Guinea’s president seeks expanded US investment
On Thursday, September 19, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted H.E. Professor Alpha Condé, president of the Republic of Guinea.
Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham provided opening remarks and welcomed President Condé to the Atlantic Council.
President Condé discussed Guinea’s ability to implement reforms and overcome challenges in health and security. Despite international concern over adherence to term limits heading into 2020 elections, he stated that Guinea is “on the right track” and is increasingly a voice that is listened to in Africa and around the world. President Condé noted that recent reforms have improved the business climate in his country, and he relayed a desire to attract expanded US trade and investment. He referenced strong ties with US companies such as Alcoa but remarked that opportunities are not limited to the mining sector. Guinea is one of the world’s leading producers of bauxite, making the country an essential resource in the aluminum value chain, but emerging sectors include agribusiness, petroleum, and hydropower.
Following the president’s remarks, Dr. Pham moderated a discussion during which participants engaged the president on Guinea’s political outlook and the role of the private sector in the country’s socio-economic development. The Guinean delegation also included H.E. Gabriel Curtis, Minister of Investments and Public-Private Partnerships; H.E. Abdoulaye Magassouba, Minister of Mines and Geology; and H.E. Kerfalla Yansané, Ambassador to the United States. Also in attendance and participating in the roundtable were senior executives from several US government agencies, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations.
Image: H.E. Professor Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea, speaks at a private round-table discussion at the Atlantic Council. (Atlantic Council/Jasper Gilardi)