BY NATHAN GUMA
THE 2026 U.S.-Africa Business Summit, one of the largest platforms for trade and investment engagement between Africa and the United States, has been postponed due to concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
This comes at a time when more than 2,500 participants, including African Heads of State, government ministers, senior United States government officials and business leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, were supposed to meet in Mauritius next month.
The decision has been announced jointly by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Government of Mauritius following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Mauritius Ministry of Health.
According to the organisers, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, citing rising infections, cross-border transmission and uncertainty surrounding the scale of the outbreak.
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit serves as a key forum for promoting trade, investment and commercial partnerships between African countries and the United States, providing a platform for governments, investors and companies to discuss business opportunities, strengthen economic cooperation and advance development initiatives across the continent.
With thousands of delegates expected to attend, organisers said proceeding with the event under current public health conditions would not be responsible.
Mauritius, which relies heavily on international travel and tourism, also faces particular vulnerabilities associated with imported infectious diseases, making precautionary measures necessary.
“The safety and well-being of every delegate, leader and participant is our highest priority,” said CCA President Florie Liser.
She said the decision had been difficult because the summit was expected to attract an unprecedented level of participation from African leaders, senior U.S. government officials and private sector executives.
“This was not an easy decision. The Summit was shaping up to be among the most consequential in its history, with extraordinary participation from African Heads of State and senior U.S. government officials, as well as U.S. and African business leaders. But it was the right decision,” Liser said.
Mauritius said it remained committed to hosting the event once conditions permit.
“Mauritius remains fully committed to its partnership with CCA and to the mission of deepening U.S.-Africa economic ties,” said Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Dhananjay Ramful.
“We are proud to remain a co-host of this Summit and will work closely with CCA to identify the right moment to welcome Summit participants to our shores,” he added.
Organisers emphasised that the summit has been postponed rather than cancelled and said efforts are already underway to identify alternative dates.
They said registered participants, sponsors and partners will receive further information once a new schedule has been agreed.
Despite the delay, organisers said they remain committed to delivering the high-level engagements and business outcomes that have made the U.S.-Africa Business Summit a leading platform for strengthening economic relations between Africa and the United States. – IOW Data.
