Commissioner Dennis Moss, Fred Oladeinde and AfrICANDO attendees pose for picture
Commissioner Dennis Moss, Fred Oladeinde and AfrICANDO attendees pose for picture
Mr. Oladeinde poses with Airline Executives at the US-Africa Air Transportation Summit
Mr. Oladeinde poses with Airline Executives at the US-Africa Air Transportation Summit
Mr Oladeinde and President Wade
Mr Oladeinde and President Wade
United States Nigeria Development Institute hosts a seminar on Doing Business in America
United States Nigeria Development Institute hosts a seminar on Doing Business in America
Silver Jubilee AfrICANDO 2024 Banner
9TH ANNUAL AGOA CSO SPRING CONF-3
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MISSION STATEMENT

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) is a development organization committed to promoting participatory democracy, economic growth and sustainable development throughout Africa.  Founded in 1994, FDA is a 501c 3 not for profit, non-governmental, non-partisan institution headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in Miami, Florida, USA.

FDA’s mission is to: (1) implement culturally sensitive programs designed to strengthen and enhance the fundamental principles of democracy, freedom and economic plurality throughout Africa, and (2) integrate emerging African democracies into the mainstream of the global economy, thus cultivating the pathway for peace and prosperity in Africa.

FDA carries out its mission by developing innovative and culturally sensitive strategies and programs that are designed to enhance human and institutional capacity, create opportunities that reduce poverty, foster democracy and good governance, and accelerate development in select sectors of Africa’s economy. FDA also supports development through education, and by providing hands on technical assistance to existing and future leaders in civil society, government, and the private sector. We provide expert technical assistance to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and governance, elections, elections administration, and political processes through education and training.

In 2001, FDA was awarded a grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID)  entitled the West Africa Economic Support Program (WAESP). This  program provided training on US-Africa trade issues, as well as, the efficacy of public-private partnerships as a means of enhancing a country’s ability to conduct trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  The project included activities at the national level in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Benin and in four states in Nigeria. The West Africa Economic Support Program was highly successful and USAID extended FDA’s grant for this program from three years to five years. WAESP was also one of the first projects funded by USAID to provide training and technical assistance under AGOA, and as a result of its delivery, the AGOA Civil Society Network was created.


AGOA ADVOCACY DAY & AGOA FORUM

On July 23, 2024, the AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO)Network and partners organized an impactful AGOA Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. The event was co-sponsored by The Honorable Jonathan Jackson and The Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. AGOA Advocacy Day was a part of the AGOA CSO Network’s 25 years of sustained efforts to strengthening U.S-Africa trade, investment, and Diaspora engagement and set the stage for critical discussions leading up to the 21st U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum).

Throughout the day, civil society leaders, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Trade Ministers, and other key stakeholders gathered to advocate for the timely renewal and enhancement of AGOA by the 118th Congress. Our collective efforts included several purposeful meetings, a compelling Panel Discussion on The Why, How, and When of AGOA Reauthorization and Enhancement, and a Reception at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.

Your voices and advocacy are critical to ensuring the renewal and enhancement of AGOA beyond 2025. Special thanks to our distinguished speakers and you for your support and commitment to U.S.-Africa trade and investment!

Donate and/or Become a member today.

Capitol Hill was alive with insightful and dynamic discussions during our 9th AGOA CSO Network Spring Conference. We were honored to host esteemed guests and panelists, including the Honorable Jonathan L. Jackson US Representative, 1st District of Illinois, Ambassador Chibamba Kanyama Kanyama, the Republic of Zambia, Joshua Snead and Alexandra Whittaker, House Committee on Ways and Means, Robert Telchin USTR, Sam duPont Office of Senator Coons, Florie Liser, CCA, Melvin Foote, CFA, Reverend Eugene Cho, Bread for the World, among many other distinguished guests.

The event delved into central topics such as the Timely Reauthorization & Renewal of AGOA and African Diaspora Investment & Engagement. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing economic opportunities and sustainable development in Africa.

Thank you to our speakers, attendees, and supporters who helped make the Spring Conference a resounding success. Together, we are committed to supporting the renewal and enhancement of AGOA and ensuring its continued advancement of US-Africa Trade.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to engage with the AGOA Civil Society Organization Network.

