The 2026 US–Africa Business Summit, scheduled to take place in Mauritius, has been postponed following growing concerns over an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, organisers have announced, citing guidance from global and national health authorities.
The summit, jointly organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Government of Mauritius, had been planned for July 26–29 and was expected to draw more than 2,500 participants, including African heads of state, senior US officials and private sector leaders from across both continents.
According to organisers, the decision follows the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of the ongoing Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 17. WHO cited rising case numbers, cross-border transmission risks and uncertainty over the outbreak’s scale as key factors in its assessment.
The outbreak has so far caused more than 450 confirmed infections and 82 deaths, with health workers warning that the virus may still be spreading undetected in parts of the country. In neighbouring Uganda, at least 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported.
According to organisers, the scale of the summit, combined with Mauritius’ status as an island nation with limited capacity to manage large-scale imported health risks, made proceeding with the event untenable at this time.
“The safety and well-being of every delegate, leader, and participant is our highest priority. This was not an easy decision, but it was the right decision,” said CCA President Florie Liser on Friday.
On his part, Mauritius’ Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful reaffirmed the country’s support for the Summit despite its postponement, noting that the government would work closely with partners to determine an appropriate new date for the gathering.
“Mauritius remains fully committed to its partnership with CCA and to the mission of deepening US–Africa economic ties. We are proud to remain co-host of this Summit and will work closely with CCA to identify the right moment to welcome Summit participants to our shores,” Ramful said.
The suspension came on the same day Mauritius introduced a temporary entry ban on foreign nationals who had recently been in, transited through, or stayed in the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan within the past 21 days, amid concerns over the outbreak.
“Mauritian nationals and foreign nationals holding a valid work, residence or occupation permit or business and student visa who have travelled from, transited through or been present in the three countries within the preceding 21 days will be allowed entry subject to completion of a mandatory quarantine for a period of 21 days on arrival,” the country’s Cabinet said in a statement.
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