About

ABOUT THE AFRICAN WORLD EXPO (AWE)

The African World Expo, (AWE) is a Nonprofit organization that promotes and provides global services in health, environmental, cultural, social, educational and business development issues relative to other nations including Africa and the United States.  For over 30 years, AWE has provided ongoing information, advice and contacts for U.S. Companies and Organizations wishing to do business with their African counterparts, resulting in the creation of success stories.

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Connecting Businesses in Africa and the U.S. Since 1995

African World Expo can connect African businesses with U.S. companies through forums and conferences, fostering industry growth and development. Since 1995, we have been holding informative discussions with Nigerian business leaders and industry experts.

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How We Began

We started out in Michigan, connecting local companies with other countries through conferences. Our goal is to help create new business opportunities between Africa and the U.S. through partnerships, hereby utilizing the resources they can share with the world.

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Global Experiences and Accomplishments

Experience

We have prestigious national and international speakers who have come to share their knowledge and experience with you.

In 2004 and 2005, two African World Expo Trade Mission to Africa, comprising of over twenty U.S. Companies and Organizations supported by U.S. Congressional members. The delegation held business forums, health fairs and screening in various cities.

Supported and promoted the African Growth and Opportunity Act, (AGOA) | H. R. 1432/S. 778, a trade policy established by the U.S. for stronger trade ties and opportunities with Africa.

We coordinate efforts and consultancy services for U.S. Companies and organizations to develop and do business with Africa in the following sectors, manufacturing, health care/pharmaceutical, education and agriculture.

Informative

When conducting our forums, we ensure to fill it with essential information that can expand your business and help you reach new customers.

African World Expo Trade Missions to Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Gambia and Ivory Coast, led by the World Conference of Mayors.

Supported the establishment of the State of Michigan office, the first of such undertaking by any U.S. States in Nigeria.

We also collaborate with WATTS PARTNERS, a major lobbying group in Washington DC, to promote government and business relationship between the United States and Africa.

We set up high level meetings and match makings between key businesses and government officials from Africa with their counterparts in the United States, to support policies that will enhance cooperation, create mutually beneficial opportunities and development.

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Meet Our Executive Director

Under the leadership of our founder Efiong Eniang, Sr. and supporters from the beginning, Walter Corley, Godfrey Dillard and Dean Johnson, we provided various companies the information they need to expand their business in Africa. We all helped pave the way for local companies to innovate their strategies and find new customers internationally.

East Meets West

Nigerian trade delegation visits Farmington Hills

May 9, 2013 | Joanne Maliszewski
Staff Writer
Matchmaking isn't just about love. In the world of economic development, it's about matching business leaders with each other to fuel growth and success.

When the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce visited the city of Farmington Hills May 1, it was all about making connections and seeking sources to boost business opportunities between the African nation and the U.S.

“It was hugely successful,” said Nancy Cappola, Farmington Hills economic development director. “Africans want products made in America or products made for the American market.”

A delegation with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce counted Farmington Hills as one of four cities members visited while in the U.S. They also visited Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh.

The delegation came seeking connections to companies from which they can source products and services; bring back technology to improve their agriculture, food processing and packaging industries; and in a few cases to establish joint ventures partnerships, Cappola said.

Michigan is home to some 80,000 African nationals, with a total of two million spread throughout the U.S., said Cappola, who has an existing professional relationship with the Michigan-African diaspora from her work at Tech Town in Detroit.

A group of people standing in front of a screen.
Nigerian visitors stand with Mayor Barry Brickner and City Manager Steve Brock. From left they include, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, national president, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce; Vivian Okeke, Trade & Investments attache; H.E. B.E. Archibong, deputy chief of mission, Embassy of Nigeria, Washington D.C.; Eniang Efiong, executive director, African World Expo; and Alhaji Aboyomi Shakirudeen Adigun of Exclusive Products & Equipment Ventures Ltd. Lagos, Nigeria. / Photo by AMIP

Farmington Hills City Manager Steve Brock welcomed the delegates at city hall and spoke briefly of the importance of local government in providing a stable platform for business growth.

Mayor Barry Brickner hosted the Nigerian Ambassador B.E. Archibong, the Nigerian Minister of Trade Vivian Okeke and 25 delegates. Each company representative gave a brief overview of their business and business development interests, Cappola said.

“He was very gracious,” Cappola said of Brickner, who was asked why Farmington Hills is a good location for business.

