09 September 2009
African Development Foundation Head Discusses AGOA Forum 2009
CO.NX webchat transcript, September 9
Lloyd O. Pierson, president and chief executive officer of the United States African Development Foundation, answered questions in a September 9 CO.NX webchat that was a follow-up discussion on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum 2009, held in Nairobi, Kenya, August 4–6.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
CO.NX Program Transcript
CO.NX Chat: AGOA Forum, 2009
Guest: Lloyd Pierson
Date: September 9, 2009
Time: 8 a.m. EDT (12:00 GMT)
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to our webchat! Please join us for a follow up discussion on the topic of the AGOA Forum, 2009. The webchat will take place on September 9, at 08:00EDT/12:00GMT.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to today's webchat. We are taking your questions now. The chat will begin at the top of the hour.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi, yes we are online.
user1: is anyone here?
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Yes we are here.
Ike Nwosu: Will it be live
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Ike, yes the live chat will begin at the top of the hour.
user1: hi
Helfire: ok
Chukwuma Okoye: ok. hope to be prompted at the top of the hour
Cyril Oleh: Hi, my name is Cyril Oleh, Abuja Nigeria
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Cyril!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We'll get started in just a moment.
Lloyd Pierson: I am looking forward to receiving your comments about the African Growth and Opportunity Act and have the opportunity to respond. I believe in economic growth in Africa and how the quality of life can be improved, even for the most marginalized populations, by having a job and an income to support their family. I have seen so many times the real glow that occurs when an individual feels they are achieving success and can support their family. My name is Lloyd Pierson and I am the President/Chief Executive Officer of a United States Government Foundation called the United States African Development Foundation. We provide assistance to the most marginalized, underserved, underprivileged populations in Africa and do so in a participatory development manner. Previously, I was the Assistant Administrator for Africa at the United States Agency for International Development and have been Acting Worldwide Director of the Peace Corps, plus served as Chief of Staff/Chief of Operations for Peace Corps.
Lloyd Pierson: I lived in Africa for over seven years and was the Peace Corps Country Director in Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, and Swaziland and negotiated the bilateral agreement for Peace Corps to enter Zimbabwe. I served as the U.S. Head of Delegation for the inauguration of President Pohamba in Namibia; the U.S. Head of Delegation for the Congo River Basin Summit Conference in the Republic of Congo; and was a member of the United States delegation to the World Trade Organization conference in Hong Kong. I have also had the opportunity to address a plenary session of the United Nations on international volunteerism.
Lloyd Pierson: Like all of us, I have a lot to learn, but value my experience living in working in Africa and being able to see so many Africans, both in villages and in capital cities, working hard to make a better life for themselves and their families. I believe the United States African Development Foundation can help make dreams come true for the “bottom billion” and that AGOA is a significant factor and should be continued.
Elizabeth Akinbulumo: My name is Elizabeth Akinbulumo, IRC Director, Abuja. Hi everyone
Cyril Oleh: Clear with me, welcome
Chukwuma Okoye: on. Ready
Rabia Ahsan: Do you really think AGOA has established a strong economic relations between USA and Sub Saharan african region?
Lloyd Pierson: Absolutely. While there is room for much improvement, AGOA has helped focus considerable efforts on trade and investment benefitting both Africa and the United States. Prior to the creation of AGOA, there was much less of a U.S. effort to focus on enterprise development in Africa and certainly there was no central part of the U.S. Government that openly and actively promoted Africa – U.S. trade and investment as we now see with the United States Trade Representative, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, and multiple other U.S. agencies, including the one I represent. AGOA has helped mobilize many Americans to be more active in focusing on development assistance in Africa and it has helped build a strong constituency for Africa in the U.S. Congress. I have been to most of the AGOA conferences since AGOA was first passed by the United States Congress. I have met with most of the African Trade Ministers, and even with all of the challenges directed toward trade and investment, both in the United States and in Africa, I believe AGOA serves a valuable forum to help determine policy and focus on economic development.
