Topeka ? The Kansas Department of Commerce is inviting businesses to a forum next month on potential trade opportunities in Africa.

The United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum takes place Aug. 5-6 in Kansas City, Mo. It’s sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

African business and government officials are scheduled to attend.

State commerce officials say sales by Kansas businesses to Africa totaled $500 million last year, representing about 6 percent of the state’s total global exports. Leading products were aircraft, beef, grains and industrial equipment.