🌍 Akwaba African Diaspora Festival: USA Economic Mission

November 17 – 21, 2025 | Philadelphia • Wilmington • Washington, D.C.

✨ Akwaba Overview

The Akwaba African Diaspora Festival: Economic Mission (USA Edition) is a five-day international initiative uniting African entrepreneurs, diaspora professionals, investors, artists, and U.S. institutions around one shared vision: to build a stronger, more connected trans-Atlantic ecosystem of trade, innovation, and cultural diplomacy.

After a successful inaugural edition in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the 2025 U.S. edition will convene delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, and beyond in three key American cities — Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Washington, D.C. — for a dynamic program of forums, site visits, roundtables, and cultural celebrations.

Africa’s economic rise and the global African diaspora represent one of the most powerful drivers of 21st-century opportunity. Yet, realizing that potential requires connection — between innovators and investors, governments and grassroots leaders, artists and advocates.

Akwaba (“welcome” in the Akan language) embodies that spirit of openness and collaboration.

This festival-mission exists to:

• Create lasting trade and investment linkages between African enterprises and U.S. markets.
• Empower diaspora networks as engines of innovation, job creation, and shared prosperity.
• Foster policy and cultural dialogue that advances inclusive growth and equitable partnerships.
• Celebrate African creativity and leadership as central to the global economy and cultural landscape.

🗓 Program Overview

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
• Site Visits – Africatown & Local Enterprises
• Business Development Forum

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
• Trade & Investment Forum
• Evening Dinner Reception

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 – WILMINGTON, DE
• Site Visits across Philadelphia & Delaware
• Regional Networking Meetings

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 – WASHINGTON, D.C.
• Diasporic Networking Lunch
• Client Dinner Exhibition (with herARTS in Action Showcase)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 – WASHINGTON, D.C.
• West Africa Trade Conference
• Closing Dinner Gala (Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire)

🤝 Partners & Sponsors

Lead Organizers:

• Update Consulting International (Côte d’Ivoire)
• RéseauLink LLC (USA)

Strategic Partners:

• herARTS in Action (USA)
• Oasis Policy Advisors
• Amai Travel Business
• Initiative for the Development of Africa
• FAMO

Institutional & Community Collaborators (in progress):
U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire · African Diaspora organizations · Local chambers of commerce · Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in the United States · Embassy of Benin in the United States

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Brand visibility · Panel sponsorship · Speaking slots · Media features · Exhibition tables

📧 Contact us: [email protected] | 📞 +1 (516) 725-6752

About your donations

herARTS in Action, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by artist Sarah Drake. Their award-winning projects and partnerships span the African continent and Diaspora to contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development, including education, employment, and health, for women and girls.