Publisher's Message

Ricky Katsuya Publisher's Message

WELCOME AND THANK YOU for taking the time to read our June DAWN edition. We are excited to feature stories that have truly transformed Africa and the world. Stories such as:  Somalia's impact on the money transfer industry through it's large diaspora population (page 10);  The need to redesign cities which, in essence, will have a great impact on the reduction of carbon emissions. It is a well-known fact that big cities emit the largest percentage of carbon emissions (page 28);  We are looking forward to featuring Africa’s approach to building smart cities and smart villages. Reduction of rural to urban migration will be a net positive. The west should invest in Africa’s development of smart cities and smart villages to bolster reduction of emissions (pages 29, 37, 48, 66, 108);  The need to fi nance Africa’s agriculture and manufacturing programs is now. We are appealing to all entrepreneurs in the diaspora to seize this moment to found or grow businesses in Africa - as the youth of Africa needs you. The consequences for Africa’s youth unemployment could spiral into societal instability, which inevitably could render some countries ungovernable (pages 32, 34, 46, 82, 84, 94, 100).

Overall, we are also elated that the US Senate has come up with a bipartisan framework as a good start to nationwide Gun Control for the country. Gun massacres in the USA should stop now! We emplore all US citizens to tell the Congress to act now.

Ricky Katsuya Publisher/President dawn@africabusinessassociation.org aba@africabisinessassociation.org www.africabusinessassociation.org

We’d like your feedback. Please email thoughts and suggestions to dawn@ africabusinessassociation.org

Awakening the African Giant Within

Export-Import Bank of the United States Opens Application Period for 2022-2023 Advisory Committees - Agency Seeks Nominees for Six Advisory Groups

WASHINGTON – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today opened the application period for the 2022-2023 Advisory Committee, Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee, and four subcommittees. In addition to the four existing committees and subcommittees, EXIM is seeking applications for two new subcommittees – the Council on Small Business and Council on Advancing Women in Business. These two new bodies will complement recent subcommittee additions that include the Council on Climate and the Council on China Competition. The application period begins today and will remain open through June 30.

“For EXIM to be truly open and inclusive, we need more partners and more ambassadors from all communities across America that share a vision for what this agency can become,” said President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis. “The members of our committees are standouts in their respective fi elds, and their insights and knowledge of economic security and opportunity are integral to improving America’s export competitiveness.”

EXIM’s Advisory Committee provides guidance to EXIM on the agency’s overall policies and programs, particularly on competitive fi nancing to support American jobs through exports. The committee’s 17 members represent small business, environment, production, commerce, fi nance, agriculture, labor, services, state government, and the textile industry.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee provides advice on strengthening and expanding EXIM fi nancing support for U.S. manufactured goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa. The nine committee members represent small business, banking, fi nance, trade promotion, and commerce. The two current subcommittees include the Council on China Competition and the Council on Climate. The Council on China Competition was formed following the creation of EXIM’s China and Transformational Exports Program in 2019 and provides guidance on how EXIM can advance America’s economic leadership and global competitiveness with respect to China. The Council on Climate was formed in 2021 as an initial foundation for the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to fi nancing the global clean energy transition through tools like export credit.

The two newly established Advisory subcommittees – the Council on Small Business and Council on Advancing Women in Business – will add important new voices to EXIM’s network of outside stakeholders. The Council on Advancing Women in Business will convene leaders from across private and public sector institutions to off er ideas for more women in business and better considering equity goals set in EXIM’s strategy. The Small Business Council will focus on off ering ways to help more American small business exporters fi nd new markets, achieve more sales, and lower the risk of selling internationally.

Candidates wishing to be considered for membership on any committees must complete an online questionnaire and submit a biography, headshot, and letter of interest demonstrating relevant knowledge, experience, and qualifi cations to advisory@exim.gov by midnight EDT on June 30, 2022.

For more information, please contact advisory@exim.gov.

ABOUT EXIM: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s offi cial export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM off ers fi nancing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.

About the Africa Business Association

The Africa Business Association is an independent international business development organization. We off er access to the latest resources, information, and best practices in advocacy and communications for the African Diaspora and the African entrepreneurs in Africa.

We work to help you have access to news and events as starting points for constructive conversations and calls to action. We seek to cut through the froth of the political spin cycle to underlying truths and values. We want to be so focused on progress that together we can provide a credible and constructive generation of Africans that take seriously our previous generations and act upon all their wishes, our hopes and aspirations to make lasting change for all future generations.

Africa Business Association "DAWN"

PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT

Ricky Katsuya

ADVISORY BOARD

Earl 'Skip' Cooper, II, CEO, Black Business Association H.E. Sheila Siwela, Ambassador H.E. Kone L. Tanou, Ambassador

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ricky Katsuya

LAYOUT/TYPESETTING

Lion Communications

AFRICA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEWS

6564 LOISDALE COURT, SUITE 600 Springfi eld, VA 22150 USA 1-240-467-6811 aba@africabisinessassociation.org dawn@africabusinessassociation.org www.africabusinessassociation.org

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