Biggest US–Africa Leaders Summit Opens on Monday

By Simon Ateba

United States President, Barack Obama, will host 51 African heads of state and government at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC from 4-6 August; the first time ever such a big gathering takes place between the world’s most powerful nation and Africa.

This historic summit will bring leaders from across the African continent to US capital to further strengthen ties with the United States.

Before the summit proper on 6 August, a CEO leaders’ forum on 5 August will bring together about 200 companies from across Africa and the United States.

The summit themed: “Investing in the Next Generation,” will hold in three phases. The first will focus on “Investing in the Next Generation, Investing in the Future” while the second will be on “Peace and Security”. The third phase will focus on democracy and governance, looking at how to invest in the future in Africa.

In addition, First Lady Michelle Obama, in partnership with former First Lady Laura Bush and the Bush Institute, will host a day-long spouses symposium at the Kennedy Center focused on the impact of investments in education, health, and public-private partnerships.

“Building on the progress made since President Obama’s trip to Africa last summer, the Summit will advance the focus on trade and investment in Africa, and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and elevate the ideas of young people,” the US diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said in a statement on Thursday.

The Mission said leading up to the summit, there will be a series of events for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) from 28-30 July.

“The theme, “Investing in the Next Generation,” reflects the common ambition the US shares with the people and governments of Africa to leave our nations better for future generations by making concrete gains in peace and security, good governance, and economic development,” the Mission said.

Video clips of the events will be available via the Foreign Press Center website www.fpc.state.gov/africa2014.