File photo of Amina Benkhadra, General Director of Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). © Abdelhak Army/AFP
You wouldn't expect many African countries to invest in the US at high rates.
And you'd be right…mostly.
The US Commerce Department shines a rare light on foreign direct investment (FDI) from the continent into the world's largest consumer market this week when it hosts a conference. Annual SelectUSA Investment Summit Just outside Washington, DC. Investors from around the world will have the chance to interact with several thousand federal and state officials, US CEOs and other international entrepreneurs in National Harbor, Maryland, through Wednesday.
The US Commerce Secretary says, “The Investment Summit is where America and the world come together to make deals to bring businesses into the world's largest economy.” Howard LutnickWho will give the welcome speech this morning. “The United States' $30 trillion economy is open for business, and this investment summit is where the deals happen.”
Deputy Secretary of State christopher landau Comments are also expected this week.
Africa may lag behind the rest of the world when it comes to investing in the US, but some countries are ahead.
Despite diplomatic tensions with the US, South Africa is prominent among them: according to US International Trade Administration data, investors in Africa's most industrialized nation held $5.4 billion worth of equity and net loans to US companies in 2024 (by contrast, FDI leader Japan stood at $819 billion).
Other notable African investors include Tunisia ($54 million), Egypt ($41 million), Liberia ($23 million) and kenya ($6 million). Ghana and Zimbabwe each recorded $1 million.
Events of interest for Africa watchers include Tuesday's panel on critical minerals and Wednesday's session on 'US Visas: What business travelers need to know'. Potential African trading partners are suffering the consequences donald trump The administration's travel restrictions, subject to visa bonds with 30 African countries and travel from another 12, are completely prohibited.
The conference comes as US exports to Africa reach a record high of nearly $40.4 billion in 2025, an increase of nearly 25% from 2024, driven by strong sales of machinery, mineral fuels and agricultural products. African exports to the US increased by a modest 8.5% last year, from $39.6 billion to $43 billion.
Morocco lays gas pipeline to Nigeria
While Washington will encourage foreign investors, Morocco will look for American partners.
Amina BenkhadraThe director general of Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) is in the city this week to meet with US officials, business leaders and the think tank community. He is expected to speak at the Stimson Center on Thursday Morocco's energy future and strategic resources.
With the North African kingdom emerging as “a major player at the intersection of energy security and the global green transition”, Benkhadra is expected to discuss everything from critical minerals to fossil fuel exploration. However, the center of his speech in Washington was to build support for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a proposed 4,300-mile, $26 billion project to carry Nigerian gas north through 11 coastal countries, boosting the region's development and further integrating its economy.
In other think tank news, the Middle East Institute hosts one on Wednesday zoom webinar On 'Sudan's Civil War: Internal Dynamics and External Drivers'. Speakers include Suleiman Baldo, Executive Director and Policy Expert, Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker jehan henryFormer advisor to the Transitional Government of Sudan.
China has taken over the United Nations
China is taking over the leadership of the UN Security Council this month, with an agenda largely focused on revamping the international order and dismantling it. War in the Middle East. Permanent Representative, “Stability and development of African countries” will be the third priority of the Chinese presidency Fu Kang Said in the May 1 press conference.
On Thursday, the Council held a briefing and consultations on the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the peacekeeping mission established to monitor the situation in June 2011. border between sudan and south sudan.
“This month, the Security Council will hold regular briefings on UNISFA, ICC Libya, and monitor the arms embargo on the high seas off the Libyan coast, as well as South Sudan-related sanctions,” Fu said. “During China's presidency, the Council will maintain its focus on Africa and support efforts to solve African issues through African ways.”
Milken highlights African fund managers
Finance leaders from around the world descend on Beverly Hills through Wednesday for the annual ceremony Milken Institute Global Conference.
Today's panel will include a discussion of critical mineral investment opportunities, including the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef.
In the evening, Milken Institute Africa and BGR Group hosted a private dinner for Africa stakeholders and members of the Africa Leadership Council to discuss key priorities for Africa and the Milken Institute's involvement on the continent.
On Tuesday, a panel on 'Investing in the Next Generation of African Fund Managers' features the following:
- wale adiosunFounder and CEO of Kuramo Capital Management
- wale ayeniManaging Partner of Helios Digital Ventures
- Cola MirrorFounding Partner of Ventures Platform Fund
- jenny chamberlainFounder and CEO of Altri Capital (Pty) Ltd
- Afsane JethaManaging Partner and CEO of Alta Semper Capital
- Sarah NagamauManaging Director of Kuramo Capital and Partner at Moremi Fund
- Mezuo NunleyManaging Partner of Sahel Capital Agribusiness Managers Limited
- selma ribicaManaging Partner of First Circle Capital
CEO of African Private Capital Association in the afternoon Abi Mustafa-Maduakor Hosts a panel on global investors' view of Africa. and Executive Director of the World Food Program cindy mccain On a lunchtime panel on humanitarian leadership and the future of global development.
Tuesday evening, Milken Africa President British Robinson Will moderate a panel on 'Why Africa, Why Now: Investing in the World's Next Growth Engine' with the former US Ambassador to Kenya. meg whitman and Chairman and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation samaila zubairo.
Finally, on Wednesday, Milken hosted a panel on 'Culture is Capital: Investing in Africa's growing creative economy.'
In other finance news, Africa Capital Digest and KRL International host alex macdonaldDirector of Africa Policy at the US International Development Corporation (DFC) on Wednesday morning for one webinar On mitigating Africa's unique risk environment.
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