Secretary Kimberly Bassett’s Remarks at Experience Africa 2024: Celebrating Africa’s Innovation and Strengthening Global Ties

At the vibrant and highly anticipated Experience Africa 2024 event, Secretary Kimberly Bassett, representing the District of Columbia on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, delivered powerful remarks highlighting the significance of Africa’s thriving economic and cultural presence on the world stage. Taking the stage to welcome the diverse and distinguished audience, Secretary Bassett expressed her gratitude to ambassadors, dignitaries, and esteemed guests, and gave a special acknowledgment to key members of the Bowser administration, including Aly Kaba, Director of the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, and Anthony Andrews, Director of Protocol and International Affairs.

Secretary Bassett took a moment to celebrate Kadmiel Van Der Puije, CEO of The Voice of Africa (TVOA), and his brother Kemuel Van Der Puije, COO of TVOA, for their exceptional leadership in orchestrating Experience Africa 2024. Their dedication has brought this impactful pan-African event to the heart of Washington, D.C., for the second consecutive year, making it a central platform for showcasing the rich culture, rapid economic growth, and innovation that Africa offers the global community. “It is inspiring to see the Van Der Puije brothers using their platform to celebrate and amplify Africa’s contributions globally while fostering meaningful connections here in the District,” Bassett remarked.

Highlighting Africa’s potential, Bassett emphasized the youthful energy of the continent: “With a median age of 19.7 years, Africa is positioned as a vital player on the global stage,” she noted. She also praised Experience Africa 2024 for focusing on Africa’s thriving industries, including advancements in technology, infrastructure development, and cultural innovation. “The theme of this year’s Experience Africa event, A Thriving Africa, is truly inspiring because Africa is indeed thriving,” Bassett proclaimed, reinforcing that both Africa and the District of Columbia are committed to achieving shared goals of growth and prosperity.

Moreover, she underlined the importance of Washington, D.C., as a global city and its role as home to 188 embassies, including the Embassy of the African Union, and a robust African diaspora of over 16,000 residents. “We value our strong relationships with our international communities, especially the African diaspora that enriches the cultural and social fabric of our city,” she stated. Bassett went on to express pride in D.C.’s Sister City relationships with several African nations, emphasizing that the city is eager to collaborate further and support African initiatives.

As Experience Africa continues to grow, Secretary Bassett expressed her confidence in the continued success of the Van Der Puije brothers and their team at The Voice of Africa. “We look forward to our ongoing dialogue, learning from each other, and building together toward a brighter future.”

Her remarks encapsulated the spirit of the event, recognizing Africa’s bright future, the city’s pride in its African connections, and the visionary leadership behind Experience Africa 2024. In celebrating Kadmiel and Kemuel’s impactful work, she left the audience with a strong sense of optimism for the continued partnership between D.C. and the African continent.