Washington, DC — Join Gallup and FEEEDS July 23, 2020, for "The 7th Annual FEEEDS-Gallup Africa Forum," hosted by FEEEDS CEO Ambassador Robin Sanders and Gallup Global Managing Partner Jon Clifton .
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Constance Hamilton will provide an update on the current U.S.-Africa trade relationship, including the AfCTA, AGOA, U.S.-Kenya trade talks, and work on the importance of small businesses in these trade areas.
Gallup's Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Magali Rheault , will highlight Gallup's scene-setting data on the significance of attitudes in Africa toward small business entrepreneurship, particularly new business creation in local communities and the subregional differences.
Thank you to the following event partners : AllAfrica (media partner), the International Development Institute (IDI), and the African & Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (ACBC).
Speakers
Ms. Constance Hamilton
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa
Constance Hamilton is the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Office of the United States Trade Representative. In this capacity, she leads U.S. trade efforts in the 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa and oversees the Administration's implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Ms. Hamilton is responsible for developing and advancing bilateral, regional and multilateral U.S. initiatives to enhance U.S. trade and economic cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa. Ms. Hamilton previously served as the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, where she advanced measures to open markets and improve the investment climates in African countries.
Ambassador Robin Sanders
CEO of FEEEDS
Ambassador (Dr.) Robin Renee Sanders served as one of the U.S. Government's top diplomats on African issues over a long career in the United States Diplomatic Corps reaching senior positions ranging from Ambassador to the Republics of Nigeria, Republic of Congo, two stints – NSC Director for Africa at the White House, and U.S. Permanent Representative to the West African Regional Organization ECOWAS. Dr. Sanders received her doctor of science degree from Pittsburgh's Robert Morris University, where she also holds the title of Distinguished Public Service & Rooney Scholar; has MA and MS degrees from Ohio University; and, a BA from Hampton University. She is a recognized thought-leader on Africa's political, economic, technology, security (e.g. Boko Haram, Al Shababb) and policy issues, as well as on region's thematic topics such as SDGs, food security, democracy/elections, education & climate change. She has testified before the U.S. Congress on these topics. Her advisory firm is divided into two parts: The FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative and FE3DS, LLC. FEEEDS focuses on Africa economic development, Diaspora, Entrepreneurship/SMEs issues. FEEEDS also advises several organizations; co-hosts an annual Africa event with Gallup World Poll; and publishes @The FEEEDS Index. Sanders' national security expertise is based on her work at the White House; as Deputy Commandant-Eisenhower College, the National Defense University, the U.S. military's premier institution for strategic studies; her diplomatic postings; and her work on global issues. She is sought after by media such as Al Jazeera, China Television, VOA, and CNN for her Africa expertise. FE3DS, LLC provides business strategies on Africa trade, technology, power, renewables, affordable housing and aviation.
Jon Clifton
Global Managing Partner , Gallup
Jon Clifton is the Global Managing Partner of Gallup, an advisory firm that specializes in big data analytics of employees, customers, students and citizens. Jon's mission is to help 7 billion citizens be heard on their most pressing work and life issues through the Gallup World Poll, a 100-year initiative spanning 150 countries. Because of his expertise, Jon has been interviewed on BBC News, C-SPAN's Washington Journal, and Al-Jazeera, and has testified in front of the U.S. Congress on the state of American small business and entrepreneurship. He is a frequent contributor on Gallup.com and has written for The Hill, The Diplomatic Courier, and The Global Action Report.
Magali Rheault
Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Gallup World Poll
Magali Rheault is Regional Research Director for sub-Saharan Africa for the Gallup World Poll. As the largest independent source of global survey research, the World Poll measures the most important issues people around the worl face. Ms. Rheault leads survey research operations across the African continent and is responsible for sampling, questionnaire design, fieldstaff training and quality control. Her main research interests focus on the intersection of governance, economic growth and human development in sub-Saharan Africa. As an academically trained urban planner, Ms. Rheault focuses on big-picture thinking to better understand how people's surroundings shape their perceptions and opinions. She is passionate about translating data into information and knowledge to help clients incorporate survey findings into impactful initiatives.
Amadou Mahtar Ba
Co-Founder & Executive Chair, AllAfrica
Amadou Mahtar Ba is co-founder and executive chair of AllAfrica Global Media, a systems technology developer and leading distributor of African news and information worldwide. In partnership with over 130 African media organizations, AllAfrica supplies content through the website allAfrica.com as well as social media, Google News, Apple News and to such clients as LexisNexis, Bloomberg, Dow Jones/Factiva.
Parashu Nepal
Founder/Managing Director , International Development Institute
Parashu Ram Nepal is an experienced training and executive education expert. He has founded a training organization, International Development Institute (IDI) to cater capacity building and institutional strengthening needs of private and public sector agencies in developing and emerging economies. The primary focus areas include financial sector reform, private sector development, trade policy, rule of law and good governance.
Suman Timsina
Executive Director , International Development Institute
Suman Raj Timsina is an accomplished Manager with 20 + years of leadership with strategy, management, and execution experience. He highly motivated dynamic leader who drives growth from a deep understanding of customer behavior, technology, product design and execution. Proven track record of designing, developing, planning and delivery of innovative strategy, complex Profit & Loss (P&Ls) and cross-functional change programs.
Stanley Straughter
Chairman, African Caribbean Business Council
Stan Straughter is a specialist in International Business Development with nearly 40 years of experience in international development he has lived and worked in several countries on the continents of Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Russia. As a finance specialist, Mr. Straughter has provided services to foreign governments in governance and transparency, worked with Finance Ministers and provided advice and counsel to governments on trade policy, foreign direct investment and economic growth and cooperative economic development. Mr. Straughter has considerable experience working with bilateral and multilateral financial development entities such as The World Bank, USAID, African Development Foundation, African Development Bank, Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotion service and U.S. Trade and Development Administration, OPIC, Export Import Bank. Mr. Straughter has experience in the following countries: Cameroon, Egypt, India, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Israel, Niger, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Senegal, Togo, Virgin Islands, South Africa, Russia, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Liberia, Nigeria, Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Nigeria. Mr. Straughter advises public and private sector entities on issues related to international trade, exporting and importing, market analysis and preparing market penetration strategies to emerging markets for small and medium sized businesses. He organizes investment promotion seminars in the United States on behalf of developing countries, particularly African and Caribbean countries. Successful trade missions have been organized to Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Liberia, Jamaica, Brazil and Nigeria. Mr. Straughter is also a specialist on issues affecting small and medium enterprises in developing countries and the United States.
