The capital of Botswana, Gaborone, hosts until Friday the 15th “ US-Africa Business Summit », a business summit between the United States and Africa. On the program, exchanges between political representatives, financial institutions, and companies to try to strengthen trade between Washington and the continent, as President Joe Biden has been trying to do since the start of his term.
With our special correspondent in Gaborone, Claire Bargeles
Seven months after the Summit of Heads of State in Washington, the focus is therefore once again on economic and trade cooperation with this Summit in Gaborone. The Biden administration is thus trying to catch up with China, while Beijing accumulates trade with Africa three times higher than the United States in terms of value, and the continent is, among other things, a valuable source. minerals and metals essential for the energy transition.
What future for AGOA?
Outstanding issues include the future of the agoa, a trade preference system that facilitates access to the US market for African countries. A law that ultimately benefited the whole continent little, and which expires in 2025, while other initiatives such as “Prosper Africa” develop and the continental free trade area (Zlecaf) reshuffle the cards.
But on the agenda for this summit, there is no trace of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, while his country, which benefits the most from AGOA, sees the threat of expulsion, because of its proximity to Russia. On the other hand, other heads of state are announced, including the presidents of Niger, Zambia and Mozambique.
Read alsoInterview – United States/Africa Summit: “Africa has become a geopolitical issue”