One year after hosting the United States-Africa Leaders Summit (USALS), principal officers of the U.S. government, yesterday, said America had delivered more than 40 per cent of commitments made at the gathering, which hosted about 50 African heads of government in Washington DC.
Speaking during a digital press briefing on the one year anniversary, U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Jonathan Pratt; National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont and Prosper Africa Coordinator, British Robinson, pointed out that following the summit, 2023 witnessed a record-setting year for U.S.-African relations.
“Last year, the Biden-Harris administration said we would invest $55 billion in Africa over three years. As we wind down 2023, we have already delivered on more than 40 per cent of this commitment. By the end of year two, we anticipate surpassing 70 per cent of our goal, if not more.
“And then our reform of the global governance architecture. For the first time, the African Union is part of the G20, our hope is that there will be a third seat for Sub-Saharan Africa at the IMF, as well as our commitment to the UN Security Council,” the American government stated.
The U.S. listed some of the gains to include the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, inaugurated and presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris in October, to advise the President on strategies to strengthen ties between African communities, Diaspora Africans and United States; African Democratic and Political Transitions initiative (ADAPT) with Guinea as the pilot country, where U.S. would support the people in their transition to democratic governance by January 1, 2025 and Digital Transformation with Africa initiative (DTA).
This flagship effort to expand digital access on the continent is aligned with the priorities outlined in the African Union’s digital transformation strategy.
The U.S. promised continued focus on issues like food security and climate.
When asked if Biden would still fulfil his promise to visit the continent this year or before the 2024 election, Devermont said the President was very serious about his desire to travel to Africa.
“I don’t have anything to announce today (yesterday), but we’re certainly continuing our efforts to engage more deeply and meaningfully on the continent.
“I mean, this whole conversation today (yesterday) has been about what we have done in the past year. And so, I think our African partners have seen real, concrete outcomes from our work. Seventeen senior-level visits – real progress. In fact, over-delivering on the $55 billion commitment to Africa.
“The major infrastructure projects for the first time in 30 years, a renewed commitment to trade and investment, as the British mentioned earlier,” he added.
