Exploring Investment Opportunities in the DR Congo and Beyond.
October 15-16, 2026
Holiday Inn Express, 2000 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, Virginia 23230 USA
Event Overview
Gateway to Africa is a high-level international business forum bringing together government officials, investors, business leaders, and members of the African diaspora to explore strategic investment opportunities across Africa—particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The event will feature keynote addresses, diplomatic briefings, and expert panel discussions focused on unlocking partnerships in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, natural resources, and technology.
Beyond large-scale investment, Gateway to Africa is intentionally designed to create inclusive economic pathways by empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and underrepresented entrepreneurs to participate in global markets. The forum will highlight practical entry points for small-owned businesses, including access to partnerships, supplier opportunities, and cross-border collaboration.
A central pillar of the event is the advancement of Black women in business, recognizing their critical role in driving innovation, community development, and economic growth. Through dedicated programming, the forum will:
- Promote access to capital, mentorship, and corporate opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs
- Facilitate cross-continental partnerships between women-led businesses in the United States and Africa
- Showcase successful women leaders and entrepreneurs as role models and catalysts for global engagement
By bridging large-scale investment with grassroots entrepreneurship, Gateway to Africa aims to foster a more equitable, dynamic, and sustainable economic ecosystem—connecting U.S. and African markets while ensuring that diaspora communities, women leaders, and small businesses are active participants in shaping the future of global trade and investment.
Key Access/Value
Key government officials from selected African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as high-level entrepreneurs, will be present to introduce participants to key investment opportunities across priority sectors such as mining and natural resources, energy and power, infrastructure and construction, agriculture and agribusiness, technology and digital innovation, and manufacturing. Through direct engagement with decision-makers and industry leaders, attendees will gain valuable insights into the business environment, explore potential partnerships, and better understand the pathways for investing and operating in DR Congo and beyond.
Startegic Opportunities/ Why Virginia
With the recent partnership agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Virginia-based companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a unique opportunity to expand their operations into one of Africa’s most resource-rich and strategically important markets. This moment presents a timely opening for U.S. businesses to position themselves, compete with other global actors already operating in the region, and build long-term partnerships.
Virginia’s dynamic diaspora communities create natural bridges for cultural understanding, trust-building, and business collaboration. These connections make Virginia an ideal starting point for building sustainable partnerships with African markets, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Event Highlights
- Investment Panels
- Business Networking Sessions
- Government & Private Sector Engagement
- Partnership & Deal Opportunities
Speakers
High-level speakers, including government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States, will be announced soon
Agenda
Register Now
Sponsorship Opportunities