Mohammad Shehu: pls, what the peace corps worldwide director is doing about the Nigeria peace corps?
Lloyd Pierson: To my knowledge, the Peace Corps is not currently in Nigeria. They were there at one time and Volunteers and Nigerians generally were very appreciative of the Peace Corps service. There has been a lot of interest expressed over the years both in Nigeria and in the United States about a return to Nigeria, and there have been internal assessments in the past, but a new agreement has not been negotiated. The Peace Corps is a wonderful organization and Peace Corps volunteers do a terrific job. The Administration has recently named a new Director and I do not know the interest they might have in re-opening a program in Nigeria, but I will forward this question to Peace Corps so they will know the interest.
TD: what AGOA does? I mean, what purpose?
Lloyd Pierson: AGOA was created to provide a forum and certain preferences for an increase in trade and investment, particularly non – hydrocarbons, between the United States and Africa. While the impact has been less than originally expected, AGOA has contributed substantially to the knowledge of what needs to be done in Africa, both in terms of a country and of the different regions, and in the United States. I believe it has worked and should be continued and should be promoted very aggressively. I have been to most of the AGOA conferences and have always learned a lot from them and each time I have been inspired to increase efforts to assist in economic development. It is the United States and Africa working together, discussing issues, trying to resolve problems, and giving individuals hope.
PAS LAGOS: Samuel Eyitayo, IRC Director joining from Lagos with some IRC members in attendance
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): If you are just joining the chat, welcome! Mr. Pierson is busy reviewing and answering your questions now. Keep sending them in and he will try to answer as many as possible.
Guest: Good day. what are the main products from Africa exported to U.S.? Also, what products are import to Africa from U.S.? How this agreement helps Africa? Who get more from it?
Lloyd Pierson: First, just some of the data that is available. U.S. total trade with Sub-Sahara increased by 28 percent in 2008, with both exports and imports increasing. Petroleum products, by far, continued to be the largest single product exported from Africa to the U.S.; however, U.S. imports increasingly have reflected a wider range of products. These include jewelry and jewelry parts, fruit and nut products; fruit juices; leather products, plastic products and and cocoa paste. In terms of percentage of world trade, Non oil AGOA trade, such as apparel and textiles, need to be increased dramatically.
Lloyd Pierson: At the present time, Sub-Sahara accounts for slightly more than one percent of U.S. merchandise exports. Imports to Africa tend be motor vehicles, aircraft, medical equipment, and a variety of electrical and other machinery.
Lloyd Pierson: Second, increased trade and investment will benefit both Africa and the United States and there needs to be increasingly concerted efforts in both countries to fully appreciate the importance of trade for Africa's economic development. In his inaugural address in 2005, President Pohamba of Namibia talked about the advancements his country has made since independence when the main issue there was reconciliation, but now (2005) the main need was for economic development. I believe that is the kind of leadership that is needed all across Africa and it does reflect what many African Heads of State and Ministers are saying: economic development is the critical issue. While development assistance will remain important, the best way out of poverty is to help people not be poor, and one of the primary ways that is accomplished is by helping to create jobs. With an income, individuals can improve their quality of life, improve their housing, pay school fees, and have the pride of their own achievement.
Elizabeth Akinbulumo: I am Joy Usman, joining from Abuja Information Resource Center, a Student of University of Abuja
PAS LAGOS: This is henry omohan from lagos joining the chat
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Henry.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Joy! We're glad you are online with us today.
peterchogudo: This is Peter Chogudo joining from Abuja
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome Peter!
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): While Mr. Pierson works on your questions, we have some questions for you.
Dk: what are the steps necessary to fight corruption?
