A3I is a U.S.-based company with a deep commitment to sustainable development across sub-Saharan Africa — unlocking the continent's vast natural resources while building lasting prosperity for the communities we serve.
"We believe Africa's greatest resource is its people — and our role is to create the conditions for them to thrive."
Dr. John Tra — CEO, Africa Investment Initiative
2024
FoundedWho We Are
Africa Investment Initiative, Inc. (A3I) is a U.S. C Corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We develop and operate multi-sector projects across sub-Saharan Africa, combining responsible resource development with genuine community investment.
Our work spans mineral extraction, regenerative agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, and community development. We don't just build businesses — we build futures, anchored in the belief that Africa's development should benefit African people first.
Through our affiliate Kweni Business Group, we also lead biomedical and humanitarian research across Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana, reflecting our founders' deep personal roots in the region.
Our Work
A3I operates across five complementary sectors designed to reinforce one another — mineral revenue funds infrastructure, infrastructure enables agriculture, agriculture sequesters carbon, and clean energy powers it all. Every sector serves the communities where we work.
Responsible gold and diamond mining across verified reserves in Bomi County, Liberia — including a 200,000-acre land concession. All operations follow rigorous international standards and community benefit agreements.
5,000-hectare polyculture farms growing rice, cassava, bamboo, and citrus — integrated with fish ponds, duck ranging, and carbon credit programs that reward sustainable land use.
Roads, water systems, healthcare facilities, and schools serving all five districts of Bomi County. We build the backbone that makes everything else possible — for businesses and communities alike.
A $24M health and education program, HBCU internship partnerships, local workforce training, and community relations — because lasting development is built with communities, not just for them.
Our Clean Carbon & Hydrogen Development Program uses proprietary technology to produce clean hydrogen and sequester carbon — positioning our operations at the frontier of Africa's green energy transition.
Our Footprint
From the mineral-rich hills of Liberia to the lithium corridors of Sierra Leone, A3I is building a pan-African platform grounded in each nation's unique strengths and opportunities.
Our largest presence — a 200,000-acre concession in Bomi County spanning five districts. Home to our gold and diamond mining operations, 5,000-hectare polyculture program, bamboo plantation, and HBCU internship initiative. The Bomi County Project Management Office coordinates all operations on the ground.
A formal Letter of Intent with the Sierra Leone government is in place, opening pathways for critical mineral extraction and coastal aquaculture development.
A3I maintains active operations in Angola as part of our broader Central and Southern Africa expansion strategy.
Operations in Chad reflect A3I's commitment to working in underserved markets with high development potential across the Sahel region.
Through our affiliate Kweni Business Group, we conduct biomedical research and regional development across Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana — reflecting our founders' deep cultural roots in the Marahoué region.
Community Impact
A3I was founded on a simple belief: that economic development in Africa must put African communities at the center. Every project we undertake includes binding commitments to local workforce employment, skills training, and community infrastructure.
Our HBCU–Africa Internship Program connects ten partner historically Black colleges and universities across the United States with six professional internship tracks on the ground in Liberia — building a new generation of African diaspora professionals with real-world experience.
Sustainability
A3I's approach to natural resource development is inseparable from our commitment to environmental sustainability. We pursue carbon credits, clean hydrogen, and regenerative agriculture not as add-ons — but as core business strategy.
Our Clean Carbon and Hydrogen Development Program uses proprietary McAlister HydroCarbon Splitter™ technology to produce clean-burning hydrogen, while our agricultural programs integrate carbon sequestration into every phase of land use planning.
18.5M commercial bamboo program across Bomi County — one of the fastest-growing carbon-sequestering crops in the world, with 36 verified global buyers.
5,000 acres of wetland rice integrated with fish ponds and duck ranging — a self-reinforcing ecosystem that boosts yields while restoring soil health.
Clean hydrogen production via McAlister HydroCarbon Splitter™ and VelPro™ technology — positioning Bomi County at the frontier of Africa's energy transition.
Carbon sequestration is woven into every agricultural and forestry program, generating verifiable credits that fund further community investment.
Leadership
Founder and CEO of A3I and Principal Investigator of Kweni Business Group. Dr. Tra brings deep roots in the Marahoué region of Côte d'Ivoire, combined with strategic expertise spanning resource development, biomedical research, and African diaspora engagement. He leads A3I's vision of a fully integrated, community-driven development model across sub-Saharan Africa.
Provides strategic governance and board-level oversight across A3I's operations and corporate functions. Roosevelt ensures that A3I's growth is structured, accountable, and aligned with its long-term mission to serve both investors and the communities in which we work.
Heads the Bomi County Project Management Office, coordinating across all five districts and managing A3I's relationships with the Liberian government, local authorities, and community leaders. His political experience and local knowledge are essential to A3I's in-country success.
The operational heartbeat of A3I's Liberia program. Victor coordinates day-to-day execution across mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and community programs — ensuring what's planned in Atlanta becomes real on the ground in Bomi County.
Leads A3I's Clean Carbon and Hydrogen Development Program and serves as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing corporate finance, SBLC management, and investor reporting. Austin's dual role bridges A3I's most innovative program with its financial integrity.
Champions A3I's community-first mandate — overseeing the HBCU internship program, local workforce development, health and education initiatives, and the ongoing relationships that make A3I a trusted partner rather than just another extractive company.
Get in Touch
Whether you're a community partner, a prospective employee, a researcher, a journalist, or simply someone curious about our work — we welcome your questions and conversations.