The prestigious "US Business in Africa Awards" is now open for those who wish to apply. This collaborative, innovative, inspirational initiative aims to launch and sustain a culture of responsible and good corporate citizenship by U.S. businesses in Africa.
The awards are a partnership between The African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) with the support of the Hewlett Foundation and in collaboration with several partners including:
Government Partners
- U.S. Commercial Service Sub-Saharan Africa.
- U.S. Embassy in South Africa.
Founding Partners
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- Corporate Council on Africa.
- Economic Club of Africa in New York.
- American chambers of commerce in Africa (AmChams).
- Africa Business Group.
Knowledge Partners
- Wits University: Wits School of Business School (WBS); Wits School of Economics and Finance (SEF); Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment.
- William Davidson Institute based at the University of Michigan.
- Lagos Business School based at the Pan-Atlantic University.
- Strathmore University Business School.
- Good Governance Africa.
- School of Business, Howard University.
Media Partner
- AllAfrica Media
The awards aim to recognize U.S. businesses that meaningfully contribute to economic growth and investment in Africa. Further, the partners hope to produce and share knowledge on US-Africa business relations and trade contributions.
In particular, U.S. businesses (large, medium, and small) demonstrating good corporate citizenship in Africa will be acknowledged and celebrated. The top three winners in each business category will show demonstrable and positive social, cultural, and environmental impacts on core economic sectors in Africa. Businesses are invited to enter the competition from the following sectors (any other relevant sectors):
- Energy
- Retail
- Information and communication technologies
- Digital and creative industries
- Agriculture & fishing
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Transport
- Hospitality
- Health
- Construction
- Education
- Mining
"Casual evidence shows thousands of American corporations on the continent. Yet, there is no Africa-wide initiative focused on highlighting the impact of American companies in Africa, nor any formal recognition of U.S. companies for their economic and social contributions," says Dr Bob Wekesa, Deputy Director of ACSUS.
"It has been acknowledged that trade in goods and services between Africa and its foreign partners is a key ingredient for long-term and sustainable development of the continent. Many U.S. businesses of varying sizes in diverse sectors have invested substantially in African economies, thus enabling the continent to participate in the global economy. However, there is little in the way of structured, systematic, and rigorous bodies of information and knowledge on U.S. companies with the highest and positively consequential impact on the development of African economies through trade and investment flows," says Dr Mima S. Nedelcovych, who is co-chair of the Africa-US governing board.
The project will produce and disseminate knowledge on lessons learned from the winning businesses. This will build a library of case studies of U.S. businesses doing business in Africa to inform academic and intellectual programmes.
The competition is open to any U.S. business working in the aforementioned economic sectors in any of the five regions of Africa.
The deadline to enter the awards is 30 July 2022. After this, a stringent judging process will start. The awards gala event will be on 28 October 2022 at the Hilton Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. A conference on Doing Business in Africa will be convened at Wits on the 29 October 2022. Information on how to enter for the awards, including judging principles, is available HERE.
For further information, visit https://usbusinessinafricaawards.com/, and for media information, contact Prince Mudau ( prince.mudau@wits.ac.za).
*The project is led by an Africa-U.S. governing co-chaired by Prof Bhekinkosi Moyo and Dr Mima S. Nedelcovych. Prof Moyo is a professor at Wits University's Business School and founder of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI). Dr Nedelcovych is Chairman of AfricaGlobal Schaffer, a leading Washington DC and Baton Rouge LA-based advisory and project development firm.
