The Foreign Service Journal, June 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2023 39 For the summit to be successful, we must collectively ensure that team USA shows up, led by a starting lineup of businesses. tize the creation of businesses at home while opening newmarkets and leveling the playing field for American companies abroad. Globally, we rely on our American Chambers of Commerce (AmCham) network to help achieve these objectives, withmore than 127 AmChams worldwide, more than 15 in Africa. The U.S. government also relies on this network to push for market access. But AmChams can’t do it alone. One of the recommenda- tions the U.S. Chamber made in 2021 to President Biden was to increase the number of Foreign Commercial Service officers. By increasing the number of commercially trained officials in the field, we can further help U.S. small and medium-sized enter- prises (SMEs) de-risk and demystify African markets. We must acknowledge the urgency and importance of helping American SMEs enter the African market—among the key themes that emerged from the U.S.-Africa Business Forum in December, and one for which the chamber has long been an advocate. In August 2022, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched “Advance with Africa, ” a nationwide roadshow and campaign increasing U.S. businesses’ understanding of commercial oppor- tunities in Africa, transforming the narrative around Africa’s busi- ness climate, and dispelling myths—creating new opportunities for American companies, big and small. Crucially, “Advance with Africa” focuses on empowering minority- and Black-owned small businesses, fueling a transformation that ensures equitable growth for Americans and Africans alike. Within four months of the campaign’s launch, we reached more than 1,000 diverse companies. Each of them is eager to understand African markets but unaware of the resources the U.S. government provides to help them. Building off the success of Prosper Africa, a 2019 USAID initiative that brings the services and resources of 17 U.S. govern- ment agencies to help African and American businesses and investors identify partners and close deals, we saw a unique opportunity to partner with state and local chambers of com- merce across America to answer the call of so many African governments: Bring us more of your small businesses.  A Team Sport As much as the private sector leans on the U.S. government to help manage risk, establish regulatory standards, and open mar- kets through trade, the U.S. government relies on the private sec- tor to make all of the policy work meaningful and lasting. Without a pro-business agenda in partnership with the U.S. government, we will continue to lose commercial ground to China, Russia, and the European Union. Currently, Africans have an affinity for U.S. goods and services, but that won’t be the case forever. We will also need to catch up when it comes to our national security. For example, Russia has been a historic partner for many African nations as they emerged from colonial rule. In recent times, Russia’s military influence and increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) spending have flourished across the continent. We saw this on full display during recent votes at the United Nations on the war in Ukraine. Many African nations sided with Russia or, at best, abstained from voting. This should have been a resounding wake-up call for the United States that there are other teams vigorously courting Africa. The African continent is now a major player, and our trite old act of aid dollars is no longer unique. China has proven that FDI is a sought-after commodity. For us to overtake China’s quick start on the continent, we must do the following:  • Pledge to host the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and Business Forum every three years.  • Seek new trade agreements with African partners and ensure they complement the African Continental Free Trade Area. • Urge U.S. Cabinet members to visit Africa at least every other year and include a business delegation whenever possible. • Double the presence of the Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service officers in Africa. A Turning Point The 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit was a turning point; make no mistake about that. However, for the summit to be suc- cessful, we must collectively ensure that team USA shows up, led by a starting lineup of businesses. The U.S. Chamber is a natural ally in this game. We have the national network of chambers of commerce, the international network of AmChams, and the trust of African governments, as well as our own. For more than 100 years, diplomats have relied on the voice of business to help them be successful in the field, delivering on the American dream at home and abroad. We must ensure that the next 100 years of diplomats do the same. n