Africare Celebrates Power in Africa at its 2014 Creating Opportunities for Development in Africa Summit

General Electric and Aliko Dangote recognized for their contributions in building infrastructure in Africa.

WASHINGTON (April 14, 2014) – Africare, the oldest and largest African-American led non-profit committed to advancing development in Africa, hosted more than 200 global leaders in business and government on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at its inaugural Creating Opportunities for Development in Africa (CODA) Summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. The event honored General Electric (GE) and Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote with awards for their work in powering the African continent.

The CODA Summit heralded the message that Africans are helping build a new Africa and that there is room and opportunity for economic success for American investors. On Saturday morning, Africare hosted a panel on powering Africa with Jay Ireland, president and CEO, GE Africa; Scott Eisner, vice president for African Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Donald Kaberuka, president, African Development Bank; and Stephen D. Cashin, CEO, Pan African Capital Group, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, where Africare signed a five-year partnership agreement with the African Development Bank.

Africare President Darius Mans [left] and African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka [right] sign a five-year partnership agreement at Africare’s Powering Africa Panel on Saturday, April 12. Photo: Jacob Foko

“Africare is proud to honor GE with the 2014 CODA Corporate Award for its leadership and investment in improving the quality of life for Africans through its power-generating programs,” said Darius Mans, president, Africare. “GE’s resolute commitment to developing Africa’s power grid, and ensuring greater access to electricity, has paved the way for foreign and national investment in power initiatives throughout Africa.”

Jay Ireland, president and CEO of GE Africa, accepted the award.

Africare also honored Aliko Dangote with the 2014 CODA Leadership Award for his personal vision for and investment in Africa, and for advocating foreign investment across the continent. Mr. Dangote’s leadership and commitment to economic growth on the continent has advanced Africa to a better standard of living, greater opportunity for prosperity, and a brighter future. Accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Dangote was his daughter, Halima Dangote, and Dangote Group Special Adviser to the President, Joseph Makoju.

In 2013, Africare presented Dr. Mo Ibrahim with its Leadership Award for raising the bar on good governance and leadership through The Mo Ibrahim Foundation. In 2011, Africare awarded its first Corporate Award to Vale for its dedication to enhance the health, nourishment, empowerment and employment of the African people, and its Leadership Award to former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for the countless contributions in trade, investment and diplomatic relations between Brazil and Africa.

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