Rosa Whitaker is the President and CEO of The Whitaker Group, renowned as a visionary, entrepreneur, and former US government policy leader.
With a distinguished career spanning diplomacy, trade negotiation, and business advocacy, she has been instrumental in driving investments into Africa.
Notably, she made history as America’s first Assistant US Trade Representative, serving in both the Clinton and Bush administrations. Her expertise and influence in African trade and business engagement have earned her recognition as one of Foreign Policy magazine’s Top 100 Global Thinkers.
During her tenure as Senior Trade Advisor to US Congressman Charlie Rangel, Rosa played a pivotal role in crafting the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a landmark trade legislation signed into law in 2000. AGOA remains pivotal to US-Africa economic relations, facilitating billions of dollars in duty-free imports from Africa into the US annually and spurring job creation and investment across the continent.
Beyond policy, Rosa has actively promoted US and global investment in Africa. Under her leadership, The Whitaker Group (TWG) made its first direct investment in the region by acquiring shares and management control of Dominion TV in 2017. Dominion TV, broadcasting across 48 African countries on DStv, exemplifies TWG’s commitment to supporting Africa’s creative economy.
A dedicated philanthropist, she served on the International Executive Board of Directors of Mercy Ships for over two decades, and from 2018 to 2021, she served as its President. Mercy Ships operates the world’s largest hospital ship, providing free surgeries and medical treatments valued at approximately $2 billion to economically vulnerable populations across Africa.
Rosa Whitaker is actively involved in several prestigious boards and advisory bodies, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) of Afreximbank, and the Business Advisory Board of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, and she is a sought-after commentator on Africa’s business landscape in US and global media.
She holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from The American University in Washington, DC, and has completed specialized studies at universities in London, Italy, and the US Foreign Service Institute. Rosa Whitaker continues to drive impactful change in US-Africa relations and global trade dynamics through her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication.
Congratulations!!
