A group of 16 professionals from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zimbabwe along with four liaisons will be in Kalamazoo through the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Kalamazoo is a short stop on their trip, which also includes Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; Detroit and Pensacola, FL.

Their time in the U.S. will focus on the economic, political, and social factors that influence and encourage the development of small businesses, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the United States, as well as the impact of small businesses on the local, regional, national, and global economies.

They’ll also see the role of governmental and community organizations, public-private partnerships, universities, and corporations in incubating and supporting business creation and growth.

Their time in Kalamazoo is specifically focused on upskilling for young people and technology and entrepreneurship.