H.E Amb. Hilda Suka – Mafudze, Permanent Representative (PR) of the African Union (AU) to the United States of America (USA), from 12 to 14 December 2024, attended a series of meetings and working sessions in Kansas, following an invitation by the Kansas Department of Commerce, International Development. Discussions during the engagements focused on ways of enhancing cooperation ties between both institutions for the benefit of their respective populations.

Upon her arrival in Kansas on 12 December 2024, the AU Permanent Representative to the USA met with Governor Laura Kelly at the State Capitol Building, Topeka, capital city of Kansas. On 13 December, which was dubbed, the Industry Engagement Day, Amb. Mafudze visited the National Institute for Aviation Research and the Smart Factory by Deloitte, before taking part at the Global Economic Development Luncheon with Consul Generals including Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Germany, Quebec, France and Ireland. She also participated in the Wichita’s Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.

While in Wichita, Amb. Mafudze met with the Africa Union Council of Elders, and later, on 14 December, she participated in an event dedicated to children story time performance, under the hospices of Dr. Daisy Kabagarma, educator and native of Uganda. Dr. Kabagarma is also the founder of the Wichita Africa Union, a poet , a motivational speaker and a media personality.

The visit to Kansas was an opportunity for Amb. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, to discuss the importance of cooperation between Kansas and Africa in various aspects of human endeavour. “Africa, despite facing challenges like slavery and colonialism, is on a trajectory towards realizing its economic development blueprint, Agenda 2063. Noted the AU PR to the USA.  She added that Kansas, as the breadbasket of the country, has the potential to capitalize on Africa's agricultural sector, which offers good soil, land, climate, and favorable national policies”.

According to Amb. Mafudze, the agribusiness value chain in Africa is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, making it an attractive investment opportunity. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents investment opportunities, including a single continental market with a population of 1.3 billion and a GDP of $3.4 trillion. The Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) also presents opportunities for Kansas businesses to invest in African companies. She hoped that the US Congress will renew AGOA before its expiry in September 2025 and expand the number of AGOA beneficiary countries, further enhancing investment opportunities.

“Africa offers opportunities for investors to invest in the energy sector due to the high energy access deficit. African leaders are focusing on energy, with an Energy Summit in Tanzania in January 2025. Kansas, home to Panasonic, a major lithium-ion battery manufacturer, has large deposits of lithium, cobalt, and copper. The African diaspora community, recognized as the sixth region of the African Union, is encouraged to invest and transfer skills abroad.” Concluded the Head of the AU Mission to the USA.

It is worth recalling that the Kansas Gateway Trade Mission to Africa in May 2025 aims to deepen ties between Kansas and Africa.

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Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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