African leaders, U.S. business executives take part in CEO Summit at Liberty University

Liberty University kicked off its 2023 CEO Summit: Networking the Nations on Tuesday afternoon at the School of Business with a “Dialogue with Africa” panel, during which prominent government leaders in Africa as well as experts in business and industry in the U.S. spoke about the importance of investing in the continent.

The first discussion, moderated by Liberty Vice Provost for Engagement and Public Relations Dr. Dave Brat, included Tanzanian Ambassador Elsie S. Kanza and Zambian Ambassador Chibamba Kanyama. Kanza said current concerns for her country include positioning itself to begin supplying food, healthcare materials, raw metals, and critical minerals. Kanyama discussed the importance of American companies investing in their countries, noting that both Tanzania and Zambia had formally been socialist but now support free enterprise.

Kanza also invited students with entrepreneurship aspirations to visit Tanzania and invest in the country. She noted that some Tanzanians travel to the United States to study, which further helps bridge the gap between the two countries and cultures.

The second panel discussion included Jeff Krilla, Kosmos Energy vice president for Global Public Policy; Doug Keesling, chairman of Kansas Wheat Commission; Wale Ayeni, a marketing partner with Helios Digital Ventures; and Stephanie Robinson Agee, a senior vice president at Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The panel, moderated by Ned Rauch-Mannino, president of Portsmouth Limited Company, hinged on helping Africa build its economy and effectively use its resources.

“We are investing in human capital,” said Ayeni, who is Nigerian, noting that Africa currently has 1.3 billion people with an average age of 19. “The youth need to be upscaled so that they have skills to operate in the global world and have (the talents to succeed) in the future. We need to spend a lot of time building an economy and on future of work, because we feel that Africa’s competitive advantage is youth.”

Ultimately, the panelists acknowledged that investing in Africa would be mutually beneficial for companies as well as the respective African countries.

“(Africa) is the fastest growing continent, and the technology is leapfrogging. Africa can feed the world if we can figure it out,” Keesling said. “It is up to (African leaders) because Africa is a very optimistic (continent). The people are amazing in all of the countries I have traveled to. They want to figure it out, and they want to feed their people. And not only is it food for the stomach, but also the mind.”

Next, acclaimed journalist Lara Logan urged African leaders to stand against the increasing pressure by American businesses to compromise on their values. Logan, who is South African, shared how she has championed the African people throughout her career as an international reporter for CBS with “60 Minutes,” a career that has led her to see both the good and bad of humanity.

“Anywhere that I ever went in Africa, I never had reason to lose my faith in humanity because the good was always stronger than the bad,” she said. “I made up my mind that I would have the most powerful voice I could have as a journalist so I could tell stories of humanity that never allowed people to forget where I came from.”

She also spoke about how Africa is being abused by many American businesses and tricked into limiting its own production, and she highlighted ways the continent is being robbed of its resources.

“The mere fact that we are walking into a technological age where they want to digitize every form of human interaction … and yet the continent that has the most resources of rare minerals needed for that technology is not enjoying the richest age in human history, is the absolute proof that you are being robbed blind and mugged,” she told the African representatives at the event.

Following Logan’s presentation, another panel discussion included Robert Destro, former assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of State; Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, who serves in the Plateau State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Rev. Andrew Osakwe, president of Andrew Osakwe Ministries International; and Kanyama. The discussion was moderated by Max Primorac, director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation, and focused on the importance of Africa remaining true to its cultural values while engaging with international businesses.

Kanyama argued that African leaders in developing countries often face pressure to accept deals with American businesses that would require violation of their country’s principles. He noted that in Zambia, these principles arise from the country’s constitution, culture, and Christian values. He emphasized the importance of remaining true to one’s convictions, no matter the cost.

“My personal belief is that once I (compromise), I’m dead,” he said. “I’m gone and my future is gone. My children and grandchildren are dead. I would rather make a sacrifice by saying no.”

In the final presentation of the afternoon, Agee returned to the stage to encourage businesses, specifically those based in Virginia, to invest in Africa.

The “Dialogue with Africa” discussion marked the beginning of the CEO Summit, which runs Oct. 10-12 and includes many prominent figures in business, politics, entertainment, and a range of other fields. On Wednesday morning, actors and producers Kevin and Sam Sorbo as well as the producers of “The Chosen” addressed cinematic arts students. U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) are the scheduled keynote speakers at Wednesday and Thursday’s keynote dinners, respectively. On Wednesday, guests heard from a Women’s CEO panel, as well as other panels on artificial intelligence and the Supreme Court outlook for 2024. Thursday’s panels will focus on national security, China policy, second chance ministries with NFL greats.

The annual CEO Summit seeks to provide students with access to Liberty’s extensive network of world-class CEOs, government leaders, innovators, and influencers. Students will have the opportunity to build relationships with fellow students and alumni, engage in discussion on major issues in a variety of disciplines, and interact with facilitators who provide a Christian perspective to leadership. In the past, students have obtained jobs and internships from networking at the summit.

For a full schedule of events, visit the summit’s website.