THE US is joining the fashion for summitry with Africa. President Barack Obama will host the first US-Africa Leaders’ summit in Washington on August 5 and 6.
France, China and Japan have led the way recently in upgrading diplomatic and other links, bolstered by the enthusiastic mantra in business and investment circles about "Africa Rising".
"President Obama looks forward to welcoming leaders from across the African continent to the nation’s capital to further strengthen ties with one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions," the White House said in a statement.
"The summit will build on the progress made since the president’s trip to Africa last summer, advance the administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa, and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development and people."
Last week Japan announced moves to shape a bigger role for itself in Africa with increased aid and investment, a pledge to share the secrets of its famed work ethic and, most of all, through making African women shine.
Ending a three-nation tour, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa that Africa now "carries the hopes of the world" thanks to its natural resources and its dynamic economic growth.
Japan created a vehicle for its relations with Africa in 1993 called Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad), but took its foot off the pedal until last year’s Ticad 5 when Mr Abe’s government pledged aid of $32bn over the next five years.
All the world’s major trading nations have been playing catch-up with China, now Africa’s main trading partner. Bilateral trade topped $200bn last year.
The relationship has been cemented through a body called the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac), which organises frequent ministerial gatherings with African states and occasional presidential summits.
France has regular Franco-African summits — the most recent was held in Paris last year — but the focus is usually on politics and security.
Britain’s principal relationship with the 54-nation bloc in the African Union is via the European Union.
President Obama is half-Kenyan but his connection with the continent was not seen as electorally advantageous during his first term.
That constraint appears to be easing in his second and final term. He visited Africa last year, apart from attending Nelson Mandela’s funeral, and launched a Young African Leaders programme.
Next August’s summit will focus on trade and investment in Africa, highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people, the White House said.
Zimbabwe and Egypt are likely not be among the African countries invited as their relationship with the US are not in good standing.
