On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, President Joe Biden announced more than $15bn in “two-way trade and investment commitments, deals and partnerships” with Africa, including on key issues such as sustainable energy and infrastructure.
Washington promised government funding and private investment to help the African continent in health, infrastructure, business and technology.
The US also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, which the White House said will generate a continent-wide, $3.4-trillion market.
“Trade runs on reliable infrastructure to support and secure resilient supply chains, and improving Africa’s infrastructure is essential to our vision of building a stronger global economy.”
President Joe Biden
In addition, President Biden itemized companies that had made deals at the summit so far, including General Electric and Cisco Systems.
“The U.S. is committed to supporting every aspect of Africa’s growth,” Biden declared.
Biden, who is pitching the U.S. as a reliable partner to promote democratic elections and push critical health and energy growth, informed the group of African leaders that the $55 billion in committed investments over the next three years which was announced on Monday, December 12, 2022, was “just the beginning.”
“There’s so much more we can do together and that we will do together,” Biden added.
Biden made an articulation of how the U.S. would help in modernizing technology across the continent, providing clean energy, moving women’s equality forward through business opportunities, bringing clean drinking water to communities and better funding health care.
First lady Jill Biden’ s office also allocated $300 million for cancer prevention, screening, treatment and research in Africa.
After his presentation, Biden spent some time with leaders, including Moroccan Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, watching Morocco’s World Cup match with France.
Morocco lost but made history as the first African team to advance to the tournament’s semifinal round.
Biden also held a smaller meeting at the White House with the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Thursday, December 15, 2022, is to be dedicated to high-level discussions among leaders; Biden will open the day with a session on partnering with the African Union’s strategic vision for the continent.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has participated in bilateral meetings with African heads of state on the sidelines of the summit, with a particular focus on efforts to resolve conflicts and political tensions.
President And First Lady Hosts White House Dinner
President Joe Biden and First Lady, Jill Biden hosted a White House dinner for all the leaders and their spouses onWednesday night.
The food was prepared by Mashama Bailey, the Executive Chef of The Grey, a Southern cooking spot in Savannah, Georgia. Gladys Knight provided the post-dinner entertainment.
Biden in a toast at the start of the dinner acknowledged the “original sin” of enslaved Africans brought to U.S. shores and paid tribute to the next generation of leaders in both the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Because particularly of our young people, in all our countries together, we can deliver a world that is healthier and safer, more equal, more just, more prosperous and more filled with opportunity for everyone.”
President Joe Biden
Senegalese President, Macky Sall, who also heads the African Union, expressed hope in his own toast that the U.S. and African leaders could advance their partnership “to the next level.”
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