Introduction:

CHICAGO, September 20, 2000 - Over 100 successful women entrepreneurs from fifteen African countries met with American corporations and entrepreneurs in Chicago to build business linkages. The international conference organized by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), The Eastman Kodak Company, and The Africa-America Institute gathered support from a dozen US corporations. The conference was held September 27-29 in the Hyatt at Chicago's University Village and also included US Government trade agencies, international trade experts, and a special focus on international e-commerce.

The conference agenda focused on factors affecting women-owned businesses, including the role of women in global business, trends in international trade, assessing credit and raising capital, e-business and how to utilize the Internet, and trends among African and American consumers.

Among African countries represented were Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The conference was preceded by a two day leadership development program to equip the African delegates with skills needed for democratic development in their nations.

In addition to The Eastman Kodak Company, corporate sponsors include American Express, America Online, Boeing, Computer Frontiers, Flowerbud.com, General Motors, New Deal, Inc., Philip Morris Companies Inc., Southwestern Bell Company, United Parcel Service, and Xerox. The National Endowment for Democracy, the US Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development provided sponsorship for African participants.