Tumwater, Wash. — Olowo-n’djo Tchala, founder and CEO of Alaffia, has been appointed by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to serve a four-year term as a member of the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA). The committee provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy and development matters that have a significant impact on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

 

The TACA also facilitates the goals and objectives of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and assists in maintaining ongoing discussions with sub-Saharan Africa trade and agriculture ministries and private-sector organizations on issues of mutual concern. TACA was authorized by the Trade Act of 1974.

 

The committee is currently composed of 22 members who have expertise in general trade, investment, and development issues and specific knowledge of U.S.-Africa trade. Members of the committee represent industry, organized labor, investment, agriculture, services, non-profit development organizations, academia, and small business.

 

Tchala hosted Ambassador Lighthizer at Alaffia’s cultural center in Lomé, Togo last August during the AGOA conference in Togo. U.S. Ambassador to Togo David Gilmour and Acting Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Donald Yamamoto, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, also visited Alaffia’s headquarters located in Tumwater, Washington in April, 2017 and March, 2018, respectively.

 

“It is an honor to serve alongside other TACA members to help thoughtfully guide U.S. trade policy related to sub-Saharan Africa,” said Tchala. “Trade between the U.S. and Africa is vital to helping people on both continents rise up out of poverty through fair private enterprise, something we work on every day at Alaffia.”