The Brown Capital Management Africa Forum
Launched in September 2015, the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum provides a premier platform for substantive and solutions-oriented dialogue on key trade, investment, and sustainable development issues in Africa and in US-Africa relations. The Brown Capital Management Africa Forum is generously funded by Brown Capital Management, LLC (Baltimore, MD).
Wilson Center Africa Program
Boosting US-Africa Trade and Investment, and Fostering Sustainable Development in Africa
Now in its ninth year, this initiative has positioned itself at the forefront of policy dialogue on key economic and development issues pertaining to Africa. The Africa Forum provides a high-level platform for convening African, US, and international business leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts in forward-leaning, policy-oriented dialogue aimed at advancing sustainable development in Africa and fostering mutually beneficial economic relations between Africa and the United States.
Focus on Economic and Development Challenges and Opportunities in Africa
Over the past nine years, the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum has focused on a wide range of economic and development issues, using its platform to bring attention to critical topics facing Africa, US-Africa relations, and Africa’s international engagement.
Unparalleled Convening Power
The Brown Capital Management Africa Forum has achieved its premier status by deploying its convening power to bring over 1,500 people together since its inception, including business leaders, policymakers, and subject matter experts from Africa, the United States, and other regions of the world. The Forum has served as a source of expert analysis and inclusive dialogue, being a first port-of-call for policy issues related to trade, investment, and development in Africa, as well as US economic engagement with Africa.
Thought Leadership
The Africa Forum's thought leadership on issues at the heart of Africa's economic development is supported through its collection of research, analysis, and publications. These publications communicate actionable ideas and policy options for addressing and engaging with economic challenges and opportunities in Africa.
Africa is poised for unprecedented growth and development…Through this Forum and series of events, we strive to expand the discussion of critical African issues, bringing both challenges and opportunities to the forefront of policy discussions.”
Mr. Eddie C. Brown, CFA, CIC
Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Brown Capital Management, and Member, Wilson Center National Cabinet
Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Publications
Strengthening the Role of African Sovereign Wealth Funds in the International Financial System: Interplay between Policy, Governance, and Sustainability - Key Outcomes
"Key Outcomes from the High-Level Meeting on the Role of African Sovereign Wealth Funds in the International Financial System: Interplay between Policy, Governance, and Sustainability"—released for the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum high-level meeting on “Strengthening the Role of African Sovereign Wealth Funds in the International Financial System: Interplay between Policy, Governance, and Sustainability”—highlights the key findings and recommendations from the two-day high-level meeting.
Key Outcomes from the High-Level Meeting on Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa: Policies and Best Practices for Securing the Future
"Key Outcomes from the High-Level Meeting on Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa: Policies and Best Practices for Securing the Future"—released for the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum high-level meeting on, “Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa: Policies and Best Practices for Securing the Future,”—highlights the key findings and recommendations from the two-day high-level meeting.
Boosting Africa’s Trade and Development by Tackling Some Supply Chain Challenges
In the paper “Boosting Trade and Development by Tackling Africa’s Supply Chain Challenges,” Mr. Tielman Nieuwoudt assesses Africa’s supply chains challenges, provides an overview of the state of intra-regional trade and trade between Africa and the rest of the world, and examines measures that could be undertaken to boost trade.
Policy Recommendations and Options: Boosting Trade and Development by Tackling Africa’s Supply Chain Challenges
This brief draws on the discussion to highlight key recommendations for addressing supply chain challenges. The discussion unpacked Africa’s supply chain development and integration at both the regional and global levels.
Harnessing Sovereign Wealth Funds for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa
This brief draws on that discussion to highlight key recommendations for countries that have or are considering sovereign wealth funds, for the managers of those funds, and for international actors.
Whither Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa?
In this policy brief, Dr. Raymond Gilpin examines potential benefits of well-managed sovereign wealth funds, and highlights several lessons learned from the experience of sovereign wealth funds in Botswana, Nigeria, and Chad.
The Rise, Politics, and Governance of African Sovereign Wealth Funds
In this paper, Dr. Adam D. Dixon assesses the landscape of sovereign wealth funds in Africa, provides a typology of the different roles and policy objectives of sovereign wealth funds, and examines key issues in governance and management.
Advancing Mutually Beneficial US-Africa Economic Relations
The inaugural Forum consisted of a series of events assessing the progress made towards achieving the $33 billion in commitments that were established at the 2014 Summit, including $14 billion in trade and investments from U.S. companies and government.
The US-Africa Leaders Summit One Year On: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward for Economic Relations
This paper by Dr. Witney Schneidman assesses progress and challenges since last year’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and offers recommendations for the way forward for U.S.-Africa economic engagement.
Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Events
Securing Africa’s Critical Mineral Wealth: A Role for Sovereign Wealth Funds
On September 17, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted an event on harnessing Africa’s critical mineral wealth to build infrastructure and new economies on the continent. The event specifically explored how African sovereign wealth funds can serve as a tool to reduce risk, increase investment, and enhance regional cooperation to ensure Africa’s critical mineral wealth is leveraged to develop sustainable value chains and promote socioeconomic growth.
Road to AGOA Reauthorization: The Future of US-Africa Trade and Investment
On June 18th, 2024, the Wilson Center Africa Program welcomed Senator Chris Coons and a panel of distinguished US and Africa leaders to the Wilson Center to discuss the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as well as US-Africa trade and investment.
Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Relaunch: Sovereign Wealth Funds and Infrastructure Development in Africa
On May 28, 2024, the Wilson Center hosted the relaunch of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum with an event on Sovereign Wealth Funds and Infrastructure Development in Africa.
