China

Biden: US 'All In' on Africa's Future

Published DEC 15 2022

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

US Pres. Biden on Wednesday told the 49 African leaders attending the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington that "the United States is 'all-in' on Africa's future."
Reuters
Biden pledged over $15B in new commitments and deals with African nations on projects including in the sectors of sustainable energy, connectivity, finance, health, and infrastructure.
Bloomberg.com
Washington also agreed to a memorandum of understanding with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. When fully implemented AfCFTA will reportedly create a $3.4T continent-wide market.
Whitehouse
Earlier this week, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also signaled that the Biden admin. was set to provide $55B in economic, health, and security funding over the next three years to support Africa in achieving its development goals in line with the African Union's "Agenda 2063."
Al Arabiya English
The three-day summit, the second such event since 2014, opened Tuesday and reportedly aims to revitalize Washington's engagement with Africa amid competitors like China and Russia increasing their influence on the continent. In recent years, the EU and Turkey have also held their own respective African summits.
CNN
US Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin on Tuesday also cautioned African leaders at a panel against alleged "destabilizing" activities by China and Russia in Africa — alleging Beijing's lack of transparency and Moscow's continued trade in "cheap weapons" and deployment of mercenaries.
RFI

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Though Washington pretends that it wants to close the growing trust gap between the US and Africa, the Biden admin. still sees Africa merely as a pawn in its strategic goal of competing with China and Russia. However, African leaders have long known that the US isn't concerned with cooperation for mutual benefit. Africa is unlikely to benefit from the summit in a meaningful way.

Global Times

Pro-establishment narrative

Biden's influence on the US-Africa summit includes vital cooperation on economics, health, sustainability, and governance. The US is interconnected to all African nations, and this forum is an opportunity to enhance a deep partnership for years to come.

Quartz