Highway Africa News Agency

More than twenty African countries have been invited to the United States to discuss with US investors, Africa's communications and technology needs. In a meeting dubbed "The Sub-Saharan Africa Information and Communications Technology Conference", discussions on a possible vibrant African ICT market will provide U.S. company participants with details on new export and investment opportunities in the areas of telecommunications network expansion, fiber networks, submarine communications systems, rural connectivity solutions as well as e-government solutions for health and education.

The conference that will take place between the 19th and 21st of March 2007 in San Francisco, California is being hosted by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is a US government agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries which include most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

According to USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey, ministers and other senior government officials from more than 15 African nations will discuss their ICT needs and present more than 25 projects ranging in value from $1 million to $200 million.

The conference agenda will also address key policy issues and highlight efforts to expand telecommunications infrastructure, improve delivery of government services, and support the growth of e-commerce. Participating countries are expected to include Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Thelma J. Askey said, "many African countries have made significant progress in developing their information and telecommunications markets, and increasing Internet access and mobile phone density."

Furthermore, "Significant opportunities now exist for U.S. vendors, service providers and investors to increase business in the region, while helping African nations meet growing public demand for information and communications services," she adds.

Expected to participate are representatives of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Sub-Saharan African companies interested in partnering with U.S. firms. Officials from international lending institutions, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, will also be on hand to discuss loan and insurance programs available for ICT exports and investment.

Trade and industry organizations supporting the conference include the Corporate Council on Africa, the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute and the California Chamber of Commerce. Companies, such as Motorola, Hewlett Packard, QUALCOMM, Alcatel-Lucent and Oracle Corporation, will present information in conference workshops highlighting relevant U.S. technology applications.

Each U.S. participant will receive a resource guide on the projects presented, including critical economic information, export potential, time lines, equipment needs and key contacts.

A series of pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings will also enable U.S. participants to meet privately with the African officials and other project representatives.