The White House has announced a new US strategy for sub-Saharan Africa which is to focus on the continent’s economic potential, and also explore issues related to democracy, security and development. The strategy comes as China’s presence on the continent continues to grow through investment and trade, with the US following a route of the now wellestablished African Growth and Opportunity (Agoa) trade policy, and trade and investment framework agreements (Tifas). The White House said its new strategy towards sub- Saharan Africa provides “a proactive and forwardlooking vision grounded in partnership”. A bid to increase trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa is among its aims, and matches the tactic employed by China. The US administration is reaching out to entrepreneurs through exchange programmes. It will try to match US and African companies for business opportunities. A BBC report said that the strategy was the result of four months of work during which advisers looked at how to address the challenges the continent faces – from famine to instability – as well as the continent’s economic potential. The BBC’s Kim Ghattas in Washington said the strategy was partly aimed at encouraging the US and Africans to do business together. She added that this approach could also provide an opportunity to help revive the flagging economy in the US. US President Barack Obama said African democracy had improved but corruption was endemic in many countries, and state institutions were weak. He added that he would work with Congress to develop preferential trade agreements with African countries, while fighting al-Qaeda and its affiliates on the continent. “As we look toward the future, it is clear that Africa is more important than ever to the security and prosperity of the international community, and to the United States in particular,” said Obama. The unveiling of this new presidential policy directive (PPD) for sub-Saharan Africa represents a major milestone in building a stronger economic relationship between the US and Africa, said deputy US trade representative, Demetrios Marantis. “As the PPD is implemented, we can look forward to ever more enhanced and focused engagement on trade and investment between the US and sub-Saharan African nations in the years to come. “Building on the PPD, we can look forward to continuing, with renewed energy, our existing bilateral and regional trade policy discussions, whether through our Tifas, negotiations on bilateral and regional investment treaties and initiatives, or at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).” Marantis noted that there would be ongoing work and co-operation through the various US government agencies, but most importantly, according to Marantis, through the US private sector. They would continue building important energy, transport and other infrastructure that supported US-Africa trade, “and a more competitive role for Africa in the vast global economy”. Although these announcements indicated a renewed focus on Africa, it is a plan that is short on detail for now, and it is unclear how the strategy differs from what the administration has been doing so far. ‘The strategy comes as China’s presence on the continent continues to grow through investment and trade.’
