Equity for Africa Summit increases cooperation and investment from American businesses
The Liberty University School of Business, in partnership with Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center, organized and implemented one of the most groundbreaking summits in school history April 13-15, bringing in top government and business trailblazers from across Africa to discuss ways to orchestrate and deliver Judeo-Christian foundational change for all economies involved.
Pictured Left to Right: Markita Russell, Dr. Samuel Tolbert, Kevin Jessip, Dr. Scott Hicks and Pastor Forson Swanzy. (Photo by Andrew Snyder)
At the Equity for Africa summit, African leaders, attending in person or through videoconferencing, included the vice president of Nigeria, president of Ghana, former president of Malawi, vice president of Liberia, and other political and economic heads of state. Members of the Congo parliament, the governor of South Sudan, an ambassador to Rwanda, and billionaire Nigerian businesswoman Folorunso Alakijah also participated. Many other countries wanted to attend, like South Africa, but were prevented by absolute COVID-19 shutdowns.
American leaders included CEO of Hobby Lobby Steve Green; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; former Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller; former NFL star and business entrepreneur Jack Brewer; former NASA Director Jim Bridenstine; World Bank Director Erik Bethel; Marc Short, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence; and Congressman Ted Yoho, among others.
Dean of Liberty’s School of Business Dave Brat interviews former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on day one of the 3-day summit.
“This event was a Herculean effort, and our whole team was blown away by what we saw,” said Dr. Dave Brat, dean of the School of Business and former U.S. Congressman. “The Bible says feed the poor. The only thing that feeds the poor in the millions is broad-based economic growth, and the major cause of economic growth is capital accumulation. … The goal of this summit was to direct capital investments to Africa.”
Within a week of the summit, many of the participants were holding business meetings to make those connections happen.
The summit included 20 panels that tackled a wide range of economic subjects — how countries can structure deals and implement goodwill diplomacy, emerging technologies impacting developing countries, and how to end expropriation. African leadership also pitched economic opportunities within their countries, and American business leaders responded with possible solutions. Both days kicked off with Faith Factor events which brought all nations together in shared faith, worship, and friendship.
Vice President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo participated in the summit remotely, discussing economic growth opportunities within his country. (Photo provided)
Pompeo delivered the keynote address, focusing on religious liberty and the need for Christ-centered principles in Africa’s economic growth.
“Every African, and indeed every human, wants the same basic things,” Pompeo said. “They want freedom and the ability to take care of their families, and they all understand that there’s very little that is more noble than the dignity that comes with a job and opportunity to work and to deliver on behalf of their families and community. And Africans who get the opportunity to do so are obviously better, and their nation more prosperous and secure.”
He recognized the growing threats in Africa, including terrorist regimes and communism.
H.E. Ambassador Mukantabana, of Rwanda, speaks about the United States’ relationship with China, and how Africa is affected.
“Communism and socialism have failed every place they have been tried,” Pompeo said. “I hope that African nations will see that these failed socialist experiments should be of the past, and we should move forward to a new future based on a set of basic principles. … I’m supremely confident that together we can make the world better and make America better. And we are here to work on ways to make Africa stronger, more prosperous, and secure.”
The summit’s success prompted plans for a second Africa-themed summit, tentatively scheduled for late September. Visit Liberty.edu/Business/Equity-for-Africa-Summit/ to watch the sessions and learn about upcoming events.