Lloyd Pierson: There is no easy answer to this, but it is one that every African country and others around the world need to address. Corruption is a major barrier to trade and investment, plus it has an extremely negative impact on the quality of life of a nation’s citizens. It must be addressed at all levels of government and in some instances it has become a major part of the campaign for elective office. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made it a significant part of her campaign for the Presidency of Liberia and she has made great strides there. Much of it comes down to what kind of leadership Africans will accept in their country. South Africa was fortunate that Nelson Mandela was there to lead his country out of the multiple problems they experienced and while it is rare to see the kind of leadership that President Mandela exhibited, good governance benefits all involved … not just a few.
Cyril Oleh: Go ahead with the questions
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Please see our poll in the lower left.
PAS LAGOS: PasLagos Abudu kester joining the chat, please there is no audio
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Kester, today we are on a text-only chat format. Sometimes we do Audio and Video but today just text.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Some of you are asking about your questions and when answers will appear. Mr. Pierson is working hard on your many questions but he can only answer one at a time, please be patient. Thank you!
qasim akinreti: how far has african countries benefit from AGOA
Lloyd Pierson: Although a lot remains to be done, the prime benefit has been a concentration and focus on the need for increased trade and investment. AGOA has not at this time been as successful as originally intended, but progress has been made and there is a high value in AGOA. In 2008, U.S. imports under AGOA were $66.3 billion, 29.8 percent more than in 2007. AGOA is generally recognized in the United States as a very successful approach and it brings together both Africans and Americans in an effort to build on the successes that have already been achieved.
Lloyd Pierson: I have been at most of the AGOA conferences and while there always are improvements that can be made, the majority of Ministers and government officials with whom I have met are glad that AGOA exists. It is an excellent forum to discuss policy and bring together all of the sectors necessary for increased trade and investment, including civil society, the private sector, and government officials.
Lloyd Pierson: In the recently concluded Forum in Nairobi, I had the opportunity to co-chair a plenary session and the Foundation's Vice Chair conducted another session. Following each of the sessions, we had a long queue of government represents asking for the United States African Development Foundation to enter their countries because of the successful foreign assistance model that we have. This model is one of economic assistance focused on marginalized populations with Africans, not expatriates, managing our programs in each of the 20 African countries in which we are located.
sayon: Sayon/IRC CONAKRY: EXPLICQTIONS SUR L'EXPORTA TION DES PRODUITS DE MERS
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Sayon and to all of our friends in Conakry. Today's chat is an English-language webchat. We'll be happy to take your questions in English. Thank you!
Cyril Oleh: Mark, I will be glad if you announce the result of your polls at the end of the session. Thank You
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): To Conakry...we have a French-Language chat taking place right now: La microfinance en Afrique de l'Ouest: le cas du Sénégal https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/dakar
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Our next POLL is coming up now.
Kayode Samson Ajayi:This is Kayode Ajayi from Lagos
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello and welcome!
tolo: Hello Lloyd Pierson! What can you tell us about results of this important forum in 2009/? what will this do for Africa? Also please tell us about this organization, what is african development foundation? Thank you.
Lloyd Pierson: A significant amount of work was done in the United States, in Kenya, and in most of Africa in trying to organize and make the Forum successful, which I think it was. Kenya was an excellent host country and both President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga attended and gave well received addresses. In addition, a large number of Kenya government officials and non-government representatives, including the private sector, were in attendance and the simultaneous product trade fair was well organized and well attended. At this time, we have not seen the final document from the African Ministers Consultative Group, but the Kenyan Minister summarized the recommendations at the conclusion of the Forum. I am sure the final document will address the many challenges of AGOA and supply side constraints that exist, as well as how both Africa and the United States can continue working together to achieve more trade and investment success.
Lloyd Pierson: As with many conferences of this nature, the success is not always immediate and not always in the formal sessions, but the ability to network with other officials and representatives, including the private sector and civil society, becomes exceedingly important. I was in Nairobi along with three of the Foundation's Board members and we were very active in meeting with government officials and others who were in attendance. There were many requests for assistance from the United States African Development Foundation and depending on the resources available to us, all are of great interest to us.
