New York, USA — At the prestigious 2024 International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership (IFAL), Ms. Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, delivered a compelling keynote address that underscored the role of strategic partnerships in driving economic growth and fostering sustainable development.
As a highly respected global trade leader, Ms. Lewis highlighted the importance of leveraging trade to create resilient economies across Africa and the Caribbean, focusing on the forum’s theme, “Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Drive Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies.”
In her address, Ms. Lewis emphasised the significance of international collaboration in addressing the evolving needs of the global marketplace. She shared insights on how EXIM Bank is committed to supporting Africa and the Caribbean in enhancing their trade potential, creating jobs, and promoting economic inclusivity.
A Vision for Global Economic Prosperity
As the first African American woman to lead EXIM Bank, Ms. Reta Jo Lewis has been at the forefront of facilitating U.S. trade globally, with a strong focus on emerging markets. She has championed the bank’s efforts to provide financial tools and services that enable businesses in Africa and the Caribbean to grow through trade with the United States, while also enhancing American exporters’ access to new markets.
Under her leadership, EXIM Bank has forged numerous partnerships with governments and private sector players, offering critical support to infrastructure projects, manufacturing, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Ms. Lewis’s keynote at IFAL 2024 reflected this mission, where she highlighted the role of financing solutions in unlocking Africa’s vast trade potential. She also underscored the need for capacity-building programs that ensure businesses are well-positioned to compete in the global economy.
Driving Sustainable Development through Trade
The keynote by Ms. Lewis not only celebrated the successes of EXIM Bank’s work but also addressed the broader global challenges, including climate change and the need for inclusive economic growth. She emphasised that sustainable development must be at the heart of any trade policy.
EXIM Bank, under Ms. Lewis’s leadership, has also placed a high priority on supporting projects that focus on clean energy and green infrastructure in Africa and the Caribbean. By doing so, EXIM is helping nations in these regions meet their development goals while addressing global environmental challenges.
Influential Figures in Attendance
The IFAL 2024 event was attended by some of the most influential leaders and policymakers from Africa and the Caribbean, as well as global business executives: Her Excellency Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, Deputy Secretary-General, African National Congress, South Africa; H.E. Sen. Douye Diri, CON, Executive Governor, Bayelsa State, Nigeria; H.E. Mr. Agbu Kefas, Executive Governor, Taraba State, Nigeria; H.E. Martin Gama Abucha, Hon. Minister, Ministry of Mining, Republic of South Sudan; Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor, Central Bank of Barbados; Mr. Harry Kalaba, President, Citizens First Party, Zambia; Senator Barr Sunday Marshall Katung, Senator for Southern Kaduna, Nigeria; Mr. Stephen L. Hightower, President and CEO, Hightowers Petroleum Co. (HPC), USA; Dr. Benedito Paulo Manuel, Director General, Sociedade Mineira De Catoca Lda, Angola; Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Managing Director, National Petroleum Authority, Ghana; Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Eng. Victor B. Mapani, Managing Director, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO); Mr. Daniel Asiedu, Managing Director, OmniBSIC Bank Limited, Ghana; and Dr. Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, CEO, KOM Group of Companies, Tanzania, among others, were in attendance.
These leaders and others joined Ms. Lewis in exploring how international trade, innovative financing, and cross-regional collaboration can play pivotal roles in solving key global issues, including poverty, inequality, and the need for sustainable economic models.
A Legacy of Leadership in Global Trade
Ms. Reta Jo Lewis’s tenure at EXIM Bank has been marked by a deep commitment to expanding the bank’s footprint in Africa and the Caribbean. Her leadership has led to increased opportunities for U.S. exporters and created new pathways for economic collaboration between the U.S. and emerging markets.
She has worked extensively to advocate for African businesses on the international stage, leading initiatives that bolster U.S.-Africa trade relations and enhance the competitiveness of African goods in the global marketplace. Her keynote at IFAL 2024 further underscored her vision for a future in which Africa and the Caribbean are key drivers of global trade, supported by robust international partnerships.
About IFAL and African Leadership Magazine
The International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership (IFAL) is an annual event hosted by African Leadership Magazine, designed to foster dialogue between leaders across Africa and the Caribbean. The forum serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring innovative solutions to the most pressing global challenges, with a focus on sustainable development, trade, and economic growth.
African Leadership Magazine continues to be a leading voice in promoting Africa’s development story. Through its vast readership of over 1.2 million global leaders, policymakers, and business executives, the magazine highlights leadership initiatives that have a lasting impact on the continent and beyond.
Ms. Reta Jo Lewis’s keynote address at IFAL 2024 affirmed her leadership in advancing global trade partnerships, and her continued advocacy for economic growth and sustainability through innovative financial solutions will leave a lasting impact on Africa and the Caribbean for years to come.
For information, contact:
The Group Editor
King Richard Igimoh
editor@africanleadership.co.uk, King.richards@africanleadership.co.uk
