Mauritius gears up for landmark 18th US-Africa Business Summit in December

Mauritius is intensifying preparations to host the 18th US-Africa Business Summit for the first time, from 6 to 9 December 2026, with Government and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) working collaboratively to secure high-level participation and unlock new investment opportunities.

Preparations, including arrangements for the venue, programme, thematic sessions and participation of Ministers from the United States (US) and Africa, were outlined yesterday at a press conference in Ebène by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful; the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea; and CCA President and CEO, Ms Florizelle Liser.

The summit is expected to attract between 2,000 and 2,500 participants, with attendance potentially reaching 3,000. It will bring together African Heads of State, senior US government officials, Ministers, business leaders and investors to promote economic ties and forge partnerships.

The four-day event will be held at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC) in Pailles, where site visits have been conducted as part of ongoing preparations. A Committee co-chaired by Ministers Ramful and Ameer Meea, with the involvement of the Prime Minister’s Office, is coordinating the arrangements. The programme will feature ministerial and private-sector round-table discussions on financial services, technology and information and communication technology, renewable energy, the blue economy, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism.

Addressing the press, Minister Ramful said preparations were at an advanced stage, with significant progress made. A technical team from the CCA is currently in Mauritius to review key aspects of the summit, including the programme, speakers, logistics, security and participation.

The Ebola situation is being closely monitored in consultation with the World Health Organization, the Minister added. Initially scheduled for July 2026, the summit was postponed amid concerns over the outbreak.

Minister Ramful said the Government’s priority was to attract American and African businesses and facilitate business-to-business meetings, joint ventures and investment partnerships. The summit is expected to enable companies to identify potential partners, explore new markets and develop commercially viable projects.

Minister Ameer Meea cited Mauritius’ financial-services expertise, established legal framework, treaty network, dispute-resolution facilities and bilingual workforce as key advantages for international investors seeking access to African markets. He also pointed to the continent’s population of approximately 1.4 billion as offering significant opportunities for trade, investment and business expansion.

CCA President and CEO Ms Florizelle Liser said the summit would showcase Mauritius as a gateway to Africa and India, while connecting businesses with potential partners and facilitating the development of new ventures. She recalled that the previous edition, held in Angola, had generated deals worth more than US$4 billion.

Ms Liser also referred to the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants eligible African countries preferential access to the US market for qualifying products.

Major international companies expected to be represented include energy firms Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP and Shell; healthcare companies Pfizer, Merck, Abbott and Johnson & Johnson; and technology companies Amazon and Google, she added.

Ms Liser further indicated that several African leaders, including the President of Botswana and the Prime Ministers of Mozambique and Côte d’Ivoire, are expected to attend, alongside Ministers and other senior representatives from across the continent.

09 October 2026

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Topics: Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, International Trade, Cooperatives, SME, Industry