among others:

• What are the key constraints for market access into the US market for SSA countries?
• How can food security be enhanced to achieve the SDGs?
• What can be done in the context of AGOA to boost production and trade of SSA countries?
• Areas of cooperation that can be prioritized between Africa and the US to make countries more
competitive and better able to bolster food security, sustainable production, agricultural innovation,
and farmer livelihoods

Location: Black Eagle 3

USG Co-Chair:
Ambassador Doug McKalip, USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator
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African Co-Chair:
• Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry

Panelists:
• African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, (confirmed).
• Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union (pending
confirmation)
• Sandrine Mariella Bayendi Loudit, Acting Director, Inter-African Phytosanitary Council, Africa
Union, Gabon (Alternate if Godfrey Bahiigwa is not available).
• Hennie Groenewald, Biosafety South Africa (pending confirmation)

Breakout Session 3

Fostering Enabling Environments to Expand Health Commodities Manufacturing

In view of increasing chances of health pandemics and emergencies, the expansion and diversification of
localities for the manufacturing of health commodities is vital. This session will discuss safeguarding the health
and economic security of the African continent and will elicit input from participants on key considerations that
foster sustainable local manufacturing and markets.
The session will focus on among others:
•mechanisms to enhance effective response measures and ensure affordable, equitable access to
essential medical tools and address concentration in production and foster technology transfer
• mechanisms to strengthening regulatory frameworks (including reliance mechanisms) to build
capacity, improve harmonization and ensure high-quality, cost competitive production of African
medical products.
• the importance of utilizing local/regional procurement preferences to enable sustainable market
demand.
• strategies to drive supply chain resilience (including during health crises and other disruptions) and
enhance infrastructure/logistics to strengthen intra- and inter- continental trade—highlighting
advance market commitments and other innovative financing.
Location: Bateleur 2

USG Co-Chair:
• Dr. John Nkengasong, Ambassador-at-large, SGAC/Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy,
DOS

African Co-Chair:
• Senegal, Minister of Trade and Industry

Panelists:
• Iain Barton, Health4Development {moderator}
• Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, AfCDC
• Ms. Chimwemwe Chamdimba, AMRH Program Lead, AUDA-NEPAD
• Emmanuel Mujuru, Chair of Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (FAPMA)
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• Delese Mimi Darko, CEO, Ghana FDA

• Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, CEO, SAHPRA

3:15 – 3:30 pm Refreshment Break

Ministers and VIPS - Location: Hall 10A
Delegates - Location Hall 10B

3:30 – 5:00 pm Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 4

Boosting and Diversifying Exports Under AGOA through Initiatives Including Prosper Africa’s Buyer-
Supplier Network

African leaders have restated their determination to seize emerging opportunities to foster industrial development
as an effective and sustainable means towards economic transformation. Many African countries have over the
years experienced an unprecedented growth rate, partly linked to a “commodity-boom” and sound economic
governance. Nevertheless, there has been a subdued industrial activity largely ascribed to a number of supply-side
constraints. AGOA continues to provide beneficiary countries with an important comparative advantage in
exporting in the U.S. Prosper Africa is the U.S. Government initiative to increase two-way trade and investment
between the United States and African countries. This session will look at initiatives to boost and diversify exports
under AGOA. It will highlight a business opportunity platforms, which help small businesses to meet market
demands and scale production to fill large quantity export orders.

The session will explore:

• successes on diversification of exports by AGOA beneficiary countries into the US
• the key constraints in Africa’s diversification efforts?
• the strategies that can be implemented by African countries to boosting value-added exports into the US
market
• examples of partnerships with the US to boost Africa’s local production and diversify Africa’s export base

Location: Black Eagle 1 and 2

USG Co-Chair:
• British Robinson, Coordinator for Prosper Africa

African Co-Chair:
• Minister of Trade - Kenya

Panelists:
• Sasol Representative

Breakout Session 5

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Diversifying Global Supply Chains

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the vulnerabilities associated with an overdependence on fragile global
supply chains have been exposed. Supply chain bottlenecks have also contributed to a slower than expected
economic recovery in many countries. These have highlighted the profound fault lines in the concentration of
production and have emphasised the need to diversify production across the world. There is also a rise of unilateral
measures that risk the fragmentation of global supply chains.