Read the Communiqué

Agenda: https://lnkd.in/ezkHpaAF

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AGOA NEWS!

The AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024  was introduced by Senators Chris Coons & James Risch on April 11, 2024. 

Read the Summary:

Read the Bill:

READ THE CIVIL SOCIETY PETITION FOR THE TIMELY RE-AUTHORIZATION/ENHANCEMENT OF AGOA

Addressed to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer

Thank You to all Participants, Speakers, Attendees and Exhibitors at our 24TH ANNUAL US-AFRICA TRADE & INVESTMENT CONFERENCE/EXPO – AFRICANDO 2023!

AfrICANDO 2023, our 24th Annual US-Africa Trade & Investment Conference and Expo as held on-site at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center (MACC), 711 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami, Florida, USA, and virtually.

THEME: The Diaspora: Accelerating U.S.-Africa Trade, Investment, and Technological Innovation

The following topics were discussed:

Trade and Investment  ●  Health  ● Infrastructure ● Technology ● Tourism

Attendees acquired knowledge to:

  • Learn how to make MONEY using the Benefits of the AGOA
  • Tap Into the over $20 Billion of Trade in Goods under AGOA
  • Identify New Markets to Sell your Products and Technologies
  • Increase Your Sales by Accessing One of the World’s Fastest Growing Markets -Africa
  • Establish Strategic Partnerships and Network with High-Level Contacts from the U.S., Africa

Download the Conference At A Glance

Fred Oladeinde, President, FDA
Abdoulaye Diagne, CEO/Director General, AIBD
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Fred Oladeinde, President, FDA
Abdoulaye Diagne, CEO/Director General, AIBD
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PRESENTATIONS

Abdourahmane Sy, Executive Director Project Monitoring and Evaluation Executive Director Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Fred Oladeinde, President, The Foundation for  Democracy in Africa (FDA) and Chair, AGOA Civil  Society Organization (CSO) Network Secretariat

Honorable Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Chairman, Miami-Dade County, Board of County Commissioners, and Commissioner District 1

Abdoulaye Dieye, CEO, Blaise Diagne InternationalAirport (AIBD)

Honorable Angela Ellard, Deputy Director-General,  World Trade Organization

Daniel Cardona, Vice President, Florida Export Finance Corporation (FEFC)

Dimitrios “Jimmy” Nares, Section Chief, Aviation Marketing, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Dave Peterson, Senior Director, Africa Program, National Endowment for Democracy

Thomas T. Osobu, Founder & Executive Chairman, Jott Industries Nigeria Limited

Miguel Olivares, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service

Dr. Gloria McCutcheon, Chair and Professor of Biology/Biotechnology, Claflin University

Nicholas Panasik, Associate Professor, Claflin University

Ambassador John Shinkaiye, President  Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) and Chairman, JKS & Associates Ltd.  – Diaspora Town Hall Meeting

Honorable Frederica S. Wilson, Congresswoman (D FL 24th District) 

Ambassador John Shinkaiye, President  Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) and Chairman, JKS & Associates Ltd.  – Medal of Glory Award (MOGA) Acceptance Statement

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State of the United States under President George W. Bush

Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., Founder and Past President Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Check out the AfrICANDO 2023 Booklet
(click the image below)

THE SPEAKERS

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE INFORMATION

Conference-At-A-Glance

For more information, check out our AfrICANDO page.

READ THE USITC AGOA REPORT

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

THE USITC AGOA REPORT

8TH ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE – THANK YOU!

THANK YOU TO SPEAKERS, MODERATORS, PANELISTS, PARTICIPANTS, & ATTENDEES FOR MAKING
THE 8TH ANNUAL AGOA CSO NETWORK SPRING CONFERENCE A SUCCESS!

The  8th Annual AGOA CSO Network Spring Conference took place on April 13, 2023 at The Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University, University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, 3rd Floor in Washington, DC from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm and online.

The theme for this year’s Spring Conference was Extending AGOA to 2035: Using Trade toStrengthen U.S.-Africa Strategic Alliances.  