Lloyd Pierson: “We believe in Africa's promise. We are committed to Africa's future. And we will be partners with Africa's people." This is a quote from Secretary of State Clinton at the AGOA Forum.
peterchogudo: What solid engagement if any, has the American government had with Nigeria on AGOA
Lloyd Pierson: Nigeria is an extremely important country to the United States and engagement has been very aggressive and continuing. I will ask the Office of the United States Trade Representative to follow up in more detail, but in the past year alone U.S. oil imports from Nigeria grew by 16.2 percent The United States has an outstanding Ambassador to Nigeria and extremely competent individuals working with the United States Agency for International Development, and a very active trade hub based in Accra, Ghana but closely working with Nigerians.
Lloyd Pierson: Our own organization, the United States African Development Foundation, has programs in Kano, Kaduna and in Bauchi State. We have discussions virtually on a daily basis with Nigerians on how we can improve our programs and create additional jobs.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Here is a link to the U.S. African Development Foundation: http://www.adf.gov/
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): It looks like a few new participants have joined us. If you'd like to introduce yourself to our chat group, please do so. I'm Mark, one of the CO.NX moderators here in Washington, D.C. where it is a rainy Wednesday morning.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Thank you for your patience, Mr. Pierson continues to work on answers to your questions.
Elizabeth Akinbulumo: Is it possible for Joy Usman to have the addresses of the United States African Development Foundation in Kano, Kaduna, and Bauchi
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Here is the contact info: Mr. Tom Coogan, Regional Program Director, USADF, 4th Floor16C, Murtala Mohammed WayKano 700001 Nigeria Email: tcoogan@usadf.gov
Joy Usman: this is joy, from my reasearch so far I have come to understand that AGOG is not really connecting with Nigerians and alot of people over here do not know how to key in and bensfit from it, could this be a problem from Nigeria or much awarenes are not created by the oranganisation
Lloyd Pierson: You have identified an area in which we all need to make improvements. AGOA is a great opportunity for both Africans and Americans to join in a trade and investment ... jobs ... partnership, but the challenge is to make sure there is a widespread understand of what can and cannot be accomplished. Both Africans and the U.S. must fully appreciate the importance of trade for Africa's economic development and there must be national and regional strategies developed and executed to build African productive capacity in key sectors. I believe AGOA has been underutilized and one of the challenges we face both in the U.S. and in Africa is how do we make it more successful. I believe there is a mutual commitment to do that and your comments are very helpful in addressing a communication problem.
peterchogudo: hello mark, my name is peter chogudo chatting from the IRC Abuja. its a bright sunny afternoon in abuja nigeria
Lloyd Pierson: Hi Peter
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Peter! Join us on CO.NX for more webchats on various topics: http://co-nx.state.gov or write to conx@state.gov
gbenga oyekanmi: gbenga oyekanmi is just joining from Abuja
Kayode Samson Ajayi: Its unfortunate that I could not upload pictures, I was in Osun State, Ada/Agba Community to be precise on a Reality Show as one of the Producers. We witnessed a larger part of the Women in that community engaged in the production of Palm Oil. The business is a potentential business but the amazing thing is there is no assistance for the people in these communities to modernize the production and increase output. I believe if AGOA in a way could assist such communities a whole lots of jobs would be created and the hygiene level of the production would be made better. What do you think about this. Its just one of such areas that needed attention in Nigeria food production.
TIMOTHY IHEMADU: There is an urgent need to make food production a vital agenda. To achieve this investment in mechanised agriculture and the provision of storage facility is absolutely necessary. It is only a people that can feed themselves that can also refuse to be bought and not be vulnerable to corruption. I have resolved to go into the agric sector very soon when I get the funds. How can foreign governments assist in this area to make agriculture more attractive than it is now?