Transforming US-Africa Economic Engagement into a 21st Century Partnership
On December 7, 2022, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum event, “Transforming US-Africa Economic Engagement into a 21st Century Partnership.” The event convened US and African public and private sector leaders and experts on the eve of the Biden Administration’s US-Africa Leaders Summit to discuss important issues in US-Africa economic relations and why they matter to the United States and African countries.
Strengthening the Role of African Sovereign Wealth Funds in the International Financial System: Interplay between Policy, Governance, and Sustainability
On Thursday and Friday, August 11-12, 2022, the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum at the Wilson Center hosted the third High-level Meeting for Africa Sovereign Wealth Funds, “Strengthening the Role of African Sovereign Wealth Funds in the International Financial System: Interplay between Policy, Governance, and Sustainability,” in Washington, D.C. This meeting was part of the Forum’s Sovereign Wealth Fund series sponsored by Brown Capital Management.
Biennial Lecture and Dialogue of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum: The African Continental Free Trade Area
On December 14, 2021, the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum hosted the Biennial Lecture and Dialogue of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum—The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Its Significance and Current State of Play, Challenges and Opportunities, including for U.S.-Africa Economic Relations with Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
US-Africa Economic Relations at the State Level
On November 6th, 2019, the Wilson Center Africa Program held the fifth annual Signature Event of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum, “U.S.-Africa Economic Relations at the State Level.”
This Ain’t Your Grand-Daddy’s Africa: Looking Beyond the Challenges to Lock in the Opportunities
This event unpacked and explored the nature and drivers of Africa’s ongoing transformation, identified some of the key challenges and opportunities related to this transformation, and highlighted strategic points for positive engagement for African leaders, the U.S., and other international partners.
Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa: Policies and Best Practices for Securing the Future (Gaborone, Botswana)
Heads of African sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), subject matter experts, and senior policymakers met in Gaborone, Botswana from 9 to10 May for a high-level meeting on “Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa: Policies and Best Practices for Securing the Future.” This meeting, a partnership between the Wilson Center and the Bank of Botswana, under the banner of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum sponsored by Brown Capital Management, LLC, marked the Africa Forum’s debut on the continent.
The Role of the Business Sector in Peacebuilding in Africa
The Wilson Center's Africa Program hosted a discussion on “The Role of the Business Sector in Peacebuilding in Africa."
From “America First” to “Brexit”: The Changing Global Trade Architecture and Implications for Africa
"America First" and "Brexit" has raised many questions about the future of trade, however, Africa's trajectory is in the direction of free trade and economic integration. This event explored the implications of “America First” and “Brexit” on global trade architectures and what this means for Africa, analyzing Africa's own trade architecture and its engagements within the larger global trade architecture.
Beyond the Big Three: Africa’s Economic Relations with Brazil, India, the Gulf States, Turkey, and Japan
Boosting Trade and Development by Tackling Africa’s Supply Chain Challenges
Maximizing Women’s Economic Leadership, Participation, and Impact in Africa
Join the Wilson Center Africa Program for a discussion on “Maximizing Women’s Economic Leadership, Participation, and Impact in Africa” on September 19, 2017 from 2:00 to 3:30pm in the 6th Floor Auditorium.
Transforming the Education Sector to Meet Africa’s 21st Century Needs
On June 15, 2017, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted a panel discussion on “Transforming the Education Sector to Meet Africa’s 21st Century Needs,” as part of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum. The event featured three speakers, H.E. Professor Hassana Alidou, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Niger to the United States of America; Dr. Phillip Clay, Professor Emeritus and former Chancellor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Mr. Paul Mugambi, Chief Executive Officer, Kytabu. Together, the panelists examined African educational reform successes and challenges, discussed policy options for governments and international actors, and assessed how educational reforms could drive the continent’s development and competition in the global economy.
Comparing US and Chinese Business Models in Africa
On November 15, 2016, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted a panel discussion on “Comparing U.S. and Chinese Business Models in Africa,” as part of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum. The four speakers examined the changing trends in Chinese business relationships with Africa, compared the business models of U.S. and Chinese companies on the continent, and made recommendations for improving the United States’ economic relationship with Africa.
Amplifying US-Africa Trade, Investment, and Economic Relations: From Obama to the Next Administration
On the eve of the 2016 U.S.-Africa Business Summit and as President Obama prepares to leave office, the Wilson Center and Brown Capital Management examined the Obama legacy on U.S.-Africa business and economic relations, and explored what U.S.-Africa business and economic relations might look under a Clinton or Trump administration.
Long-term Sustainable Development in Africa: The Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds
On June 14th, 2016, the Wilson Center Africa Program held the second Signature Event of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum. This year, the topic of discussion was sovereign wealth funds and their potential impact on long-term sustainable development in Africa.
Harnessing the Private Sector, Trade, and Investment in Africa to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Join the Wilson Center Africa Program for Harnessing Trade and Investment in Africa to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, part of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum, on February 25th, 2016 from 2–3:30pm in the 6th floor auditorium.
Doing Business in Africa: Addressing the Corruption Factor-A Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Event
The US-Africa Leaders Summit One Year On: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward for Economic Relations
On September 10, 2015 the Wilson Center launched the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum series. This 5-year series, generously funded by Brown Capital Management, will provide a platform for bringing together business leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts for forward-leaning, solutions-oriented dialogue aimed at furthering mutually beneficial trade and investment between Africa and the United States, as well as sustainable development in Africa.
"Brand Africa"- Separating Myth From Reality
On July 7, 2015, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted a discussion on what many see as a tarnished "Brand Africa." Ms. Florizelle Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa; Ambassador Donald Gips, Senior Counselor at Albright Stonebridge Group; Mr. Omoyele Sowore, Founder of Sahara Reporters; and Ms. Valentina Saltane, Private Sector Development Specialist at the World Bank Group, offered a frank discussion on misconceptions about Africa and solutions for realigning these perceptions with reality.
Related Program
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
