The 18th U.S.-Africa Business Summit is set to take place from December 6-9, 2026, in Mauritius. The event will bring together high-level government officials, business leaders, and investors from the United States and Africa. To prepare for the summit, significant renovation and redevelopment works are currently underway at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC). The works include upgrading the infrastructure to accommodate the influx of participants.
A site visit was conducted on November 5, 2026, by several officials to assess the progress of the works. Representatives from Landscope Mauritius, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), SVICC technicians, and other stakeholders were present to review the latest developments. According to Rajen Seetohul, CEO of Landscope Mauritius Ltd, the goal is to have suitable infrastructure for the various summit activities. The centre will host plenary sessions in its main hall and several breakout sessions in other rooms.
The renovation works include replacing the old elevators, which had been experiencing operational issues, and improving the acoustics in the main hall. The parking and access areas have also been revamped to facilitate the movement of participants. Rajen Seetohul emphasized that the team is working diligently to ensure that the conference takes place in the best possible conditions. A committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary is overseeing the preparations and monitoring the progress.
The CEO expressed confidence in meeting the deadline for completion, which is set for November 15, 2026. He noted that if any minor adjustments are needed, they will be made. Temporary structures, such as tents and marquees, will be installed outside the SVICC to accommodate exhibition spaces. The 18th summit is a significant economic event for Mauritius, following the previous edition, which generated over $4 billion in business deals.
The previous summit brought together 12 African heads of state and government, 41 ministers, and over 2,800 participants. This year's event will focus on financial services, information technology, renewable energy, blue economy, manufacturing, and tourism. The summit aims to promote trade and investment opportunities between the United States and Africa. The event is expected to attract high-level government officials, business leaders, and investors.
The Mauritian government is committed to ensuring the success of the summit. The preparations involve various stakeholders, including Landscope Mauritius, the PMO, and SVICC technicians. The renovation works at the SVICC are a crucial aspect of the preparations, as the centre will host the majority of the summit's activities.
With the summit just a month away, the authorities are working to finalize the preparations. The event is expected to have a significant impact on Mauritius, promoting economic growth and development. The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is a key platform for fostering economic cooperation between the United States and Africa.
Key points
- The 18th U.S.-Africa Business Summit will take place from December 6-9, 2026, in Mauritius.
- Renovation works are underway at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre to accommodate the summit.
- The summit aims to promote trade and investment opportunities between the United States and Africa.
