Reta Jo Lewis

President and Chair Export - Import Bank of the United States

On February 16, 2022, Reta Jo Lewis was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as President and Chair of EXIM’s Board of Directors. Lewis is a senior executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in international affairs, law, business, and public policy. Previously, Lewis was Senior Fellow and Director of Congressional Affairs at the German Marshall Fund of the United States where she led diplomacy initiatives and bipartisan exchanges for members of Congress and European legislators. Prior to GMF, she served at the State Department under Secretary Hillary Clinton as the first Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, building strategic relationships between international, national, state, and local leaders. In 2013, she received the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award.

Lewis was the first Black woman officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, working as Vice President and Counselor to the President. She led the Chamber’s strategic alliances between small businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives. She is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Board Member of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security.

A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Lewis received a J.D. from Emory University, M.S.A.J. from American University, and B.A. from the University of Georgia.

2024 Agenda Sessions

Enhancing local value – developing Africa’s infrastructure to advance the mineral chain

•   In what ways do current infrastructure limitations across the continent limit investment into mining projects? Is enough being done at the policy level to address this?
•   What are the critical transport and energy investments needed for Southern African producers to fully exploit their minerals?
•   How can investment initiatives, such as the Lobito Corridor, boost access to new mining opportunities, whilst also catalysing both mineral and economic growth?
•   How can African institutions serve as the proactive drivers for similar initiatives for developing viable investment corridors across the continent?

Tuesday 06 February 09:05 - 09:45 Governments Stage

Intergovernmental Summit

Add to calendar 02/06/2024 09:05 02/06/2024 09:45 Enhancing local value – developing Africa’s infrastructure to advance the mineral chain •   In what ways do current infrastructure limitations across the continent limit investment into mining projects? Is enough being done at the policy level to address this?
•   What are the critical transport and energy investments needed for Southern African producers to fully exploit their minerals?
•   How can investment initiatives, such as the Lobito Corridor, boost access to new mining opportunities, whilst also catalysing both mineral and economic growth?
•   How can African institutions serve as the proactive drivers for similar initiatives for developing viable investment corridors across the continent? Governments Stage Africa/Johannesburg

Critical Minerals, Decarbonisation, Infrastructure and Geopolitics: Is Africa on the Right Path to

A scramble for Africa’s vast mineral wealth is underway. From coal to cobalt, developed and developing economies alike are competing for the continent’s critical minerals to feed their economies. Some African countries have built sophisticated economies around their mining industry, while others are subject to the “resource curse” - and not everyone affected by the mining ecosystem ends up benefiting from it.

Join us as we debate whether Africa is on a path to better maximise the value of its mineral wealth, and what more should or could be done; and who really benefits?

Thursday 08 February 11:40 - 12:20 Disruptors Stage

Young Leaders

Add to calendar 02/08/2024 11:40 02/08/2024 12:20 Critical Minerals, Decarbonisation, Infrastructure and Geopolitics: Is Africa on the Right Path to

Disruptors Stage Africa/Johannesburg

BACK TO ALL SPEAKERS