President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for a long-term partnership with Africa rooted in good governance as American businesses unveiled billions of dollars in tech investment for a continent where China is a leading player. The player has become
Addressing a summit that brought 49 African leaders to a chilly Washington, Biden avoided naming China but made it clear that the United States would take a different approach.
In the first such gathering since Barack Obama invited African leaders in 2014, Biden said the United States sought “partnership — not to create political responsibility, to promote dependency, but rather to promote shared success and opportunity.”
“When Africa succeeds, America succeeds. Quite frankly, so does the whole world,” the president said.
The Biden administration is offering more than $55 billion in aid during the three-day summit and welcomed American and African businesses on Wednesday, pledging more than $15 billion in trade deals.
In a stark contrast to China, which takes a hands-off approach to countries where it invests, Biden highlighted “the core values that unite our people — all our people, especially As Youth: Freedom, Opportunity, Transparency, Good Governance”.
He said Africa’s economic transition depends on good governance, a healthy population and reliable and affordable energy.
Biden was unusually brief, saying the leaders likely wanted to watch the World Cup, and watched the semi-final with the prime minister of Morocco, the first African country to ever advance to the soccer tournament.
Biden later invited the leaders to a sea bass and black-eyed pea dinner and a performance of Gladys Night at the White House.
In a toast, Biden spoke of the “unimaginable cruelty” of “my nation’s original sin” — the enslavement of Africans — and praised the contributions of the diaspora.
“Our people are at the heart of the deep and profound relationship that binds Africa and the United States forever,” Biden said.
Driving tech investment
China has surpassed the United States in investing in Africa in the past decade with high-profile infrastructure projects, often financed by loans totaling more than $120 billion since the turn of the century.
Defense Minister Lloyd Austin warned African leaders on Tuesday that both China and Russia were “destabilizing” the continent, saying Beijing’s mega deals lacked transparency.
Biden announced a $100 million aid package for clean energy and the White House unveiled another $800 million in public and private financing for digital development in Africa.
In one of the biggest corporate announcements yet, Visa said it would pour $1 billion into Africa to boost digital payments — an area in which China has emerged as a global leader.
Cisco and partner Cybastion said they would commit $858 million to boost cybersecurity through 10 contracts across Africa, addressing a critical threat, and ADB Group for cloud technology centers in Ivory Coast. Pledged a $500 million startup that could attract major U.S. firms.
Microsoft said it will use satellites to provide Internet access to about 10 million people for the first time, half of them in Africa, starting in Egypt, Senegal and Angola.
Microsoft president Brad Smith told JEE News there is no shortage of talent in Africa, but there is a huge lack of opportunity.
Setting standards on aid
China has denied US accusations that it is imposing a “debt trap” on Africa and has in turn accused Washington of turning the continent into a geopolitical arena.
The United States has conditioned much of its infrastructure aid on democratic standards.
Biden announced that four countries – Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo – have been selected to design future US grants through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which funds projects in countries that promote good governance. meet the key criteria of
Secretary of State Anthony Blanken participated in the signing of a $504 million infrastructure package by the corporation that will connect Benin’s port of Cotonou with landlocked Niger’s capital, Niamey, which U.S. officials estimate will benefit 1.6 million people. .
“For a long time we have considered it our natural port,” Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum said, as he promised “institutional reforms” to support trade.
Benin President Patrice Talon thanked the US for addressing the development, saying: “Africa’s attractiveness must be part of the relationship with the US.”
Blanken said the deal “will not put governments into debt.”
“The plans will bear the hallmarks of America’s partnership,” Blanken said. “They will be transparent.” They will be of high quality. They will be accountable to the people they are meant to serve.”