Open for Business

In addition to a local government that works with companies, Brickner told the delegates that the proximity to airports, freeways and railways, and access to Canada, as well as its array of high-tech companies makes Farmington Hills a prime spot for business development. And not to mention that potential business customers are in Farmington Hills and Michigan, Brickner added.

“They want American partnerships. They want to work with American people,” Cappola said of the Nigerian companies.

The CEO of one of Nigeria's fast growing companies seeks sources for gear boxes and heavy duty conveyor belts. An attorney, who left his practice, to open a company producing black pepper, seeks food manufacturing companies in the U.S. Another Nigerian business leader seeks technology, packaging and processing services for an agricultural company.

“They want to joint partner to help expand the poultry industry in Nigeria,” Cappola said.

Yet another Nigerian representative told Farmington Hills officials that he seeks companies to source American-made orthopedic implants in his country. Also visiting were company representatives who want to purchase heavy equipment for the construction industry in Nigeria. Others are interested in sourcing tools for the oil and shale gas industries.

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Olanipekun Ojo, executive secretary of the Nigerian-American Chamber Of Commerce, talks with representatives in Farmington Hills. / Photo by AMIP

But it wasn't just local people who were listening to the delegation. The program was streamed live over the Internet to Nigeria. At one point more than 700 people tuned in to watch the event.

“Our city wants to let global markets know that we exist and are open for business,” Cappola said.

Emerging Market

The Trade Mission was assisted locally by Eniang Efiong, founder and president of the African World Expo, and Edward Etim. Africa is an up-and-coming continent that will play a role in global economic development and business, according to economists.

Nigeria's gross domestic product was worth $243.98 billion in U.S. dollars in 2011. The GDP value of Nigeria represents 0.39 percent of the world economy, according to the World Bank. Economists expect Nigeria, already the continent's most populated nation and largest oil producer, to overtake South Africa in terms of GDP over the next several years, technically making it Africa's biggest economy, according to The Daily World newspaper.

Entrepreneurship

The importance of the Nigerian delegation visiting Farmington Hills is significant based on the fact that Africa is one of the world's emerging markets, Cappola said. And unlike America and Europe, where populations are aging and comprise among the largest population groups, Africa and India's populations are younger.

“If you don't have young people, you don't have entrepreneurship,” Cappola said.

The city invited several economic development directors from neighboring cities, including Farmington's Kevin Christensen and Livonia's Mark Taormina.

Federal representatives were also on hand to explain the services particular agencies provide for U.S. companies seeking business abroad.

For example, Richard Corson, director of the East Michigan U.S. Export Assistance Center, discussed the existing coordination between the U.S. commercial services in Nigeria and his office. Following the event, Cappola met individually with some delegation members to learn of their financial and business capacities and the type of local connections they seek.

“One of the delegates told me that the west has technology and education, and the east has resources. He said, ‘We must come together to make a better world.”

Nigerian Business Delegation Concludes U.S. Trade Mission in Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, MI – May, 2013
African World Expo and the city of Farmington Hills have hosted a business forum for the visiting Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce trade delegation to mark the end of a 4-city U.S. tour which begun in April in Washington, DC.

The city of Farmington Hills and its surrounding area is the hub of over 900 business establishments representing 700 foreign-parent firms.

“Farmington Hills understand the value of international business collaborations,” stated Efiong, Executive Director of the African World Expo. That’s why we are extremely excited about this business forum and we are really looking forward to providing an opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to be introduced to and be able to begin meaningful dialogue with American businesses.”

The forum presented a unique opportunity for both Nigerian and Michigan companies to meet in order to facilitate business between Michigan and Nigeria.

With over 170 million inhabitants Nigeria is a strong resource base, with tremendous economic growth prospects. The Nigerian governmental emphasis on investing in developing the country’s infrastructure and industry, positions Nigeria to offer significant opportunities for exports of U.S. equipment, technology and services. Nigerian leaders have embarked on programs to dramatically expand the country’s electrical energy generation capacity, improve its roads and bridges, commercialize its impressive natural gas resources, and revitalize its manufacturing sector.

A group of people standing in front of a large screen.
AMIP News Photo

“A positive orientation toward U.S. products, services and technology, makes Nigeria a market U.S. companies need to include in their international business development plans,” stated Efiong.

The forum helped businesses learn about trade financial services offered by U.S. commercial banks and trade financing agencies. It also provided information on how to enter new markets, access working capital, find buyers, establish credit and identify financial support, as well as information on protection against nonpayment, and strategies to improve cash flow.

The event was organized by the African World Expo in partnership with Watts Partners, Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Core Logistics and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC.

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