Lloyd Pierson:The Administration of President Obama has already announced that food security in Africa is one of his major priorities in Africa. Much of Africa remains subsistence agriculture, but our own organization, the United States African Development Foundation, has shown how individuals and communities at the grassroots level can increase their food production and contribute products both regionally and internationally. We have assisted in Mango's from Tanzania going to the Middle East, onions from Niger being sold regionally, cashews exported to Europe and the United States. During the coming months, you will see an increasing emphasis placed on food security and more assistance being available. The assistance, however, is not a gift but a catalyst to help increase food production, income, and social benefits.
Koevogui Dianka: How many country are members of AGOA?
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): There are 41 AGOA Eligible countries.
PAS LAGOS: Adekunle Segun joining from the IRC Lagos
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome!
peterchogudo: which goods are preferred by Americans under AGOA
Lloyd Pierson: At the present time, by far, the major export from Africa to the United States is petroleum and petroleum related products, but their is a great interest in a wide variety of other products, including apparel and textiles. Products must be in sufficient quantity and quality to be exported. The range of products is very varied. We have seen great success from Gahaya Links (widows of genocide) in Rwanda exporting handicrafts to the United States. They have sold over 35,000 baskets to Macy's. Maisi women have sold ornaments to Hallmark.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark):Many of you have questions specific to your regions. Details about AGOA can be found here: http://www.agoa.gov/resources/US_African_Trade_Profile_2009.pdf and here: http://www.agoa.gov/
Kayode Samson Ajayi: How much can AGOA put into developing food production in Nigeria, putting into consideration the abundance in food production in Nigeria
Lloyd Pierson: There are great opportunities in Nigeria, but food security needs to be increased. In our own situation, the United States African Development Foundation has entered into an agreement with Bauchi State to help increase food security there and assist in the provision of job creation and social benefits. One of the benefits of the Foundation's model is that wherever possible, we leverage U.S. funds with local funds, that means that financial assistance provided by the U.S. taxpayer can be doubled and that the U.S. is in partnership with the local government to help citizens in their area. We are very happy with our results oriented work in Nigeria and the cooperation and assistance that we mutually give. Food security is a priority for the Administration of President Obama and given the importance of Nigeria in Africa and throughout the world, I am sure that much more will be done.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Some of you asked about our poll results. Let's see the results.
Cyril Oleh 2: Representative enough.
Lloyd Pierson: We have come to the conclusion of our official time, but I will continue to respond to questions asked by our worldwide audience. Your questions have been excellent and challenging and it has been a pleasure for me to participate. For those who have asked questions of a more technical nature, I will ask specialists in the United States to provide an answer. In the meantime, I will be happy to hear from you on the official United States African Development Foundation website and my e-mail address, which is lpierson@usadf.gov. Thanks very much for participating.
Lloyd Pierson: For further information on USADF please check out http://www.adf.gov/index.html. You can also contact Jennifer DeSimone at USADF Washington with more questions at jdesimone@usadf.gov.
Elizabeth Akinbulumo: Very interesting, thanks
peterchogudo 2:its been a pleasure chatting with you lloyd
Cyril Oleh 2:Bye, you were terrific
gbenga oyekanmi: when do we have you again?
Joy Usman:its been a pleasure and very educative
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Everyone we're so glad you joined us. It looks like we need to schedule more chats on this important topic!
PAS LAGOS:henry/pas.lagos: it has been nice chatting with you bye
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Thank you so much for your time, Lloyd! And thanks to you all for joining us from Africa today.
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): IRC teams, if you have photos of your guests, please send to the CO.NX team at conx@state.gov
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): Please contact Lloyd or Jennifer if you have more questions. In the meantime please join us on facebook at http://co-nx.state.gov to continue this discussion. We welcome your feedback.
Kayode Samson Ajayi:okay
peterchogudo 2:thanks
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): What other topics might you like to discuss? Feel free to also email us at conx@state.gov
Kayode Samson Ajayi:Its nice talking to you.
CO.NX Moderator (Kristin): This chat is now closed. Thanks again for joining us! We look forward to seeing you next time. Watch our facebook page for upcoming events.
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