The 18th US-Africa Business Summit is expected to bring thousands of political leaders, investors and business executives to Mauritius from 6 to 9 December, offering the island an opportunity to showcase its economic potential and strengthen commercial ties with the United States and the African continent. The event is expected to attract approximately 3,000 participants, including heads of state, government ministers, senior officials, investors and business leaders from the United States, Africa and other parts of the world.
For Mauritius, the summit represents more than an opportunity to host a high-profile international conference. It is a chance to reinforce its position as a strategic gateway for trade, investment and business partnerships across Africa and beyond.The first day of the summit will be held at Mont Choisy Le Golf, followed by three days of discussions and business engagements at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC). With preparations underway, the government and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), which is co-organising the event, are working to ensure that the gathering translates into meaningful commercial opportunities.
Florizelle Liser, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Council on Africa, said the event would help highlight the island’s strategic role in international business. “The story that many don’t know, the narrative that many don’t know, is that Mauritius is already a gateway for trade and investment into Africa, as well as to India,” she said. Florizelle Liser explained that the summit aims to bring together public- and private-sector leaders to strengthen economic cooperation between the United States and African countries. She added that its value would extend well beyond the four days of meetings and discussions. “It’s really about serving as a platform for what can happen beyond those three or four days,” she said.
Creating Opportunities for trade and investment
The summit is expected to cover a range of sectors, including financial services, information and communications technology, renewable energy, the blue economy, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are also expected to feature in discussions about future investment opportunities.Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are also expected to feature in discussions about future investment opportunities. For Mauritian businesses, the event could provide access to international investors, new markets and potential joint ventures. American companies, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to explore investment opportunities in Mauritius and consider the island as a base for wider operations across Africa. Florizelle highlighted the importance of networking and bringing businesses together, noting that successful partnerships often begin with conversations between people working in related industries. “The main reason to come is because you can potentially meet a new partner, develop a new venture, and be able to come back next year and tell us all about that,” she said.
She also referred to the previous summit in Angola, where deals that were negotiated, finalised or launched reportedly totalled more than US$4 billion. The experience demonstrates the potential of the summit to facilitate commercial relationships, although its longer-term success will depend on the partnerships and investments that follow.
Mauritius aims to attract international investors
Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Honorable Mr.Aadil Ameer Meea described the summit as a major milestone for Mauritius, highlighting the significance of hosting the event for the first time. The government hopes to use the gathering to encourage American companies to invest directly in Mauritius while strengthening the country’s role as a platform for investment across the African continent. Aadil Ameer Meea pointed to the island’s established financial services sector, economic stability, legal framework, international arbitration facilities and bilingual workforce as advantages for international investors. Mauritius’s regional connections, including its membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), also offer opportunities for businesses seeking access to African markets.
The minister said the government was keen to develop partnerships between Mauritian and American companies, including joint ventures that could benefit both economies. The ambition, he explained, is to position Mauritius as more than a tourism destination by highlighting its potential as a centre for international business, finance and investment.
Preparations intensify ahead of December
With the summit approaching, the government and the Corporate Council on Africa are working to finalise arrangements for the event. Aadil Ameer Meea said renovation work was underway at the SVICC, with site visits being conducted to assess progress. Organisers are also addressing logistical requirements, including security, connectivity and protocol arrangements, to ensure the smooth running of the gathering. A Local Host Committee, involving Mauritian officials and representatives working alongside the US side, is coordinating preparations across the relevant institutions. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Dhananjay Ramphul said progress had been made following a technical visit by the CCA team. Discussions have focused on the summit programme, speakers, thematic sessions and the level of participation expected from local and international businesses. Dhananjay Ramphul emphasised that attracting participants was only one part of the objective. The event must also create meaningful opportunities for local businesses and encourage stronger private-sector involvement. “At the end of the day, we will definitely convey the message that Mauritius is not only a tourism destination, but also a place where you can also do business and trade,” he said.
Political leaders and major companies expected
The summit is expected to attract senior political representatives and business executives from across Africa and the United States. Florizelle Liser confirmed that, alongside Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, confirmations had been received from the President of Botswana and the prime ministers of Mozambique and Côte d’Ivoire. Major international companies from sectors such as energy, healthcare, information technology and consumer goods are also expected to be represented. She cited companies including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Amazon and Google. Representatives from key US government agencies are also expected, including the State Department, Department of Commerce, US International Development Finance Corporation, US Export-Import Bank and US Trade and Development Agency. Their participation could help businesses explore financing arrangements, export support and investment opportunities, particularly in sectors requiring significant capital and international cooperation.
AGOA extension provides a positive backdrop
The summit will take place against the backdrop of the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade preference programme that has benefited Mauritian exporters. Florizelle Liser welcomed the programme’s extension for a further two years, although she noted that a longer extension would have been preferable. She highlighted its contribution to local industries, particularly apparel manufacturing, tuna processing and agro-processing, which have benefited from opportunities to access the American market. “AGOA has certainly benefited Mauritius over the years,” she said, recalling visits to local factories and processing facilities.
Strengthening economic diplomacy
Beyond its business objectives, the summit is expected to support Mauritius’s broader economic diplomacy with the United States. Dhanajay Ramphul referred to ongoing bilateral engagements and cooperation initiatives as evidence of progress in relations between the two countries. He described the summit as another platform through which Mauritius could strengthen these ties and encourage greater economic cooperation. Aadil Ameer Meea also referred to discussions with US trade authorities, including engagement on a potential reciprocal tariff arrangement, as well as a recently launched initiative known as the Transatlantic Covenant.
As Mauritius prepares to welcome international business leaders, the focus will increasingly turn to the economic benefits the summit can deliver beyond the event itself. The gathering offers an opportunity to showcase the island’s financial services expertise, business environment and regional connections to investors considering opportunities in Mauritius and across Africa.
