Doing Business in West Africa: Webinar Series

VEDP’s International Trade team is hosting a series of three webinars to provide information about an exploratory trade mission to Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire as well as services and stakeholder information that is relevant for companies exploring similar emerging markets.

Learn more about and register your interest in the exploratory trade mission by clicking here.

By registering for this webinar series, you are automatically signed up to participate in all three webinars.

Part 1: Understanding the Markets in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 11:00am – 12:00pm Eastern | Virtual | Free

In this webinar, you will hear from representatives from the U.S. Embassies in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire to provide an overview of the economic conditions in each country, industries that are promising for Virginia exporters, where other U.S. companies have found success, and answer market-specific questions your company might have. Representatives from the Prosper Africa initiative will also provide an overview of their services and support for U.S. companies interested in doing business in markets in Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, is experiencing one of the fastest sustained economic growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, the country’s Vision 2030 was announced to transform the economy of Côte d’lvoire by revitalizing the private sector and investing in infrastructure, education, and technology. Côte d’lvoire plays a central role as a regional economic hub for West African nations and is a receptive market for American goods and services.

Senegal is the African continent’s westernmost point, and through its geography and participation in the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) can serve as a gateway to the region. Senegal has experienced continued economic growth over the last decade, and the country has ambitious goals to generate private investment and address barriers to social and economic growth through the President’s Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE), generating a number of market opportunities for Virginia companies. With a population of nearly 18 million people, Senegal offers an attractive location for companies looking to serve the West African regional market.

Part 2: Leveraging U.S. Government Stakeholders and Investments in West Africa

Thursday, November 2, 2023, 10:00 - 11:15am Eastern | Virtual | Free

This webinar will focus on understanding the landscape of U.S. Government partners in the region - what services they offer, roles they play, current projects and procurement processes, whether they might be a buyer of a Virginia company’s product or service, and how small-and-medium sized companies in particular can engage with them.

Speakers will include representatives from the Prosper Africa initiative, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and others to be confirmed.

Part 3: Leveraging U.S. Government Stakeholders and Investments in West Africa

January 2024 (details will be provided closer to the event) | Virtual | Free

This webinar will focus primarily on understanding financing options and financial products that can mitigate your company’s risk in exporting to these markets. This includes understanding the landscape of finance and lending institutions and offering particular considerations, options, and recommendations based on market dynamics or customer expectations in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire and similar contexts.

Speakers will include representatives from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), the African Development Bank, the Prosper Africa Initiative, the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), commercial banks active in the region, and others to be confirmed.