Unlocking Infrastructure Growth Potential: Sub-Saharan Africa

Join us for an in-depth conversation on infrastructure project opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, featuring perspectives from Kansas City Engineering Leaders and Key Government Resources.

With six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world and over one billion consumers, Africa is poised to play a pivotal role in the global economy. Meanwhile, producers in Africa see a U.S. consumer market of more than 300 million people that already has a purchasing power of $13 trillion ? the largest in the world. American companies not only bring significant capital, innovation, and proven solutions, but adhere to the highest standards of transparency, quality, and social responsibility. A greater connection between the U.S. and African private sectors will expand markets for U.S. goods and services and contribute to more self-reliant, prosperous, and stable African countries.

The Kansas City region is a global destination for architecture, engineering, and design talent making it one of the top five concentrations of U.S. architecture and engineering employment. Firms here have a global impact of more than $14 billion in annual global revenue (2017) by exporting top-notch engineering & design products and services spanning all sectors.

The U.S. Commercial Service Kansas City, in partnership with the World Trade Center Kansas City, invites you to participate in this virtual program featuring speakers from Black & Veatch, Alpha Energy & Electric, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Commercial Service Mozambique. The diversity of the speakers will allow a breadth of conversation around both large company and SME exporter perspectives on the market, donor-financed development programs, as well as current infrastructure project opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa. 
 
Prosper Africa is a U.S. Government Initiative that unlocks opportunities to do business in Africa ? benefiting companies, investors, and workers both in Africa and the United States. The goal is to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.

OUR SPEAKERS

Anand Pattani is currently serving as Global Vice President and Director of Black & Veatch?s international power generation business. Previously, he served as the Managing Director of Black & Veatch Mining Infrastructure and Managing Director of Black & Veatch India where he managed over 750 professionals. Anand joined Black & Veatch in 1998 and has about 25 years of experience in large project execution, business development and regional operations. His clients? include some of the world?s largest power generation, oil & gas, mining and chemical companies; EPC Contractors, electric utilities; independent power producers; and government agencies. Anand is a U.S. licensed professional engineer with a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Missouri-Columbia. He serves on the Corporate Leadership Council of the Engineers Without Borders.

Tamarind Murrietta is the Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy Maputo, Mozambique. Ms. Murrietta specializes in U.S. ? Africa commercial relations and has worked in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Tamarind was pivotal in the launch of the largest FDI in Sub-Saharan African history by playing a lead role at the U.S. Embassy in support of the Project. Before her role with Commerce, Ms. Murrietta worked at the U.S. Department of State, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Ms. Murrietta is completing a post-graduate program in Global Business at Yale University and is an alumnus of the Yale School of Management Executive Women?s Leadership Program. Ms. Murrietta received her Master?s in International Relations, specializing in International Economics, from the University of London, King?s College.  

Ike Nwabuonwu is the Chairman and CEO of Alpha Energy and Electric, Inc., an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Company with over a half century of experience. Under Mr. Nwabuonwu's leadership, Alpha Energy was the recipient of the 2017 Small Business of the Year Award and the coveted 2017 Mr. K Award. Ike has over 30 years of broad professional experience in leadership positions. Ike was among the one hundred CEOs from the U.S. and 50 African countries invited to join the U.S. President at the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit in Washington, DC. Mr. Nwabuonwu holds a proclamation from the Governor of Missouri as an Achiever in Business & Industry, a member of the Black Achievers Society of Kansas City, serves on the U.S. Trade Advisory Council for Africa, and is a member of the Mid-America District Export Council.