The Trade with Africa Business Summit convened in Bentonville, Ark. on Thursday and Friday this week. The summit was convened by Nazaru CEO Toyin Umesiri who designed the summit to position Arkansas as a favorable destination for African business and political leaders looking to create new partnerships in the U.S.

The World Trade Center Arkansas was a sponsor for the summit and Denise Thomas, Director of Africa and Middle East Trade for the Center served as a moderator on a panel discussing opportunities for U.S. businesses on the continent. Panel experts were Shakira Motan, the trade commissioner of the South African Consulate in Chicago and Kayode Laro, Consul General of the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta.

“The summit was a huge success,” Thomas said. “Economic development is key to elevating prosperity and ultimately encouraging bilateral trade between countries. Dozens of key decision makers will be able to take what was discussed here by experts back to their home countries in Africa and implement strategies to boost economic development through sustainable commercial practices.”

You can read more about the Summit here.