Against a backdrop of global competition and shifting energy security priorities, U.S. and African leaders used the opening session to push for stronger institutional engagement, accelerated project financing and a recalibration of America’s commercial approach to the continent.

“The U.S. cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher of Texas’ 7th Congressional District, emphasizing Houston’s role as a key African trade hub, with $6.8 billion in Africa-related trade passing through the Port of Houston in 2024 alone.

While U.S. private sector interest is growing, leaders emphasized that policy inertia, risk perception and underuse of U.S. financing tools like the DFC, EXIM Bank and U.S. TDA are holding back momentum – especially as African economies accelerate efforts to industrialize, electrify and develop their vast energy and mineral reserves.

“African resources need to partner with American innovation. For this to happen, we must create the right environment for U.S. capital to flow… Projects alone aren’t enough. Capital follows confidence, and confidence follows policy,” said Dr. Guevera Yao, Vice President for the US-Africa Business Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Africa’s energy future is not just a development challenge – it’s a commercial opportunity.”

Echoing these remarks, Kelly Waterman, Regional Director of the Office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, stated that “Critical minerals are a strategic opportunity to reshape the U.S.-Africa relationship, from aid based to commercial engagement.”

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a key source of cobalt and other transition minerals, is preparing to sign a new bilateral economic agreement with the U.S., seeking to mobilize significant external financing and knowledge transfer, particularly in the construction of basic infrastructure.

“To achieve this, the DRC government has opted for a strategy of financing development projects through Public Private Partnerships and collaboration agreements,” said Yves Tala Ngai, Director of Studies and Planning at the country’s Agency for the Management, Coordination and Supervision of Conventions Agreements.

The country is also pushing to reposition its hydrocarbons sector.

“We closed the last bid round of 2022 and are now reviewing our laws and preparing data rooms. We are fully working on reforms – those reforms must lead us to change the perception of DRC’s oil sector,” said Joel Fumbwe, Upstream Technical Advisor at the DRC’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons. “We are expecting strong collaboration with the U.S., knowing the U.S. has strong experience in the oil industry.”

Liberia also made a direct appeal to U.S. investors, citing world-class critical mineral reserves, a favorable investment climate and first-mover opportunities in refining, processing and gas-to-power development.

“My mandate is clear: to identify and cultivate opportunities that bring U.S. capital to Liberia’s priority sectors, including energy and mining,” said Ambassador Isaac E. Taggart, Jr, Special Envoy – U.S. Trade & Investment for Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Adding to this, Romuald Louyindoula Mayamona, Board Chair of the Texas African Chamber of Commerce, shared that “Africa doesn’t lack potential – it lacks infrastructure, investment and scale of partnerships. It’s a frontier of resilience, ingenuity and unmatched potential.”