The conference addressed the following topics:

  1. Extending AGOA to 2035
  2. AGOA Eligibility and Inclusive Economic Growth
  3. Expanding Number of  AGOA-Eligible Countries
  4. Expansion of U.S. Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation

DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA

Presentations

Fred Oladeinde, Chairman, the AGOA CSO Network and President, The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) – Opening Remarks

H.E. Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry African Union Commission (AUC)

Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO , The Witaker Group – Remarks

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, Ambassador, African Union (AU) Mission  to the USA – Remarks on Extending AGOA to 2035

Chanda Mongo, Chairman, AGOA CSO Extension Campaign -Session Report on Extending AGOA to 2035

PREVIOUS EVENTS

AGOA ROUNTABLE DISCUSSION SUMMARY REPORT

Petition for the Extension of AGOA

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law in 2000 and has been the foundation of U.S. economic policy and business-related engagement with the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since its enactment. AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products that are eligible for duty-free entry under the Generalized System of Preferences(GSP) program.

In 2002, 2004, and 2006, Congress passed, and the executive branch implemented legislative enhancements of AGOA. And in 2015, Congress passed the Trade Preferences Extension Act (TPEA), updating and extending the program to 2025.

COVID-19’s economic impact presents a threat to US-Africa trade and investment, U.S. – Africa strategic alliances, and gains made over the last two decades using the benefits of AGOA.

AGOA has been a long-term commitment with broad bipartisan support; however, it expires in 2025. As a result, we launched the advocacy campaign for the 10-year extension of AGOA during our Roundtable Discussion on the Future of AGOA on December 13, 2022, in Washington, DC, USA, and virtually on the margins of the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. The campaign advocating for a ten-year extension of AGOA benefits aligns with African Union’s Agenda 2063.

We appreciate your interest in AGOA! We invite you to join our petition to the 118th Congress of the United States and the Biden-Harris Administration for the extension of AGOA by signing our request to extend AGOA to 2035.


AfrICANDO 2022

Our 23rd Annual U.S. – Africa Trade and Investment Conference/Expo – AfrICANDO 2022, took place October 10-13, 2022, in Miami, FL 33126, USA, and virtually.

The topics discussed during AfrICANDO 2022 included U.S. -Africa Trade and Investment; Health Security: Health is Wealth; Climate and Food Security; Tourism; the Miami Gateway Initiative and Pharma Hub; and, Export and Development Finance. The event will include Seminars, Exhibits, B2B Matchmaking, and a Gala Awards Dinner.

Download the Agenda

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Presentations

Fred Oladeinde, President, The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) – Opening Remarks

Richard de Villiers, Chief of Staff, PortMiami   

Jimmy Nares, Section Chief, MIA Marketing Division

Ilona Vega Jaramillo,  VP International Economic Development, Miami-Dade Beacon Council

James Murley, Chief Resilience Officer, Miami -Dade County Office of Resilience

Chanda Mongo, Socio Economic Consultant/Farmer, and Advisory Board Member, AGOA CSO Network, Zambia

Daniel Cardona, Vice President, Florida Export Finance Corporation (FEFC)

Cynthia Jasso-Rotunno, Director of Public Engagement, U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA)

Dr. Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor to the President (Communication), African Development Bank Group, (AfDB)     

Fred Oladeinde, President, FDA  – Closing Remarks

FDA MEMBERSHIP

FDA Membership affords you access to a network of development professionals focused on Africa, discounts on participation in FDA conferences and other FDA programs as well as access to our current and past reports on issues around development in Africa. There are a number of levels of membership that allow you to participate in our programs and projects which are designed to strengthen and enhance democracy, freedom and economic plurality through the continent of Africa.
Join Today!
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DONATE

Your donation will make a difference and will greatly assist us in advancing and implementing our various initiatives, and ultimately, make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and marginalized people on the African continent, particularly, women and youth. In addition to donating directly, there are a number of ways to support FDA programming through donating American Express Points, making tax-deductible donations of goods and many more.
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CONTACT US

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (DC Office)

1200 G St NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-331-1333
comments@democracy-africa.org

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (Miami Office)

333 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 2000
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 416-9201
comments@democracy-africa.org