The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security, trade and technology partnerships across Africa, saying deeper cooperation in logistics and communications is critical to unlocking economic development and attracting long-term investment on the continent.

Speaking during a digital press briefing from the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, American Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Office of Middle East and Africa, Mark Mitchell, said the four-day event, attended by delegates from more than 40 African countries, provided a platform to connect United States companies with governments and private sector partners across the continent.

He said the Department of Commerce was working closely with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the African Union-backed Strategic Infrastructure Investment Working Group to support infrastructure, logistics and communications projects that promote stability and economic growth.

Mitchell said American companies offer advanced technologies that can help African countries build secure logistics and communications systems while strengthening governance and attracting investment.

During his visit to Ethiopia, he met with government officials, Ethiopian Airlines and technology institutions, including the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, where discussions focused on expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence and supporting the country’s digital transformation.

He also highlighted America’s support for the proposed Bishoftu International Airport project, saying the initiative would create new opportunities for American companies, including Boeing and GE Aerospace, while strengthening Africa’s connectivity.

Mitchell said the United States distinguished itself from other global partners through long-term, enterprise-driven investment, transparent business practices and support for local capacity development rather than dependency.

He also encouraged African countries to adopt artificial intelligence to improve logistics, customs processing and supply chains while maintaining data sovereignty through secure infrastructure, strong governance frameworks and open, competitive technology ecosystems.

Also speaking, Director of Logistics at United States Africa Command, Brigadier General Paul G. Filcek, said logistics and communications had become inseparable pillars of modern security operations, prompting AFRICOM to merge its logistics and communications conferences into a single symposium for the first time.

He said the event attracted representatives from 40 partner nations and 27 private companies, the largest participation recorded for an AFRICOM-hosted functional conference, adding that stronger regional cooperation and interoperability were essential to tackling growing threats such as human trafficking and illicit narcotics trade while encouraging commercial investment across Africa.
Filcek said AFRICOM’s Assess, Advise, Advocate and Integrate (A3I) programme was helping African partners build greater operational independence by strengthening their logistics capabilities and reducing reliance on Usupport.

He noted that the symposium was designed to foster collaboration among governments, militaries and industry, arguing that resilient logistics and communications networks remain the foundation for both regional security and sustainable economic prosperity.