According to the organizers, the summit aims to serve as a
demonstration of the Biden administration’s commitment to the African
continent and provide a forum for new joint initiatives between the
United States and countries in Africa. According to senior White House
officials, approximately 50 heads of state and senior government
officials from African countries are expected to attend the summit.
Worth recalling that, the first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit was held
in 2014, under President Obama’s administration, announcing and engaging
new private sector commitments to invest and partner with African
countries on initiatives in energy, financial services, climate change,
food security and health care, among other areas. This year’s summit is
expected to prioritize similar issues, while placing an even greater
emphasis on bilateral trade and investment initiatives.
The summit will include new initiatives to increase U.S. engagement
with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as
initiatives to boost the continent’s recovery from COVID-19, bolster
food security and promote investment in infrastructure, health and
renewable energy projects, among other priorities. The forum will also
include interactions with the civil society, multilateral meetings
between President Biden and African Heads of state, secretary and
cabinet-level meetings for trade, energy and diplomacy, and a collection
of industry-focused meetings under the purviews of the U.S.-Africa
Business Forum.
The Biden administration is also expected to reiterate the need for
African governments to address democracy and human rights concerns.
According to a Statement issued by the White House on 20 July 2022,
President Biden said ” I look forward to working with African
governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United
States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared
vision for the future of U.S.-Africa relations”.
The US President added that, the Summit will demonstrate the United
States’ enduring commitment to Africa and will underscore the importance
of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global
priorities. the U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit will build on shared values
to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce commitment to
democracy, human rights, and civil society; mitigate the impact of
COVID-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen
regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and
security; respond to the climate crisis; amplify diaspora ties and
promote education and youth leadership.
Africa will shape the future — not just the future of the African
people, but of the world. Africa will make the difference in tackling
the most urgent challenges and seizing the opportunities the world is
facing.
Activities during the summit will include the Civil Society Day scheduled to take place on 13 December 2022. This will include the following:
- African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum –
This forum will elevate the diaspora engagement to strengthen the
dialogue between U.S. officials and the diaspora in the United States
and provide a platform for young African and diaspora leaders. - African Growth and Opportunity Act Ministerial Meeting –
the ministerial will be hosted by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine
Tai with Sub-Saharan African trade ministers and senior officials.
Furthermore, a Business Day scheduled for 14 December 2022 will comprise of the U.S.-Africa Business Forum (USABF), hosted by the
U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the
Corporate Council on Africa, in partnership with the Prosper Africa
initiative. The USABF will focus on advancing a two-way trade and
investment partnership that bolsters Africa’s role in the global
economy, scale innovation and entrepreneurship, and drive advancements
in key sectors. The USABF will also include “Deal Rooms” that will
showcase commitments made by U.S. companies investing in and partnering
with Africa.
Meanwhile, a Leaders Day has been scheduled for the 15 of December 2022. The Leaders Day will feature government meetings and events for the visiting country delegations.
On the other hand, there will also be different side events held by
think tanks and associations, featuring key African government leaders
and thematic issues of interest. Additional details about the summit and
events surrounding it will be communicated subsequently.
– African Union –