The session will consider among others:

• areas of cooperation between African countries to promote resilience of global supply chains, including in
the context of climate change in a manner that promotes diversification and addresses concentration of
production
• opportunities for forging a strategic partnerships between the US and Africa to promote resilience and
effective and meaningful integration of African countries in global value -chains and U.S. government tools
and services to diversify global supply chains by enhancing the role that the African continent plays in the
global import-export economy.
• lessons that can be drawn from the multiplicity of crisis (COVID-19, food insecurity, geopolitical tensions)
and what is required to promote sustainable development and economic recovery.
• strategies required to position African countries in the current process of the reconfiguration of supply-
chains to foster economic security and resilient supply-chains in uncertain times.

Location: Black Eagle 3

USG Co-Chair:
• Ramin Toloui, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs

African Co-Chair:
• Federal Republic of the Nigeria (proposed)

Panelists:
• Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director, Trade in Services, Investment, IPR and Digital Trade,
AfCFTA Secretariat (TBC)
• Franklin Amoo, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Baylis Emerging Markets
• Second U.S. panelist
• African panelists

Breakout Session 6

Accelerating AGOA Implementation and Access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

The concerted effort of the African continent of creating an integrated market has been achieved through the
establishment of the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA creates the world’s largest free trade area in the world by participating
markets, connecting 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of USD3 trillion as of 2022. Further, it sets out
ambitious long-term objectives to boost intra-Africa trade. It aims to create a single and liberalised market to
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achieve the vision of ‘an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa’. Furthermore, it seeks to increase Africa’s
competitiveness, and to promote the continent’s industrial and value chain development. The session will receive
an update from the SG of the AfCFTA Secretariat on the progress achieved in the implementation of the AfCFTA.

The session will focus on among others:

• How AGOA can complement the objectives of the AfCFTA to accelerate Africa’s industrialisation and
regional integration efforts.
• How can the new trade and investment opportunities presented by the AfCFTA be leveraged to ensure a
diversified export base in the African Continent to ensure better utilisation of AGOA
• operational steps and initiatives that can be undertaken to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA
• a discussion on how private sector and U.S. government efforts can help countries make better use of AGOA
and advance regional integration/AfCFTA implementation.

Location: Bateleur 1

USG Co-Chair:
• Judd Devermont National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs

African Co-Chair:
• Minister of Trade - Ghana

Panelists:
• AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene
• British Robinson, Coordinator for Prosper Africa
• Private sector participants – NAAMSA;
• US Pvt Sector Participant TBC

Breakout Session 7

Enhancing Women Workers’ Voices to Promote Rights at Work and Inclusive Development; Lessons from
Programs for Workers affected by Changes in Trade Conditions.

Trade can be an important contributor to inclusive development. However, the growing concern is that its benefits
are not shared equitably. The session will provide a platform to share experiences on the programmes that countries
have established to respond to the displacement of workers arising from trade liberalization. It will examine the
critical need to amplify the voices of women to advance workers’ rights and to promote inclusive socio-economic
development. It will also examine programs for workers, particularly from underserved communities, affected by
changes in trade conditions.

Location: Bateleur 2

Mr. Ayabonga Cawe, Commissioner, International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa

USG Co-Chair:
• U.S. Department of State Special Representative for Labor, Kelly Fay Rodriguez
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African Co-Chair:
• Honorable Minister of Trade, Industry, Business Development and Tourism, Mokhethi Shelile,
Kingdom of Lesotho (to be confirmed)

Panelists:
• Mathekiso Tsoeute (Female), Factory worker-Global Member of National Clothing Textile and Allied
Workers Union (NACTWU) First alternate: Popoty Ntebe (Female), Factory Worker -FAMOSA,
Member of United Textile Employees (UNITE), Second Alternate: Puleng Selebeli (Female), Factory
worker-FAMOSA, Member UNITE (Lesotho)
• Carolina Khamati Mugalla, Executive Secretary, East Africa Trade Union Confederation
• Keturah Johnson, International Vice President of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO
(confirmed)

