USNC executive director, Pence, appointed to U.S TACA

The United States Nigeria Council (USNC), a business organization dedicated to deepening commercial ties between the U.S. and Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Eliot Pence to the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA) by the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador, Robert E. Lighthizer.

Pence has served as the Executive Director of USNC since its creation in 2016.

The Trade Advisory Committee on Africa provides the U.S. Trade Representative with policy advice on issues involving trade and development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pence, however, joined twenty-one members of the committee in advising Ambassador Lighthizer on trade between U.S. and Nigeria.

Speaking on his appointment, Pence said: “I’m look forward to joining the TACA and hope to bring a focus on young entrepreneurs and technology. The USNC was established to build joint ventures between corporates and entrepreneurs because we see the future of U.S.-Africa commercial relations defined by a shared vision of the importance of entrepreneurship to development and growth.

Amazing companies and ventures are being built in every sector – from Resource Energy in spreading solar power systems, PayLater and Paga in promoting mobile fintech, Cars45 in building online marketplace platforms, Riby in enabling and enhancing cooperative financing and Superfluid Labs in leveraging big data.

There are so many opportunities for global investors and corporates, but these entrepreneurs and the approaches that they’re taking to building sustainable businesses are also relevant for the U.S. government as it revisits its approach to development, partnership, and the majority world.”

In addition to his role as the Executive Director of USNC, he serves as the Senior Director of the Africa practice at McLarty Associates, a global corporate advisory firm.

He is also the co-founder of Insider PR and Union House, a “crash pad” for entrepreneurs in Washington, DC.

Pence is a board member of the African Leadership Network and Liliesleaf Trust and a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.