Coming off the heels of the agreement for the Continental Free Trade Area pact between 44 African leaders, three billionaires from Dubai, a 30-CEO delegation from Qatar, a 30-person delegation from the Saudi Arabia Development Fund, investor delegations from China and India, and 30 African trade ministers will all convene in Washington later this month to discuss trade with Africa and foreign direct investment.

This year’s World Business Week on Africa converges in Washington, DC on June 24 to 26 for the African Trade & Investment Growth Summit (ATIGS) and is designed to promote and facilitate international trade between the Americas, Asia, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and Africa. More than 50 heads of nations and hundreds of government delegations, project developers, and international investors from more than 70 countries are confirmed to participate. The biennial conference and exhibition will be held at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center and will also include the Africa Tech Summit, an MOU Signing Ceremony, the UAE-Africa Business Forum, US-Africa Manufacturing Forum, EU-Africa International Business Congress, and the Africa FDI Shark Tank.

With Africa quickly becoming an attractive region for foreign investment and international trade, this year’s summit aligns with two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all) and SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development). ATIGS 2018 is also designed to contribute to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Trade  Africa, the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the UN’s SDG Agenda 2030, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by enabling companies all around the world and global investors to access African markets at a one-stop shop and facilitating international trade and investment partners.

ATIGS 2018 will cover 16 economic sectors particularly manufacturing, agribusiness, power, construction, infrastructure, transportation, IT, tourism, healthcare, telecoms, fintech, and natural resources sectors. The event has a well-structured format for facilitating direct peer engagement, for more advanced deal-making, showcasing fundable companies, co-investments and financing engagements, strategic partnerships, and business networking.