During the just concluded US-Africa Leaders Summit held in Washington DC from the 13th December to the 15th December, 2022, one of the side-lines events that the Sierra Leonean delegation, headed by President Julius Maada Bio, participated in was the one held by the telecommunications company, Africell.
The event brought together senior delegates from the U.S. and its operating markets as well as representatives of NGOs, multinational institutions, arts organizations and the media.
It had a creative angle, showcasing contemporary artwork from sub-Saharan Africa and presenting a virtual reality experience of the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo (developed in partnership with the Africell Impact Foundation).
Also, the event shone a spotlight on four of Africell’s operating markets, connecting African leaders with investors, diplomats and policy-makers based in the United States.
Worthy of note is that the US Government, through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is Africell’s biggest external investor.
The company launched operations in Angola in April 2022 and also operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
Addressing the guests, Africell Group CEO and Chairman Ziad Dalloul extended thanks and gratitude to all the distinguished guests for joining them on that evening.
He intimated how the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit is an important opportunity to reaffirm the relationship between Africa and the United States.
The CEO pointed out how Africa and the U.S. have a huge amount to gain from a strong and open relationship maintaining that more trade and investment between Africa and the U.S. is good for both parties as such will create opportunities for growth and development across the economic and cultural spectrum – including in Africell’s own sector, digital telecommunications.
He said Africell is proud to be the only U.S.-owned mobile operator in Africa and currently working in four countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
“Our mission is to be seen as a positive and successful example of international investment in Africa, inspiring other American and international businesses to follow,” he stated adding how Africell is committed to increasing interaction and exchange between Africa and the United States.
He maintained that the event is an opportunity to stimulate conversation and put their incredible operating markets in the spotlight.
The CEO said he encouraging all to try out some of their exhibits, including an amazing virtual reality experience of Congo’s national museum and a digital gallery of contemporary African art.
On his part, President Julius Maada commended Africell’s contributions to telecommunications in Sierra Leone and commented on the positive impact of its cultural and community-focused work.
It must be underscored that Africell provides mobile network coverage and related technology services to more than 16 million subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa.
The company operates in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
As the only US-owned mobile network operator in Africa, Africell directly and indirectly employs more than 10,000 people.
Through the Africell Impact Foundation, Africell supports initiatives in the areas of education and entrepreneurship; arts, culture, and heritage; health, sports and wellbeing; and environment action and emergency relief.
The company’s ambition is to narrow Africa’s opportunity gap by linking people to the digital and physical resources they need to engage fully in community life.
The three-day U.S-Africa Leaders Summit was organized by the U.S. Department of State and held in Washington, DC. Motivated by Africa’s growing stature as a global geopolitical player, the event saw Government, business and civil society leaders from 49 African countries and the U.S. gather with the aim of strengthening cooperation and collaboration.
The first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit took place in 2014, under the administration of President Barack Obama. The 2022 event was the second Summit.
“This forum is about building connections,” said U.S. President Joe Biden, in official remarks to delegates. “Above all, it’s about our shared future. We’ve known for a long time that Africa’s success and prosperity is essential to ensuring a better future for all of us, not just for Africa.’
Emphasizing the importance of commercial relations between the United States and Africa, President Biden continued: “Africa’s economic transition depends on good Government, healthy populations, and reliable and affordable energy. These things business seeks out when they’re looking to invest. They attract new opportunities, and they launch new partnerships. The United States is committed to supporting every aspect of Africa’s inclusive growth and creating the best possible environment for sustained commercial engagement between Africa companies and American companies.’
