Black & Veatch Joins Largest-Ever U.S.-led Trade Mission to Africa | Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch Joins Largest-Ever U.S.-led Trade Mission to Africa

Black & Veatch is one of more than 100 U.S. companies to have participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce-led Trade Winds—Africa trade mission and business forum. Trade Winds—Africa is the largest-ever U.S. government-led trade mission to Africa.

“Africa presents an incredible opportunity for global U.S. companies,” said Regional Senior U.S. Commercial Officer Donald Nay, the highest-ranking commercial diplomat in Sub-Saharan Africa“We are excited to bring these companies to the continent, connect them to promising opportunities, and get them on the right path to success.”

Trade Winds is a business forum and series of business-to-business meetings in Johannesburg, South Africa, plus seven optional trade mission stops in Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania. At each mission stop, attending companies meet directly with government leaders, market experts, and pre-vetted potential business partners in the region.

Black & Veatch South Africa, the recently established local entity of U.S. parent company Black & Veatch is participating in the business forum and mission stops in Ghana, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Black & Veatch, a global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) leader providing energy, water, and telecommunications solutions, last month announced the creation of its local entity, Black & Veatch South Africa to service the Sub-Saharan African region.

Karen Daniel, Black & Veatch’s Chief Financial Officer noted the company is focused on its growth prospects across Africa. This is reflected in the role she plays on U.S. President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council for Doing Business in Africa. It is also a key reason the company is part of the lobby for improving infrastructure on the continent.

“Black & Veatch has been developing world class infrastructure projects in Africa for more than 50 years,” said Daniel, who also serves as Executive Sponsor of Black & Veatch’s Sub-Saharan Africa growth plan.

“Never before has there been so much opportunity to leverage global interest in the region with enhanced project delivery. Though the infrastructure needs of the continent are significant it is in meeting these needs that Africa will unlock the potential of its people.”

Karen Daniel, Black & Veatch’s Chief Financial Officer

Sub-Saharan Africa is a promising market for U.S. exporters. It is home to six of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world and has a rapidly growing middle class.

Trade Winds is an important part of the United States’ Doing Business in Africa campaign, under which the government has committed billions of dollars to development initiatives in Africa, and has facilitated billions more in U.S.-Africa business deals.

Editor’s Notes:

  • Black & Veatch has been planning and implementing world-class infrastructure projects in Africa for more than 50 years.
  • Black & Veatch recently announced the creation of a new South African entity, Black & Veatch South Africa, Headquartered in Johannesburg, the new local subsidiary reflects Black & Veatch’s commitment to providing reliable infrastructure solutions to improve lives in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Black & Veatch completed Ghana’s first IPP simple cycle EPC project supported by US investment. The Takoradi Power Facility provides electricity to address the country’s residential and industrial power needs, offsetting electricity shortages due to periodic drought conditions.  
  • Black & Veatch is currently supporting a 4,800 MW supercritical coal-fired power mega project in South Africa. It is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects under construction in the world, supported by a comprehensive skills and knowledge transfer program. Once completed, the project will provide reliable electricity for South Africa well into the future.
  • Black & Veatch supported the development and design of the Sere Wind Energy Project in Western Cape South Africa.
  • Black & Veatch has launched a global technology center based in Johannesburg that will provide support to consulting and technology projects around the world.

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About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2018 were US$3.5 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.

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