Atlanta City Council recognized on June 4 the importance of building business relationships between Africa and Atlanta during a ceremony on the steps of the Georgia Capitol that drew more than 40 local officials and supporters.

As part of the fifth annual Africa Day celebration, sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation, the council offered a proclamation signed by all its members praising the efforts of the foundation and acknowledging future opportunities on the continent.

Under the leadership of chairman and CEO, Tunde Adetunji, the foundation organizes the celebration every year to inform people on business opportunities in Africa.

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10,000 jobs could be headed to the southside

Mon, 10/15/2007 – 8:58am
By: Ben Nelms
It is being billed as the first of its kind in the world. And it is coming to south Fulton County. A sweeping project sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation, Inc. will feature a variety of economic, educational and nation-specific venues across portions south Fulton. The five-year project beginning in fall 2009 will contain multiple sites and venues constructed at a cost of $4-10 billion and provide a minimum of 10,000 jobs.

The African Village Project will represent the African continent and its 54 nations on a site totaling more than 500 acres in locations across south Fulton, said Commissioner Bill Edwards. The intent of the multi-functional state-of-the-art facility will be to promote and showcase international tourism, global trade and cultural education. With each nation allowed up to 10 acres to replicate their country, the project will provide the opportunity to develop creative reciprocal trade, commerce, cultural exchange and skills and technology transfer with other nations.

Among the elements to be included in the extensive project are a World Games Village and Amusement Park, International Regional Visitor’s Center, World Expo, Consular and Protocol Resource Center along with an education research center, vocational center, theater and convention center, world news and media center, museum and galleries.

“This project is exciting for south Fulton in so many ways. It’s a wonderful thing and we’re glad to have it,” Edwards said. “This is an opportunity to understand other societies and protocols and an opportunity to understand Africa.”

The facility will showcase the nations of Africa, Edwards said, and will be the first of its kind in the world. Selection of the lead architectural firm will be announced Oct. 27 at the U.S./Africa Economic Development Conference at Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). With some of the conceptual site plans available at the end of 2007 and the final site selection expected to be finalized in spring 2008, project construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2009 and continue over a five-year period. At its completion, the African Village Project will represent a $4-10 billion investment and is expected to create at least 10,000 jobs.

Representing the Development Authority of Fulton County, executive director Dr. C. Clayton Powell noted the upcoming conference at GICC, citing the impact of the far-reaching project and its inclusion in the historically overlooked landscape of south Fulton County.

“We are very happy about this. That’s why the development authority is a supporter and sponsor,” said Powell. “This can be a great avenue for south Fulton to become a noted area. The Development Authority of Fulton County has been working to change the view towards south Fulton. I believe this will be a beginning.”

The African Heritage Foundation was established in Atlanta after the 1996 Olympics. Competitors for the African Village Project included China and other cities in the United States, such as Orlando, New York, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.

“This is an exciting effort for south Fulton in light of everything we’ve gone through in the past several months,” Edwards said. “We here in south Fulton feel like we’re a phoenix rising from the ashes.”

The City of Atlanta to Host a Ten Billion Dollar African Village Project.

September 28th, 2007

International Conference and Investment Expo

“Bridging the Gap and Building the Bridge”

At the press conference on the forthcoming, US Africa International Conference and Investments EXPO, Bridging the Gap and Building the Bridge, held at a Fulton County Facility on Camp Creek Parkway on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007. The President and Founder of the Africa Heritage Foundation, Chief Tunde Adetunji declared the investment of the African Village, coming to the State of Georgia, in South Fulton County, to be one of the award winning , biggest investments of the centuries that will create numerous business and job opportunities, for both Africa and the United States, indigent alike .

This project will approximately cost over ten billion dollars, when fully completed, and will take the State of Georgia and the African Nations to the Zenith of economic prosperity of the world. The CEO of the Africa Heritage Foundation predicted as far back as 1996, that the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia would serve as a gateway of Africa potentials to the United States of America. Workings towards this realization since 1996 Olympics the dream materialized in 2007, when the African Union endorsed and confined it’s reality to the City of Atlanta and Fulton County in particular.

The African Village will sit on approximately 540 acres of land; which will be constructed and designed as a full demographic, of the entire continent of Africa. It is reputed for investment opportunity, research center, tourism arcade, educational institution, science technology development center, world conference center, amusement and entertainment center, film industry and archaeological research center, international games center that will host the World Cup Series and the Olympics, International Golf Course diplomatic facilities and consular activities ,theaters, museums park and recreational facilities. This tourism pyramid will be design as a complete configuration of Africa and each of its fifty four countries. The Africa Village will generate ten billion dollars in revenue every year; with numerous job opportunities, for all nations of the world and Africa alike.

Honorable Commissioner Bill Edwards of Fulton County who hosted the press conference was extremely enthusiastic by the opportunity presented by Chief Tunde Adetunji a native of Nigeria. He stated that Fulton County would remain committed and supportive to this project, and would seize this opportunity to maintain strong ties with the African Nations.

Hon. Commissioner Edwards also confirmed that his roots lay in the Nomadic Fulani Tribe of Northern Nigeria. Comm. Edwards made a plea to every individual and Corporation to jointly support this project. He also made a passionate appeal to business in Georgia to participate and collaborate with the City of Atlanta and Fulton County on the forthcoming Bridging the Gap and Building the Bridge Conference, scheduled for October 26th and 27th 2007 at Kennesaw State University.

The Founder of the Africa World Museum and The African Heritage Foundation, Chief Tunde Adetunji whose total desire has always been on the unity of Africa as well as the understanding of the Diaspora is totally committed and dedicated to both the dignity , pride and economic empowerment of the black race. In addition, Chief Tunde Adetunji presented the US Africa Logo at the conference, which the Hon. Commissioner Edwards launched for the generality of the people.

The press conference also witnessed the attendance of the Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta Georgia, who was represented by his personal assistant Consul cob ham.He was very enthusiastic by Chief Adetunji inspiring vision and noted the significant value the project would bring to both Africa and United States. Reiterating his vision on African Unity, he emphasized that the world should embrace Africa’s numerous potential and recognize its contribution to the Global Economy.

Mr. Joe Beasley a civil rights activist and Director of the Rain bow push Collation also praised the efforts of the Africa Heritage Foundation for bringing this gigantic project to the City of Atlanta. He implored people and organization to support this project in every way possible.

Chief Adetunji also applauded the success of the African Union under the able leadership of Alpha Omar Konare, as well as the visionary leadership of both the permanent representative of Africa union in united states ,Hon Amb Salum Ali as the chief of staff of the commission who endorsed the project early this year.

He also described the partnership and relationship between his organization, the Africa Heritage Foundation and the Africa Union as God designed for a purpose. The Atlanta project will be the first of the six African projects, and the remaining five will be located in each of the five regions of the African countries.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the Representative of congressman John Lewis, Iman Plemin’s assistant, the Fulton County Economic Directors, Development Architect Olu Olatidoye of Clark Atlanta university , Representatives of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, CITN and The City of Atlanta.

Ms. Karen Clarke,

Project Coordinator,