Africell hosts event during U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Event connects Africell’s operating markets with U.S.-based leaders, diplomats and investors

Africell CEO and Chairman Ziad Dalloul addressing guests at Africell's event in Washington, DC on 13 December 2022.

Africell has held an event on the side-lines of the U.S-Africa Leaders Summit, shining a spotlight on its four operating markets and connecting African leaders with investors, diplomats and policy-makers based in the United States. 

The three-day U.S-Africa Leaders Summit was organised 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.”

Emphasising 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.”

The US government, through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is the company's biggest external investor. Africell launched operations in Angola in April 2022 and also operates in Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

Africell’s event brought together senior delegates from the U.S. and its operating markets. Representatives of NGOs, multinational institutions, arts organisations and the media were also present. The event 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). The President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, addressed the event, commending Africell’s contributions to telecommunications in Sierra Leone and commenting on the positive impact of its cultural and community-focused work.

Africell Group CEO and Chairman Ziad Dalloul told guests that Africa and the U.S. have a huge amount to gain from a strong and open relationship. 

“More trade and investment between Africa and the United States is good for both parties”, Mr Dalloul said, “creating opportunities for growth across the spectrum – including in Africell’s own sector, telecommunications. Africell is proud to be the only U.S.-owned mobile operator in Africa and our mission is to be seen as a positive example of international investment in Africa which inspires other businesses to follow”.

President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone addressing guests at Africell's event in Washington, DC on 13 December 2022.