17:00 – 17:15 pm Refreshment Break

Ministers and VIPS - Location: Hall 10A
Delegates - Location Hall 10B

17:15-19:00 Ministers of Trade and Industry are conducted to the Trade Ministers Only
Meeting

Location: Bateleur 1 in AGOA Village

Co-Chairs:
Ambassador Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative
Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition of South Africa

19:15 Ministers of Trade and Industry are conducted to the Dining Hall

19:30-21:00 Gala Dinner including and ‘’Made in Africa Fashion Show’’ for Ministers and invited
guests
Location: Hall 8 in AGOA Village

Programme

Master of ceremonies:
Mr Ayabonga Cawe, Commissioner for the International Trade Commission, South
Africa

19h00-19h05 Welcome Remarks by the Government of the Republic of South Africa by Minister Patel,

19h05-19h10 Remarks by the Government of the United States of America Ambassador Katherine Tai,
United States Trade Representative

19h30-20h30 African Fashion Show hosted by Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe Africa Fashion International
(AFI)
21h00 Departure of dignitaries

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19:30-21:00 Wine Tasting and Braai for Delegates - Hosted by Government of South Africa
Location: Exhibition Hall (Hall 6) in AGOA Village

Saturday Nov 4, 2023

Made in Africa Exhibition continues and Open Day for members of the Public

09:00 – 10:30 am PLENARY 2: Congressional Engagement

Location: Hall 10 in AGOA Village

U.S. Members of Congress will lead a conversation on AGOA and the future of AGOA with sub-Sahara African
Trade Ministers. U.S. Members of Congress will begin with individual opening remarks and then provide an
opportunity to Trade Ministers to share their perspectives on how the trade preference program can contribute to
the African Continent’s developmental and industrialization objectives, including making a contribution to Africa’s
Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement with a view to generate a meaningful discussion
on the trade preference program.

9:00 - 9:05 am Ambassador Tai Introduces Plenary, Welcomes U.S. Members of Congress (MCs), and
calls Members of Congress to deliver brief remarks

9:05 - 9:35 am U.S. Members of Congress deliver Individual Remarks

9:35 -10:28 am Ambassador Tai Facilitates a discussion with Trade Ministers

10:28 -10:30 am Ambassador Tai provides concluding remarks

10:30 -10:35 am Minister Patel provides concluding remarks

Guiding Questions: Not Applicable

10:35 – 10:45 pm Refreshment Break

Ministers and VIPS - Location: Hall 10A
Delegates - Location Hall 10B

10:45 – 12:15 pm Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 8

Partnership on Standards and Quality Assurance in Support of Increased intra-Africa trade and Trade
with the United States
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The session aims to discuss how to promote and increase intra-Africa trade and also trade with the United States on
industrial goods. Further, sessions will focus on the following issues:
• Harmonisation of regional standards and conformity assessments - Enabling the AfCFTA
• Role of the African Electro-technical Commission (AFSEC) – Greening the Electrotechnical Sector,
• ISO Action Plan for Developing Countries in support of international standardization
• Impact of IEC Conformity Assessment programmes on greening the economy,
• Standardisation best practice - Enabling trade with USA,

Location: Bateleur 2

African Co-Chair: Zambia

• TBD – South Africa

USG Co-Chair:
• TBD (ANSI)

Panelists:
• Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretaty General – ARSO
• Mr Bernard Modey President – AFSEC
• , Dr. Sadhvir Bissoon, ACEO – SABS
• Mr Paul Meanwell, Chairperson – IECEx Conformity Assessment Committee
• National Institute of Standards and Technology/ American Nationals Standards Institute (TBC)

Breakout Session 9

Digital Trade, a U.S. – African Economic Partnership

In recognition of the growing importance of digital trade to both the United States and Africa, the session will
look at practical areas of cooperation to address the digital divide and promote digital industrialization in Africa,
including through technology transfer. The session will also discuss potential areas of alignment between the
African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy and the newly announced Digital Trade with Africa (DTA)
initiative announced by President Biden in December 2022.

