Washington hails ‘record’ year for US-Africa ties post-2022 leaders summit

The United States had delivered more than 40% of commitments made at the United States-Africa Leaders Summit (USALS) one year ago, which hosted about 50 African heads of government in Washington DC, senior US government officers have said.
Speaking during a digital press briefing on the one year anniversary (14 December), they pointed out that following the summit, 2023 witnessed a record-setting year for US-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% of this commitment. By the end of year two, we anticipate surpassing 70% of our goal, if not more.” On top of that, the US government highlighted other achievements, including the fact that it has welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, expanded trade and investment partnerships, advanced major food and health security investments, and launched a digital transformation initiative, forged new security and good governance cooperation, and catalyzed landmark diaspora-driven engagement.
The White House website has published a ‘fact sheet’ where it elaborates on each of these achievements in the US-Africa relations. For example, it states that in 2023, America accelerated high-level exchanges, directing an unprecedented pace of visits to the continent, most notably the visit by Vice President Harris to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. It also notes that in the past year, the US has supported and helped close 547 new deals for a total estimated value of $14.2 billion in new two-way trade and investment between the US and African countries. It also highlights President Biden’s decision to choose Africa for the first and flagship economic corridor under his signature $600 billion Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) initiative to address the global infrastructure gap. Last but not the least, in 2023, the US has also advanced the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative and other projects aimed at enhancing Africa’s food security.