Trade Winds – Africa Offers Opportunities, Tips, and Intel to U.S. Firms

This post originally appeared on the Tradeology, the ITA Blog

Africa is a huge potential market for almost any U.S. exporter, but there are several factors for any business to consider before exporting to the continent:

• What is your market potential?
• How should you enter the market?
• Who can you partner with on the ground?
• How will you protect your intellectual property?

Good news: the Trade Winds—Africa Business Development Conference and trade mission in September 2015, will answer these questions and connect your company directly to the opportunities on the ground.

Check out the conference program and you’ll see that it runs the gamut of intelligence necessary for U.S. companies to take advantage of opportunities and find success in Africa.

U.S. Commercial Service officers from the region and expert guest panelists will explain how to mitigate business risk, brand your business, take advantage of government support, and access the growing middle class in these important emerging markets.

Africa is one of the most promising regional markets in the world:

• Regional economic growth has outpaced the world average and is forecast to continue.
• A growing middle class means there’s an expanding pool of potential customers.
• The regional focus on infrastructure development helps simplify the export process.
• African leaders and consumers recognize and seek out quality American-made goods.

Don’t forget that in addition to the conference, there are also trade mission stops in eight growing African markets, where you will be connected directly to potential partners on the ground.

When you register for Trade Winds, our team will help identify the best markets for you, so you can make the most of your trip.

Are you ready to find your next customers and grow your business? Join us at Trade Winds! To get more information or if you have questions, contact us at tradewinds@trade.gov and follow the conversation on Twitter: #TradeWinds15.

Chris Higginbotham is a Communications Specialist in the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Northern Virginia.