US President Joe Biden addressed his peers at the end of the Africa Business Forum, which occupied the second day of the meeting, to welcome concrete results.
With our correspondent and our special correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin and Magali Lagrange
Fifteen minutes of speech, to present 15 billion dollars of agreements and contracts signed in one morning in sectors as varied as health, agriculture, transport or new technologies.
Joe Biden was not sulking his pleasure at the time of address the heads of state present in Washington. ” These are long-term investments that will truly benefit people, create new, well-paying jobs, including here in the United States, and expand opportunities for all of our countries for years to come. “, he rejoiced.
” The agreements you have signed, the investments you have made together, are tangible proof of the enduring commitment we have to each other. Government to government, business to business and people to people. More importantly, this is just the beginning, there is still so much more we can do together and will do together. “, he added.
Then, between the business forum and the gala dinner, Joe Biden received the heads of state whose countries are organizing presidential elections next year, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Because during this summit, the United States is also keen to talk about democracy, seen as a value shared with the countries of the continent.
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Improve trade between Niger and Benin
Among the agreements signed, there is notably a partnership to improve transport between Niger and Benin. This agreement aims to facilitate trade within the African continent, explained the American president, a few hours after the signing of the agreement between the American development agency MCC, Benin and Niger, covering 500 millions of dollars.
A regional agreement which must in particular strengthen the road infrastructures which connect the Beninese port of Cotonou to the Nigerien capital Niamey. ” Benin is a strategic partner for the development of Niger because the port of Cotonou is the closest port to Niamey. In addition, there will be investments in infrastructure and institutional reforms that will facilitate the fluidity of trade and interactions between our two countries. said Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum.
For his Beninese counterpart, this agreement launches a new dynamic in cooperation between the United States and African countries. But Patrice Talon would also like to attract more of the private sector: “ I would like to invite, or pray, the American authorities to persevere in this voice and that, soon, we can initiate contacts which will be oriented towards the promotion of private American investments in our countries. Because despite all the efforts that countries are making to improve the business climate, the number of American private investors is low on the continent. “.
Discussions are also underway between MCC and four other African countries: Gambia, Togo, Senegal and Mauritania.