On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the United States announced the signing of groundbreaking trade agreements with Africa, totaling an impressive $14.2 billion this year. This development unfolds amid a strategic competition with China for influence across the continent.
The coordinator of the US-led Prosper Africa trade initiative, British Robinson, disclosed that almost 550 new trade and investment agreements were inked. This represents a remarkable 67% surge in both quantity and value compared to 2022.
Judd Devermont, a White House official overseeing sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the significance of this achievement in U.S.-Africa relations. Speaking during an online press conference, he emphasized, “We’ve had a record year for U.S.-Africa relations.” The announcement came a year after a summit with African leaders, where President Joe Biden pledged to go all out in supporting the continent.
In a bid to counter China’s expanding influence in Africa, Washington, in December, committed to investing $55 billion over three years. Mr. Devermont provided an update, noting that the United States has already fulfilled over 40% of these commitments. He expressed optimism about surpassing 70% of the targets by the end of the second year of the three-year plan.
