Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on August 3, 2010 in Washington, DC with the AGOA delegation

The U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), in collaboration with the Bureaus of Economic and Energy Affairs (EEB), African Affairs (AF), Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI), and USAID, is holding a 10-day professional program, administered by Meridian International Center, for 35 leading female entrepreneurs from 35 African countries.

Each woman was chosen by the U.S. embassy in her country on the basis of her achievement and potential. The women are participating in this professional IVLP and for three days of the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, to be held in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Missouri.  Their program will include meetings with representatives of the private, NGO and government sectors.

By examining the American marketplace, its unique culture, standards and expectations, they will assess and brainstorm capacity-building for trade with the U.S. market. Opportunities for personal interaction with American businesses that trade in their region will further this dialogue.  Exploring the offerings of innovative public-private partnerships and visiting with representatives of business networks that provide support, the delegation will gain an understanding of how American businesses build their own market capacity on an ongoing basis. In addition, meeting with U.S, federal agencies, private sector experts and international organizations they will learn about the financial resources that are available to African women-owned businesses. The program will also address the issue of economic marginalization based on gender - an experience American women share and have made great strides in overcoming. Meetings on this theme will explore the roles of community leadership and sustained political advocacy in righting gender inequities and effecting positive policy change.