Government operations and workforce · Advisory committees

Executive Order 13675: Establishing the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa

President: Barack Obama

Created a private-sector advisory council on expanding US trade, investment and commercial engagement across Africa.

Status: Completed/expired. Is Executive Order 13675 still in effect? No. Executive Order 13675 is completed or expired. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13675 do?

EO 13675 directed the Commerce Secretary to create the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, drawing members from US businesses of different sizes, sectors and regions. Four council terms have produced recommendations. The fourth adopted a ten-year review on December 13, 2024. Commerce currently says the charter is under review, so the site should not describe a fifth term or an active meeting schedule as confirmed.

Administration position: The council is advisory and does not award contracts, guarantee market access, set tariffs or speak for African governments.
SignedAugust 5, 2014
Administrative homeDepartment of Commerce
Latest completed term2022–2024

Before and after

Before the order

US-Africa commercial policy lacked a standing presidential advisory council drawn broadly from American business.

After the order

Successive council terms delivered sector and country recommendations to Commerce and the President.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Council membersDevelop reports and recommendationsBetween charter terms
Commerce DepartmentSelect members administer FACA and respondCharter review
US businessesUse general Commerce export servicesContinuing

What happened next

EO 13675 directed the council’s creation.

The fourth term adopted its ten-year review.