With its wealth of natural and human resources, economic engagement by us/world in Africa will bring about prosperity and help solve poverty and wars.
The 2014 August 4-6 U.S. Africa Leader Summit, the first of its kind and largest event any U.S. President ever held with African heads of state and governments, concluded. President Obama indicated in his speech “I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world–partners with Africa on behalf of the future we want for all our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.”
This summit was designed to boost trade opportunities and forge stronger economic ties between Africa and the US. US Secretary of State John Kerry called on African nations to fight corruption and strengthen democracy. Kerry went on to say that “Democracy is hard work…strong civil society and respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights–these are not just American values, they are universal values.”
This summit comes on the heals of the worst outbreak of deadly Ebola in West Africa, a subject of concern in world health circles and the public at large. Combating Ebola will not only provide a life line to Africa but potentially create treatment, vaccines and cures for a plethora of related viruses and diseases. In addition to health risks, concerns of the security risks posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab were discussed.
It is important to note that Africa is the “land of opportunity.” The International Monetary Fund predicts the continent will experience a 5.8% growth in 2014, and indicates that it is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an expanding middle class.
In 2009, the US was surpassed by China as Africa’s biggest trading partner and the US intends on catching up (the president announced a $14 billion and growing private investment in Africa by US companies. These companies range from construction to energy and banking to information technology).
Africa is rich in natural and human resources. Their economies are growing and their emerging markets represent a great potential for expansion for the stagnating western economies.
And let’s not forget that Africa is where it all began!
Since trade and cooperation between countries is the best antidote to poverty and wars, should we not make a major initiative to engage Africa, assist and support efforts to end conflicts and wars, help stop and fix natural and man made disasters and genocides, and grow our world economy with Africa in the process?
Photo: The Presidency of the rep… /Flicker Photo2: mara.photos /Flicker
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