Encouraging Businesswomen In Africa
CIPE Conference Promotes Opportunities for Leadership

Liz Chitiga, General Manager and CEO of Minerals Marketing in Zimbabwe, put it this way: "It is absolutely imperative for African nations to have good governance, rule of law and respect for property rights, a democratic system of government, respect for human rights, political stability and policy stability, openness as far as trade is concerned, and a sound infrastructure - which in today's world includes access to the Internet."

In addition, she counseled, "There must be little (or better still no) corruption."

Chitiga was one of nearly 200 women, more than half of whom traveled from Africa, who participated in a recent conference on "Africa and America: A Gateway for Women in Business." The event was co-organized by CIPE, the Eastman Kodak Company, and the Africa-America Institute, with support from more than a dozen sponsors. (See list at bottom of page.)

CIPE's efforts to empower businesswomen continued with a special emphasis for this event on international trade, accessing credit and raising capital, generating e-business, and maximizing exposure via the Internet.

For many Americans and U.S. companies, Africa remains a paradox. On the one hand, according to Sandra Taylor, Vice President and Director of Public Affairs at the Eastman Kodak Company, Africa in recent years has posted the world's highest returns on foreign direct investment (FDI). In 1997 alone, profitability was 25 percent for Africa, compared to a world average for U.S. foreign affiliates of 12 percent.

On the other hand, noted Jennifer Hillman, Commissioner at the U.S. International Trade Commission, African tariffs are the world's highest, averaging 28 percent, and only 10 percent of Africa's trade is with other African countries. Thirty-eight African nations have joined the World Trade Organization, but very few of these are participating in the WTO's most recent agreements on information technology, financial services, and telecommunications - three areas that are vital to continued growth in today's increasingly sophisticated and global economy. She encouraged African businesswomen to play a leading role in ensuring that the WTO becomes "more inclusive, more open to smaller and newer businesses, and more effective in promoting economic development."

E-commerce was also explored as a pivotal technological advance that levels the playing field for women-owned businesses and helps them to expand globally. Participants gained first-hand knowledge as Barbara Keating of Computer Frontiers led sessions focused on the USAID-sponsored Women's Business Network, which already links several African countries, and in CyberCafé sessions hosted by Computer Frontiers and NewDeal Inc., corporate sponsors of the conference. NewDeal provided all participants with NewDeal office software, which can run on any PC, and a dozen lucky participants won hardware as well.

Kodak's Taylor suggested, "The role of African businesswomen is vital to the continent's transition to democracy and free market economies. Thus, our efforts together . . . are critical to launch an unprecedented network to further the cause of women's business empowerment in both the United States and Africa."

Chitiga of Zimbabwe called for a steadfast commitment: "What is certainly clear is that the reforms take a mighty long time and require a very different mind-set . . . Yet there is a growing move to form a regional trading bloc. There is a growing move for democracy. There is a new spirit of African renaissance. All that is needed now is for us as women to define our strategic business interests and get on with it."