The U.S.-Africa Summit Report on High-Precision Measurements of the Economic, Security and Economic Performance of the World’s Youngest
Forty-nine nations have been invited to a summit in Washington this week. President Barack Obama held the first US-Africa summit at the White House and Vice President Biden knows a photo op around a banquet table won’t make up for it. That brought hope, but that relationship just didn’t happen. This week’s gathering is a chance to change that.
The fastest growing population in the world is comprised of Africa’s 1.4 billion people. It’s also among the youngest, with 15.7 being the median age. Africa’s young population is poised to make their mark on the world and doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see it.
The White House said it will commit $55 billion in economic, security and health investment in Africa over the next three years, and will name a special envoy to focus on the issues.
China’s trade with Africa reached a high of more than $254 billion last year. US trade with Africa is only a fraction of that, at only about $64 billion. And warmongering Russia is now the continent’s largest arms dealer,with major influence in many African countries. These ties have real-life repercussions for American interests abroad. Africa has a strong relationship with Russia and this has helped it in its criticism of the invasion of Ukraine, despite the US and much of the world disagreeing.
The then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was seen by some African diplomats as being more concerned with warning against investments and loans from China, which has poured $700 billion in infrastructure loans across the continent, than engaging with African policymakers on shared aims.
The shift in tone from the US has been led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A new Africa strategy document released in the summer emphasized Africa’s agency and partnership. Statements by Biden administration officials have emphasized the U.S.’ intent is to listen, not lecture countries.
And in another sign of engagement efforts, the White House says it will appoint Johnnie Carson, a longtime foreign service officer, to a new role of special representative for Africa.
The renewal of the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act will be a key feature in the improvement of trade. The act makes it easier for the U.S. market to be accessed in countries like Ethiopia. The U.S. blocked the East African country’s access to the AGOA this year following the Ethiopian government’s civil war with the northern Tigray region. The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who will be in D.C. for the summit, will have talks with the US Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, about access to the US markets.
The administration hopes to find new trade opportunities and fight terrorism in order to strengthen democracy, but they don’t have a lot of details about what they are hoping for. It’s not clear if any major policy emerges from the summit.
Joyce M. Davis is the president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is a veteran journalist and author who has lived and worked around the globe, working for National Public Radio, Knight Ridder Newspapers in Washington, DC, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague. Her opinions are her own. Read more opinion at CNN.
These relationships have existed since before the sun set. They have been more than a decade in the making. American leaders have allowed these powers to gain valuable footholds on the continent potentially threatening our own interests around the world. That was a mistake, and one that President Joe Biden seems ready to rectify.
Biden is said to be planning to travel to Africa next year, according to Axios, a bold move that shows commitment to improving ties across the continent. This week, the White House also announced that it would be sending $55 billion in health, economic and security assistance to Africa – a down payment on future US investment in the continent.