A high level African Union Trade Ministerial delegation is visiting Washington, DC to consult with the U.S. Administration, Congress, and key stakeholders on the re-authorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Please join us as the Woodrow Wilson Center, in partnership with African Union Mission, hosts the Honorable Ministers on Thursday, January 22nd from 4:30-5:30pm in the Wilson Center 6th Floor Auditorium for a panel discussion on the timely re-authorization of AGOA, and its strategic importance in the economic transformation and regional integration of the continent. A reception will follow the event in the Dining Room.

Speakers include:

Honorable Sekh’ulumi Ntsoaole, Minister of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing, Lesotho

Honorable Gabriel Tchango, Minister of Trade, Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Handicrafts and the Development of Services, Gabon

Honorable Etienne Ghislain Sinatambou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mauritius

Ms. Florizelle Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Office of the United States Trade Representative

Mr. Stephen Lande, President, Manchester Trade Limited, Inc.

AGOA is the cornerstone policy instrument for U.S-Sub-Sahara trade and economic relations. Its timely re-authorization before it expires in September 2015, would convey a strong signal of confidence to African partners and to the U.S. business community as well as ensure that trade with the U.S. takes place in predictable, reliable and legally secure basis. The  first-ever U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit and the AGOA Forum, held in August 2014 underscored particularly the commitment of the U.S Administration for a seamless renewal of AGOA as well as  the importance of increasing its utilization by African countries.