The session will explore among others:

• Mechanism to promote cooperation and address the digital divide

• Sharing of experiences to address abuse of market dominance in relation to digital platforms
• Exchange views on how to promote greater participation of SMEs in digital trade

Location: Black Eagle 1 and 2

USG Co-Chair:
• Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce (TBC)

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African Co-Chair:
• Minister of Trade DRC, or Mozambique

Panelists:
• Ms Lele Modise, MTN’s Group Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer
• Other Panelist TBC

Breakout Session 9

Empowering Africa-U.S. Trade and Investment: A Focus on Financing, Insurance and Reinsurance
Partnerships

The session will explore the funding partnerships for businesses including SMEs on the continent. The discussion
will discuss potential foreign direct investment opportunities in the industrial sector, infrastructure, energy and
digital economy. The session will also facilitate the discussion of panelists from ECIC, Afreximbank, US EXIM
Bank and ATI on how the strategic partnerships contribute to the success of global trade and in particular
AfCFTA.

Location: Black Eagle 3

USG Co-Chair:
• Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the U.S. Export and Import Bank (TBC)

African Co-Chair: Mozambique

• TBD
Panelists:
• ECIC,
• Afreximbank,
• ATI

12:30 – 2:00 pm VIP Lunch (for Trade Ministers and Heads of Delegation)
Location: Hall 10A

“Promoting SMEs and Women-Owned Enterprises for Trade”

Introductory Remarks: Minister Dlamini-Zuma – South Africa

Keynote Speaker: Pamela Cooke-Hamilton, Executive Director,
International Trade Center (TBC)
Remarks: Women owned enterprise (one of the other African countries)

Delegates Lunch
Location: IBC Hall

2:00 - 3:20 pm PLENARY 3: What’s Next in our U.S.-Africa Trade Relations: Complementing AGOA to
Elevate our Partnership.
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AGOA is the key instrument in the US- Africa trade partnership. The session will explore other areas of
cooperation that can be pursued to strengthen the partnership so as to use it as a platform to strengthen not only a
trade partnership but also promote mutually beneficial investment that promote structural transformation.

The session will explore among others:

• Areas of cooperation to strengthen trade and investment for mutual benefit
• Practical ways to ensure greater certainty for investors to ensure that their products will be competitive in
U.S. market
Location: Hall 10 in AGOA Village

Co-Chairs:
Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce
H.E Ambassador Albert Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Economic Development,
Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals

3:30 - 4:30 pm Closing Ceremony

Location: Hall 10 in AGOA Village

PRESS RETURNS. OPEN TO PRESS

Remarks by [Government of United States Representative], Monde Muyangwa, USAID

Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Africa, TBC

Remarks by [Government of South Africa Representative] Minister Ntshavheni (TBC)

Remarks by Commissioner Muchanga, AUC

5:00 – 7:00 pm Closing Reception hosted by the U.S. Delegation

Location: Apartheid Museum

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 AGOA Private Sector Forum

November 2, 2023

Johannesburg, South Africa

9:00-9:30 Welcome remarks

Florie Liser - President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)

Cas Coovadia – CEO, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)
Don Graves - Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
Hon. Ebrahim Patel - Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Republic of
South Africa

9:30 – 10:45 Not Just Another Renewal: AGOA’s Changing Role in Deepening U.S.-Africa Trade and
Investment. The advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA)
is creating a more harmonized and unified regional and continental market, making it
more feasible to set up cross-border value chains in Africa that can significantly expand
the potential for exports and greater U.S.-African trade and investment. The African
Union is looking to accelerate African manufacturing and industrialization through
programs that prioritize value chains in manufacturing, agribusiness, health and ICT, to
both support Africa’s long-term growth and take advantage of global shifts in
manufacturing after the pandemic. These welcome developments are taking place as the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)’s current authorization nears expiry in 2025,
suggesting this is a great opportunity to consider how best to align the provisions of AGOA
to support Africa’s development under AfCFTA as part of a strategy to deepen U.S.-Africa
trade and investment ties. This panel will feature corporate and government leaders
offering their perspectives on steps the United States and Africa can take to increase trade
and investment.

