The Cohen Group is a trusted partner for companies who do business in the Middle East and Africa, markets of significant complexity and opportunity.
The Cohen Group’s Middle East and Africa Practice advises clients across the defense, technology and AI, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, water, hospitality, and other industries. Our longstanding relationships in Washington D.C. and presence at leading business and defense shows in the region position our firm to strengthen strategic relationships for our clients with senior officials, foreign delegations and regional and global industry leaders.
In addition to assisting clients in securing and preparing for high-level engagements, The Cohen Group helps leading companies implement market entry, develop business development campaigns, and navigate government relations and regulation. We help clients pursue business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Israel, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and across Africa, and our team regularly leads senior client delegations to countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and in North Africa.
Our Middle East and Africa Practice includes former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Ralston, former Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and US Defense Attache to Cairo Lieutenant General Charles Hooper, former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State Ambassador P. Michael McKinley, and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and Ambassador to Zambia Jeff Davidow, among other highly experienced professionals. Former nominee for Ambassador to Libya and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jen Gavito and former Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia Jaime Stansbury lead our Middle East and Africa Practice.
Secretary William Cohen’s involvement in the Middle East and Africa extends for nearly five decades. Throughout his career, he worked with heads of state and government and cabinet ministers in the Middle East and Africa, building relationships to support US businesses across these regions. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Council on Foreign Relations, chairing its Middle East Study Group.
Examples of The Cohen Group support in the Middle East and North Africa
- Advised a global water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions company to secure a relationship with the leading mining company in Saudi Arabia, creating a $35M annual pipeline of projects for nearly decade.
- Created a market entry plan for a technical textiles company to enter the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco markets, resulting in a profitable local partnership and ongoing wear trials.
- Guided a global US professional services firm to overcome reputational challenges in the region and identify new opportunities to provide services.
- Executed an engagement campaign for a US biotech and artificial intelligence company with senior officials, sovereign wealth funds, and private investors in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, resulting in 15 strategic relationships.
- Helped a large multinational defense firm navigate complex Qadhafi-era export restrictions in order to conclude delivery of a major contract in Libya.
Examples of The Cohen Group support in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Assisted a global oil services firm to address political and regulatory issues in Angola and open a logistics hub in Central Africa.
- Conducted a market assessment, including potential business partners, for a major US healthcare firm in Ghana.
- Advised a Thai engineering and logistics firm on its strategy for entering East Africa.
- Analyzed political, economic, financial and reputational risk for a major Japanese conglomerate facing nonpayment challenges in West Africa.