The US Africa Summit began its first day with the US Africa Business Forum bringing together leaders in the business sectors from both Africa and the United States to discuss opportunities for partnership.
Speaking on the panel titled “Game Plan: Shaping the Future of a Fast- Growing Continent” alongside President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Marzouki of Tunisia, President Zuma of South Africa and President Kikwete of Tanzania, President Kagame highlighted the potential to turn Africa’s challenges into opportunities:
“Through this partnership, imagine the kind of growth and development than can be unleashed. But there has to be grounds on which growth can translate into development. Each of the members in this partnership has responsibilities and a role to play.”
President Kagame emphasized the need for Africa to own up to its weaknesses and forge a way forward that ensures Africa becomes an equal partner:
“We need to build our capacities and strengthen our institutions to avoid the over dependency that has been there for too long.We need to own up to our mistakes and weaknesses and contribute to our solutions. We need to tell our own story.”
President Kagame concluded his remarks with an emphasis on the need for African nations to work together:
“There is not much time to waste in terms of building consensus and working together so that we partner with others rather than be dependent on them.”
The US Africa Business Forum was co hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The day focused on key areas including infrastructure, power, agriculture, finance and capital investments and information and communication technologies.
Speakers throughout the day included African business leaders Aliko Dangote, Ashish Thakkar, Strive Masiyiwa as well as US policy makers including National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.
The investment of US businesses in Africa following this conference is expected to total $14 billion in business deals that will benefit both Africa and the US. Among the issues advocated at the summit, the Obama administration announced efforts to extend the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act set to expire next year for another fifteen years.
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