Not the first such summit, President Barak Obama hosted the first-of-its-kind U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit in 2014. President Biden brought it back last week following the successful US-Africa business summit that was held this past July in Marrakech.
Key features and themes of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders’ Summit included promoting business, economic success and prosperity, and fortifying democracy, peace, and security for African countries.
Morocco’s Light Shines in DC
With the new US Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar having been sworn in in mid-November, and US-Morocco relations already at a high, the summit highlighted Morocco as a key partner of the US in Africa: a stable, democratizing, and liberalizing Muslim nation.
As a business and trading hub and platform for the continent, a leader in energy, infrastructure, and peace and security on the continent, Morocco aligns with US priorities of economic, social, and political reform; conflict resolution; counterterrorism/security cooperation; and public outreach.
It has the largest consolidated solar energy plant on the continent and is a key sponsor of the planned 5,660 km offshore natural gas pipeline connecting Nigerian gas to every coastal country in West Africa (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania), terminating at Tangiers, and extending potentially to Cádiz, Spain. The pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2046 at a cost of $25 billion.
The DC government also shone a spotlight on Morocco and Africa in the World Cup semi-final. The DC Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, along with Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, co-hosted a watch party for the Morocco-France semifinal that filled a local restaurant venue to capacity.
“We all share a common thread through love of our countries and the creative artists, and athletes who represent them and bring their cultures across the World,” said Angie Gates, President and CEO of Events DC and former Director of the DC government’s Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music and Entertainment.
“The watch party gave everyone an opportunity to come together as a community — locally, nationally, and internationally — to watch history unfold” at the very same time as “historic decisions on how to solve problems, create business opportunities, and work together politically” were being made just two blocks away at the US-Africa Summit.
The US Committed to Significant Investment Across Africa
“The United States is all in on Africa and all in with Africa,” President Biden asserted last week. “African voices, leadership, and innovation are all critical to addressing the most pressing global challenges and to realizing the vision we all share: A world that is free, open, prosperous, and secure.”
The US president noted his support for a seat for Africa both at the G20 and on the United Nations Security Council.
“Africa belongs at the table in every room, in every room where global challenges are being discussed and every institution where discussions are taking place,” the President said.
He announced a total of $55 billion for investment in Africa over the next three years in areas from rural development to collaboration in outer space. He also announced “over $15 billion in private two-way trade and investment commitments, deals, and partnerships to advance shared priorities” including bolstering democracy.
In a theme echoed throughout the entire summit, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, emphasized at a side event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace addressing climate change that Africa is “open for business and investment, not aid.”
Buttressing Democracy and Leading with Values
During the summit, Biden met with leaders from several countries that will be holding elections in 2023 to emphasize the importance of free and fair voting.
“We see over and over again that our greatest power is our people,” he said, announcing $75 million to strengthen transparent government, voter registration, and constitutional reform.
The US will remain focused on leading with values, according to President Biden, including support for democracy, respect for the rule of law, commitment to human rights, and emphasizing responsible government.
While some in Africa and the diaspora are skeptical of such promises, one young diaspora leader is optimistic.
“Overall the tides are turning,” said Mamadou Samba, Executive Director of the Pan-African Institute for Municipal Development (PIMD), and the former Director of the DC Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, the only office of its kind in any US city. “This is a chance for a breath of fresh air when it comes to governance and leadership” in Africa.
But it’s going to take more than just words. It will take implementing those values on the ground, according to Samba.
Keeping the US True to its Commitment
President Biden named a top diplomat to ensure the summit’s commitments are executed. He directed establishment of a special 12-member President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United. Its members will be appointed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken without regard to political party, and they will reflect the diversity of the African Diaspora from African American and African immigrant communities, including individuals who have distinguished themselves in government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden along with Cabinet officials will also visit Africa to demonstrate America’s interest in the continent.
Undoubtedly sport unifies, and the Summit and World Cup have put Morocco and Africa front and center on the world stage. The image of President Joe Biden watching the Morocco-France match seated next to Morocco’s head of government and other African leaders will be etched indelibly on football fans’ memories for years to come.