Moderator: Duane Newman, EY

Speakers: British Robinson – Coordinator, Prosper Africa

Gregory Poole – Special Adviser, the Children’s Place
Kenny Fihla – CEO, Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Bank
Cicelia van Rooi – President, AmCham South Africa
Tintswalo Shikwambane, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for SSA, Pfizer
David Mokomela – Vice President, Base Chemicals, SASOL
Thabo Khasipe - Executive Secretary Southern Africa Customs Union
10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-12:15 Creating Value Chains and Supporting Manufacturing through AGOA: Lessons from the
Textile/Apparel and Automotive Sectors. One of the primary goals of AfCFTA is to
support the creation of regional and sub-regional value chains as a way to increase
economic growth and create jobs, particularly through facilitating greater value addition
and the expansion of manufacturing capacity in Africa. Two of the most successful
manufacturing sectors have been automotives and the textile and apparel sector. As the
provisions of AfCFTA go into effect, these two sectors among others are likely to benefit
from programs like AGOA. This panel will feature experts from these two sectors as well
as government officials, offering their thoughts on lessons learned from the past 20 years
on how to support value chains in these sectors and other. The panel will also offer
practical recommendations on what can be done to support Africa’s goals of increasing
manufacturing capacity in partnership with American companies.

Moderator: Robert Appelbaum, Weber Wentzel

Speakers: Renai Moothilal – Executive Director, National Association of

Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM)
Jas Bedi – Chairman, Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency
Urban Geiwald - CEO, Winds Group
Shemboosingh Cheekhooree – Chief Operating Officer, Star Knitwear

12:15-1:45 Lunch

12:40 Florie Liser – President and CEO, CCA

12:42 David Jarvis – President, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

12:45 Osvaldo Gomez-Martinez - Deputy Assistant USTR for Africa

1:45-2:45 Creating Value Chains and Generating Jobs: Lessons from the Agricultural and
Agribusiness Sector. Africa’s agricultural sector has been beset by several challenges
over the last few years, including the growing impact of climate change and disruptions
in global food markets that have spiked inflation. These added to existing challenges of
productivity and Africa’s general reliance on the export of primary products. African
leaders have made improving food security and moving up the value chain away from
reliance on exports of primary products one of their top economic development
priorities. While AGOA has shown its potential to support African agricultural exports,
there are still significant opportunities to increase overall exports and move up the
value chain, including in crops like cashews, shea, and cocoa. This panel will feature
private sector and government experts who will offer lessons learned about effective
 strategies to use AGOA access to expand exports and move up the value chain. It will
also consider some of the key support programs that can enable these successes and
consider technologies and biotech enhancements/improvements and systems that
allow for ‘value preservation’ in primary production (e.g. cold chains, advanced breeding
techniques & other biotech, advanced pest management tools, precision farming,
efficient farm management systems and packaging technology).

Moderator: Daniel Njiwa, Inclusive Markets and Trade Director, AGRA

Speakers: Anton Kruger – Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum

Rico Bassom – CEO, South Africa Wine
Wolfe Braude – Manager, Agbiz Fruit, Agbiz
Janine Bosch-Wessels- Union Farms of Africa

2:45-3:00 Break

3:00-4:00 Leveraging the Potential of Information Communication Technology to Expand Trade

and Investment. The global pandemic served as a good reminder of the importance of
strong information communication networks to keep essential services moving, and
illustrated the potential for this critical sector to foster economic growth and create jobs
in multiple sectors. Member states are working on a protocol in digital trade under the
African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) which is designed to foster
greater growth, including African exports under AGOA. Realizing Africa’s potential,
however, will require significant new investments in connectivity, as well as putting the
right regulatory regime in place and ensuring access to sufficient finance. This panel will
hear from corporate and government leaders about the most important developments
on commercial projects as well as initiatives (including Digital With Africa) designed to
support the significant new investment needed for digitalization of the African economy
and U.S.-Africa trade.

Moderator: Mosa Mkhize, Senior Policy Advisor, Covington

Speakers: Vibhuti Jain – Regional Managing Director, DFC

Charles Murito, Director of Government Affairs for SSA, Google
Megan Clunnie – Vice President, Technology, EMEA, Mastercard
Nompilo Morafe – Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs
Officer, MTN

4:00-5:00 Recommendations for Improving AGOA Utilization and Better Connecting U.S. and
African Companies. While AGOA has had some notable successes, including citrus,
apparel/textiles, and automobiles, there is a clear sense that AGOA has not reached its
full potential. Lack of awareness about the program, challenges in getting trade finance
 (especially for smaller enterprises), and difficulties in making the right connections to
potential U.S. buyers or partners are often cited as factors. This panel will feature experts
from African governments, trade finance institutions, associations and companies that
have found ways to ‘crack the code’ to enter the U.S. market. The panel will share lessons
learned on what works, consider the role of administrative barriers and delays, and
suggest steps that could be taken to further expand AGOA access and utilization.

