Trade, climate crisis top agenda as US-Africa summit kicks off
Picking up from where Barack Obama left over eight years ago, US President Biden is today hosting nearly 50 leaders from Africa to discuss a number of hot topics including trade, and the climate crisis.
Leaders from Africa, home to roughly 1.3 billion people, will also focus on good governance, food security and global health, as well as ways of bolstering US-Africa trade and investments.
Kenya’s President William Ruto left for the three-day summit on Monday shortly after leading the nation in 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations.
Dr Ruto is expected to speak on; “The Future of Africa’s Trade and Investment Relations with the US”, and address the December 13th to 15th summit on partnering in Agenda 2063 to a Peaceful and Secure Africa.
“The summit… is rooted in the recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical player. The continent will shape the future not just of the African people, but also the world,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday.
“Working closely with Congress, the US will commit $55 billion (Kes6.8 trillion) to Africa over the course of the next three years,” Mr Sullivan added.
President Biden has been keen on resetting USA’s ties with other countries, especially after four years of his predecessor Donald Trump’s “America First” approach that considerably frayed relations with a number of key partners across the world.
Kenya delegation is set to use the opportunity to engage players in US private sector, pitching for expanded trade and investments to bolster the country’s access to the expansive US market.
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The US edged past the Netherlands becoming the second-largest market for Kenya’s exports in the eight months to August.
American consumers bought Kes26.9 billion worth of Kenyan goods in the period to September ahead of Netherlands’ Kes25.3 billion, according to trade disclosures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Under President Trump, the US role in Africa waned, and the Biden administration officials are keen on strengthening ties with like-minded countries in the region.
During the summit, Mr Biden is expected to announce US support for the African Union’s admission to the G20 group of the world’s biggest economies as a permanent member. At the moment, South Africa is the only G20 member from the continent.
