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Washington is hosting the political and economic leaders from the African continent for three days in a summit, that is underway in Washington. The annual summit assumes importance against the backdrop of present political and economic developments in the continent
Washington is hosting the political and economic leaders from the African continent for three days in a summit, is underway in Washington. The annual summit assumes importance against the backdrop of present political and economic developments in the continent.
A good number of African countries are keen that the US becomes a part of their growth story by attracting capital from there in sectors like oil and gas, telecommunications, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. The US investments, so far, have been more focussed on oil and gas, while countries like China have entered into large-scale investments in the region in sectors like infrastructure, ports, manufacturing, telecommunications, tapping non-conventional energy, etc. During the presidency of former US president, Donald Trump, it was often pointed out that the US did not do much in building strategic relations with the region.
Importantly, Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin received Angolan President Lourenço, who reminded the US administration of the ongoing change in Angola’s foreign policy. Similar courtesies are expected to be extended to heads of state of other countries., which analysts say, is a part of the US policy to build a new equation and partnership with African countries amidst the efforts being made by Russia and China to enhance their presence in the region.
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The US has given very clear signals to the countries in the continent that it is interested in strengthening cooperation with them to regain the confidence of African countries. The Summit, analysts expect, will be a forum to help the US to outreach some of the friendly African countries. Many important decisions are to be taken by the US at the summit, including the extension of the time frame for duty-free access to the Sub-Saharan African countries. The US also would motivate its large and small corporations to focus on investing in the continent in non-traditional areas like digital economy, telecommunications, building infrastructure, etc as part of its strategy to regain the confidence of the countries in the region.