Moderator: Vanessa Adams

Speakers:
Witney Schniedman – CEO, Schniedman Associates
Nico Van Niekerk – Chairman, Chemicals and Allied Industries
Association (CAIA)
Suhanra Conradie – CEO, Summer Citrus from South Africa
Eckart Naumann – Senior Associate, tralac
Kganki Matabane – CEO, Black Business Council
Karen Bosman – Head of Strategy and Advocacy, Wesgrow
Paul Ryberg – President, African Coalition of Trade

5:00 – 5:25 Closing Session - fireside chat:

Key leaders from the United States and Africa could reflect on what they heard during
the day, and offer their thoughts on the most important takeaways/ways forward.

Moderator: Florie Liser – President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa

Participants: H.E. Albert Muchanga - AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism,

Trade, Industry and Mining (TBC)
H.E. Ebrahim Patel - Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Republic of
South Africa
Don Graves - Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
Reta Jo Lewis – Chair, Eximbank

5:25-5:30 Closing Remarks

Busisiwe Mavuso – CEO, Business Leadership South Africa

Florie Liser - President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa
 BE PART OF A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR COMPANY’S
the dtic
Department:
Trade, Industry and Competition
PRODUCTS AT THE AGOA FORUM ‘MADE IN AFRICA’ EXHIBITION AT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

THE JOHANNESBURG EXPO CENTRE, 2 – 4 NOVEMBER 2023

Applications are open for South African exporters and manufacturers interested in For enquiries pertaining to applications, sector and/or event, please contact:
showcasing their products and services at the multi-sector AGOA Made in Africa Samuel Maboane OR Lynn Chamier
exhibition at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (formerly known as Nasrec) from 2 to 4 Tel: 012 394 1357 Telephone: 082 558 5427
November 2023. E-mail: SMaboane@thedtic.gov.za E-mail: Lynn@expocentre.co.za

Targeted sectors include agriculture and agro-processing; automotive; boat
building; capital equipment; mining and machinery; chemicals’ clothing and
textiles; pharmaceuticals and medical devices; retail; renewable energy (green
hydrogen); aerospace and defence; arts and crafts; jewellery; ICT; metals, steel
and aluminium; financial and infrastructure services; high-tech innovations;
furniture, wood and pulp; and tourism.
the dtic will offer the following support to qualifying companies:
• Exhibition space and booth rental costs
• Scheduled B2B meetings
• Opportunities for product launches, demonstrations and tastings
• Freight-forwarding of display material
• Air travel assistance – for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and
black-owned enterprises (BOEs) located outside Gauteng only
• Daily subsistence allowance – for SMMEs and BOEs located outside Gauteng only
Made in Africa will showcase a full range of products and services, and seminars will
run parallel to the exhibition. Seminar content will be based on various topics in the
focus sectors.
The deadline for submission of complete National Pavilion application forms is
Tuesday 10 October 2023. No late applications will be accepted.
Only online applications will be accepted. Hand-delivered/couriered applications will
not be accepted.
National Pavilion application forms and guidelines can be downloaded from the
AGOA Forum System or http://www.thedtic.gov.za/sectors-and-services-2/1-4-2-
trade-and-export/export-marketing-and-investment-assistance-emia/group-offerings/
PLEASE NOTE:
• the dtic will only be responsible for the company’s benefits as per the EMIA
guidelines.
• In compliance with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)
Amendment Act, applicants must submit a valid B-BBEE certificate maximum
Level 8 or sworn affidavit (an affidavit is for entities with turnover of less than
R10 million).

Interested companies are required to complete, scan and attach the Export Marketing
and Investment Assistance (EMIA) application form and requisite supporting documents
to AGOA Forum Application System.