Corporate Council on Africa 2003 photos 2002 photos U.S. Africa Business Summit Africa Wildlife Agoa Aviation Background Comment Grants Houston Meet Opportunity Peace Tourism Sao Tome Supporters Tourism Africa Trade News Women's Alliance Africa Trade and Travel Directory Index (a-m) Index (n-z) Africa Travel Association ATA Awards ATA Benefits ATA Board ATA Chapters Publications Trade Directory Training ATA Events ATA Congress ATA Symposia Ad Rates Exhibits ATA Partners: ASTA ARTA CCA CTO IIPT SATH RETOSA TIES USTOA WTO Contacts Embassies Ministries Tour Offices				Attention Investors and Tourism Professionals We're Search Leaders for Africa Topics Our site ranks #1 or in the Top 3 in many searches Google Score for Marketing Africa Tourism to USA Google Score for Marketing Africa Tourism to Canada Google Score on Marketing Africa Tourism to Europe Google Score for Marketing Africa Tourism to Asia Africa at large: African, US executives promote investment on continent At least 500 African and American business executives are expected to meet in Houston, USA on 7th February to promote foreign direct investments into Sub-Saharan Africa. Organisers said the executives will be participating in the first US International Investment and Finance Forum for Projects, Trade, Development and Capital Equipment. The forum is being hosted by a US-based equipment company, EquipXp in conjunction with Nigeria Community and Friends/NCF Investment Inc., an organisation of Nigerian businessmen and women based in the US. NCF's president, Chief Temitope Ajayi, said that the forum will seek to support Africa's economic growth, reduce poverty levels and improve living conditions in the continent through training and strategic advisory services. "Our primary objective is to promote and encourage investments into Sub-Saharan countries and to ensure good economic management that will contribute to poverty reduction and bring about rapid growth and development to Africans," she said. See Website   Corporate Council on Africa Brings Together Key U.S. and African Energy Players in Houston Confirmed Countries Include Angola, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa WASHINGTON, D.C: Major African oil executives and decision makers, including the leader of the new African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA), a rising player in global oil issues, will be in Houston this week for the second annual Africa Oil & Gas Forum, hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). The conference, being held November 19-21, is designed to foster increased opportunities for U.S. energy executives to invest in an area of growing strategic importance to American energy needs.  "The attendance of Dave A. Lafiaji, Executive Secretary of the APPA, is of particular significance," said Stephen Hayes, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa.  "APPA aims to reinforce cooperation among regional producers and stabilize prices, and is key to breaking our dependence on Middle East oil reserves."    Approximately 180 oil executives from Africa and the United States are expected to attend.  In addition to representation from ten African countries, some of our nation's top experts on Africa and international security will be at the conference, including Dr. Stephen Morrison, Africa director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Hayes spoke to the significance of the conference, "We are very excited about this event.  We have assembled an extraordinary program, and it offers an opportunity that anyone interested in the African energy sector cannot afford to miss.  Nearly every oil-rich country in Africa will be in attendance, as will those who make financing of these projects possible.  The conference could save an attendee thousands of dollars in research and travel.  In fact, this forum offers the opportunity to meet key players that they might never be able to meet in Africa." The U.S. is seeking to diversify its energy suppliers, and Africa has become one of the hottest places in the world for oil and gas exploration.  Nearly 15% of U.S. oil imports come from Africa, and by 2015 the figure is expected to rise to 25%.  Africa has been identified as an energy powerhouse enjoying a strategic geographic location, relative stability and low labor and infrastructure costs.  Additionally, the discovery rate in Africa boasts nearly 50%, surpassing all other regions over the past five years. For a full listing of confirmed dignitaries, a detailed agenda and to register online, please visit CCA's website at www.africacncl.org.    The conference is sponsored by ChevronTexaco, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Vanco, Baker & Hostetler LLP, Kroll, J. Ray McDermott and ExxonMobil.  CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501 (c) (3) membership organization of over 180 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. CCA's website is at www.africacncl.org.