Fact Sheet: United States (U.S.) Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa – African Business

Sub-Saharan Africa plays an important role in advancing global priorities, for the benefit both Africans and Americans.   It has one of the world’s fastest growing populations, largest free trade areas, most diverse ecosystems, and one of the largest regional voting groups in the United Nations (UN).  It is impossible to meet today’s defining challenges without African contributions and leadership.  The region will play a prominent role in efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic, tackle the climate crisis, reverse the global tides in democratic backsliding, address global hunger, promote gender equity, equality, strengthen an open and secure international system, shape the rules of the game on crucial issues like trade, cyber- and emerging technologies, and combat terrorism, conflict, as well as confront the threat of transnational crime.

Building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions and commitments to deepen our engagement and partnerships in Africa during the past year, the strategy articulates our new vision for a 21st Century U.S.-African Partnership.  It recognizes the immense, positive opportunities available to advance our shared interests alongside our African partners.  At the same time, we acknowledge that Africa’s potential will continue to be challenged as long as deadly conflicts divide societies, corruption impedes economic progress, food insecurity heightens the risk of famine and malnutrition, and repression stifles human rights and democratic expression.  As President Biden noted in his address to the African Union last year, “none of this is going to be easy but the United States stands ready now to be your partner, in solidarity, support, and mutual respect.”

The new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa represents a reframing of Africa’s importance to U.S. national security interests.  We will pursue four main goals in sub-Saharan Africa.

1. FOSTER OPENNESS and OPEN SOCIETIES  

The United States is committed to ensuring that the region remains open to all and that governments, publics, and international obligations are met.  Open societies are generally more inclined to work in common cause with the United States, attract greater U.S. trade and investment, pursue policies to improve conditions for their citizens, and counter harmful activities by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and other actors.  We will encourage openness and open society, including by:

• Promoting transparency in government and accountability
• We must place greater emphasis on justice, rule of law, and dignity.
• Assisting African countries to better leverage their natural resources for sustainable growth

2. DELIVER DEMOCRATIC & SECURITY DIVIDENDS

The region’s commitment and capacity to renew its democracies, as well as anticipate, prevent, and address emerging and long running conflicts, can lead to more favorable outcomes for Africans and Americans.  The United States can help Africans make positive choices as they decide their future by simultaneously addressing these issues and reaffirming democracy’s tangible benefits.  We will help Africa achieve democratic and security dividends.

• To stem the tide of authoritarianism, military takeovers, we must work with allies and regional partners
• Supporting civil society, empowering marginalized populations, focusing the voices and opinions of youth, and defending fair and free elections
• To improve the ability of African partners to promote regional stability and security,
• Terrorist groups are less of a threat to the U.S. Security of Homeland, Personnel, Diplomatic and Military Facilities

3. ADVANCE PANDEMIC REECOVERY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

It is essential to address two of the region’s most pressing problems: the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic and social consequences.  These challenges have been compounded by supply chain problems and food insecurity stemming from Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.  The United States is committed working with regional governments as well as international partners to help build more stable, inclusive African economies.  We will promote economic opportunity and pandemic recovery, including by:

• Prioritizing policies to end the COVID-19 acute phase and to build capacities to prepare for the next health threat.
• Supporting manufacturing efforts for vaccines and other countermeasures
• Promoting a stronger growth trajectory and debt sustainability to support the region’s economic recovery, including through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), Prosper Africa, Power Africa, Feed the Future, and a new initiative for digital transformation
• Partnering with African countries to rebuild human capital and food systems that were further weakened by the pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine

4. SUPPORT CONSERVATION. CLIMATE ADAPTATION. AND A JUSTENERGY TRANSITION

Africa’s efforts to conserve and restore the continent’s ecosystems and rich natural resources— while also realizing energy access and energy security goals, diversifying its energy mix, and building sustainable supply chains—are central to tackling the global climate crisis.  Despite being a region with very low emissions per head, it is likely to be affected by the worst effects of climate changes.  We support conservation, climate adaptation and a just transition to energy, including by:

• Partnering with governments, civil society, and local communities to conserve, manage, and restore the continent’s rich natural ecosystems
• Assisting countries in adapting to climate change, including strengthening community, economic, supply chain resilience. 
• Collaboration with countries to speed up their transitions towards a clean energy future, access to energy, and security.
• To develop and secure the vital minerals necessary to supply clean energy technologies, we are pursuing public-private partnerships

Distributed by APO Group, on behalf of The White House