2025 was a record-breaking year for the US-Africa Business Summit, yielding billions in deals.
In 2024, trade between the US and Africa totaled an estimated $71.6bn, including an 11.9% increase in US exports to the continent.
It’s an increasingly fruitful relationship, offering an influx of capital into Africa, and major growth opportunities to US firms and investors.
Building on this shared prosperity was the subject of the US-Africa Business Summit held June 22-25, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.
Thousands of business and government leaders from both continents convened for discussions, networking, and a record $2.5bn in deals and commitments.
US-Africa Business Summit 2025
Growing together
The US-Africa Business Summit is organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the leading US business association “dedicated to unlocking the immense potential of African markets for American businesses.”
Established in 1993, the event is alternately hosted in the US and Africa. This year was the 17th edition.
The summit works in concert with US government efforts to promote US-Africa trade, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers substantial duty-free access to US markets, and US support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This year welcomed nearly 3,000 business and government leaders, including 12 heads of state. “It’s hard to explain the volume of opportunities this summit offered,” said Susan Lewis, Board Director of the Halo Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian landmine removal organization.
Kapaia’s own business is an apt example, having discussed a ten-year master plan with US engineering company KBR at the event.
Intercontinental collaboration
Kapaia was just 25 years old when he founded the Opaia Group in 2002. The young entrepreneur was determined to build out Africa’s infrastructure to improve the continent’s quality of life.
Today, Opaia Group operates across Africa and around the world, with a diverse portfolio spanning infrastructure, energy, industry, investment, and trade.
Arguably its most eye-catching project currently is the $2bn Amufert plant. Slated to open in 2027, it will produce 1.38mn metric tons of fertilizer annually.
Initially it is expected to serve Angola’s fast-growing agricultural sector, but surplus production promises to open the door to intra-African exports.
Kapaia says the plan is “creating jobs, helping our community, and helping the country.” Between construction and operation, the plant will employ 4,700 people.
Having previously contributed engineering, equipment, and technology to the project, KBR is now providing project management consultancy for construction.
And this is just the beginning. Aghostino says a ten-year master plan between the two companies was discussed at the summit, including plans to build another fertilizer plant. “This one [Amufert] will produce 1,400,000 tons, the next one will double the capability for production.”
These factories will be integral to Africa’s future food and economic security. They also highlight the size of the opportunities emerging on the continent.
The African opportunity
Carla Stone, President of World Trade Center Delaware commented, “Africa has six out of ten of the fastest growing economies, so it’s very logical that companies want to do business here,” also highlighting the opportunity in working with the continent’s comparatively young population.
And Africa’s economies are developing rapidly. “There are many businesses across the continent outside of the traditional sectors… that are thriving,” said Rishon Chimboza, Special Advisor on Africa, Tony Blair Institute.
The summit’s host, Angola, is a prime example. The country is engaged in a major drive to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons.
Kapaia said the summit itself is evidence of progress. “It is a good sign that Angola has the conditions to organize this kind of summit.”
Open for business
This event “shows that the Angolan government is open for business,” said Lewis. But that goes for the rest of Africa, too – and not just to foreign firms and investors.
Africa has so much potential. As intra-African trade barriers come down – thanks to the AfCFTA, infrastructural investments, and events like this – goods and services are beginning to flow more easily within Africa.
And that’s creating more opportunities for everyone – Africans and Americans alike.
Discover more insights from the US-Africa Business Summit here.
