Nigeria To Deepen Ties At U.S Africa Leaders Summit
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
President Joe Biden of the United States has invited 49 African heads of state and the head of the African Union to Washington, D.C. for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, holding December 13-15.
The essence of the historic summit is to build and expand vital political, economic, and strategic partnerships, as well as people-to-people dialogue, based on mutual interests and shared priorities in Africa.
A release by the public affairs section of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria notes the summit’s agenda will be packed, including increasing sustainable food production, strengthening health systems, providing humanitarian assistance, responding to the climate crisis, reinforcing democracy and human rights, boosting U.S.-African trade, advancing peace and security, and even enhancing space research and cooperation.
The statement says President Biden believes that U.S. collaboration with African leaders, as well as civil society, business, diaspora, women, and youth leaders, is essential to addressing these shared challenges.
According to the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, the upcoming summit presents opportunities to deepen U.S.-Nigeria bilateral ties on multiple levels. “We look forward not only to the Nigerian government’s robust participation in the summit, but also to hearing the views of all stakeholders in Nigeria’s promising future, including independent voices from the private sector, civil society, young people, women, and all those who are working to build a strong and inclusive democracy.”
The summit, according to the statement, is also an opportunity for the United States and the American people to reiterate their profound and enduring interest in engaging with Africa as a whole.
This is as US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken noted during his trips to Nigeria last year and to other countries in the region earlier this year, Africa’s demographic growth and economic potential will shape not just the future of its people, but also shape the world.
