Joint Statement of the United States and African Union on the Launch of a Strategic Investment Working Group
Joint Statement of the United States and African Union on the Launch of a Strategic Investment Working Group
Joint Statement of the United States and African Union on the Launch of a Strategic Investment Working Group
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa. Photo: U.S State Department
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
January 28, 2026
The following joint statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the African Union Commission on the occasion of today’s agreement to establish a Strategic Investment Working Group.
Begin text:
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met today at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Africa relationship through the African Union (AU). Alongside their shared commitment to protecting peace and security on the Continent, they agreed that economic growth forms the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous Africa, and that the development of quality, trade-enabling infrastructure is a critical next step in advancing that growth, informed by the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its flagship priorities, including the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) priority corridors, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In this regard, the Government of the United States and the AUC have agreed to the establishment of a U.S.-AUC Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group (SIWG), to promote and advance U.S.-Africa economic partnerships that create jobs, prosperity, and economic security both in America and across Africa.
The SIWG will serve as a platform for senior officials and technical experts across the U.S. government and AUC to identify and advance opportunities for U.S. private sector investment and engagement in AU-backed infrastructure projects and related initiatives that advance the shared strategic priorities of the United States and the AU, its member states, and Africa’s Regional Economic Communities – enabling trade and logistics infrastructure, as well as continent-wide digital transformation.
These investments will leverage AU convening authority and expertise alongside U.S. capital and innovative financing tools to develop critical minerals and commodities supply chains, transportation corridors, energy networks, and regulatory harmonization, as well as to increase two-way trade, secure digital infrastructure, and improve health security that will make Americans and Africans safer and more prosperous.
As the United States and Africa seek durable, profitable investments to drive economic goals in place of foreign assistance, the SIWG will provide a foundation for strategic economic cooperation that will grow and shape the relationship for years to come.
End text.
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A "Record-Setting" One Year After U.S. Africa Leaders Summit
The progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent, were discussed at this briefing.
Oyiza Adaba, New York
Screen-grab U.S Dept of State Photo.
“President Biden has been clear that African voices belong at the table in every forum where global challenges are discussed”
UPDATE
DECEMBER 12, 2023
The progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent, were discussed at this briefing.
The digital press briefing with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Jonathan Pratt, National Security Council Senior Director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont, and Prosper Africa Coordinator, British Robinson, to discuss the progress made over the last year in implementing the achievements of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and how these efforts highlight the U.S. commitment to the African continent. Q&A with participating journalists followed.
HIGHLIGHTS
Commitment: $55 billion to Africa over three years and over 40 percent achievement in year one;
The mobilization of more than $8 billion in public and private sector investments in climate and food security, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion across Africa;
An “unprecedented pace” of Africa Visits: All together, 17 senior U.S. Government officials have visited 26 countries in Africa.
Advocating for a third seat for sub-Saharan Africa on the IMF board, and for permanent representation for Africa at the UN Security Council.
$600 billion for a flagship economic corridor called Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, PGII, initiative.
White House meeting with President Lourenço of Angola in November and the investment of more than $1.5 billion in the Lobito Corridor for transportation, digital access, agriculture, and clean energy infrastructure projects like solar projects and the bridge infrastructure in Angola and commercial aircraft in Ethiopia.
Digital Transformation with Africa initiative is a flagship effort to expand digital access in Africa is aligned with the priorities outlined in the African Union’s digital transformation strategy;
Rally private sector interest in supporting DTA - a $350 million target
with $82 million already invested;
USTDA has funded 12 digital infrastructure activities across Africa and launched the Africa Data Centers in Ghana and Kenya';
Vice President Harris in March launched the Women in Digital Economy Fund to accelerate the closing of the gender gap with $30 million of initial funding from USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates.
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U.S VP Harris holds BiLat w/Ghana President, Visits Recording Studio and Attends State Banquet
On Monday, March 26th, Vice President Harris will have her first full day in Ghana, which will include a bilateral meeting with President Akufo-Addo. She will then visit Vibrate studio, a community recording studio for young creatives in Accra. And finally, she will attend a State Banquet hosted by President Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
U.S. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
By Oyiza Adaba
On Monday, March 26th, Vice President Harris will have her first full day in Ghana, which will include a bilateral meeting with President Akufo-Addo. She will then visit Vibrate studio, a community recording studio for young creatives in Accra. And finally, she will attend a State Banquet hosted by President Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO OF GHANA
Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana at Jubilee House and affirm the strength of our bilateral relationship, and the long-standing ties between the American and Ghanaian people.
The Vice President and President Akufo-Addo will discuss a range of global and regional issues including: democracy, good governance, and human rights; regional security; long-term economic growth and macroeconomic stability; and our work together on the UN Security Council.
On democracy, good governance, and human rights, they will discuss efforts to stand up for democratic principles on the continent and our shared opposition to recent democratic backsliding.
On regional security, they will discuss the Sahel and efforts to promote stability, including through new U.S. funding for stabilization efforts.
On debt, the Vice President will re-affirm the U.S. position that all bilateral creditors should provide meaningful debt reduction and express support for Ghana’s engagement with the IMF. They will also discuss efforts to support long term economic growth and increase U.S. private sector investment.
The Vice President will thank President Akufo-Addo for his leadership in strengthening ties between Africa and the African Diaspora.
VISIT TO VIBRATE SPACE
Vice President Harris will visit Vibrate Space, a community recording studio for young creatives located at Freedom Skatepark in Accra, as part of her effort to engage directly with young people and highlight the dynamism and creativity taking place across the continent. There, she will tour the facility and meet with a group of musicians including up-and-coming artists that represent the new generation of Ghanaian and Ghanaian-American entertainers. Her visit will spotlight the growing creative economy and underscore the strong links between our nation’s artistic and diaspora communities. The Vice President will be joined by Actors Idris Elba and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Vibrate opened in 2022 in partnership with Kendrick Lamar’s company pgLang, Spotify, and local sports NGO Surf Ghana. Vibrate aims to empower young people by equipping aspiring music entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to compete in the global music market.
Additional background on Vibrate Space and Ghanian music industry:
Vibrate runs a music business educational program that includes public workshops (called “masterclasses”) dedicated to acquiring hands-on skills like recording, mixing, mastering, and DJing to cater to the diverse needs of Ghana’s dynamic music industry. Previous masterclasses have attracted more than 200 people at each session to learn about live performances, songwriting, and producing from musicians from Nigeria, South Africa, and other parts of the continent.
Vibrate is located at Freedom Skatepark, Ghana’s first fully functioning skateboard park, which uses action sports as a driver for creative self-expression, social inclusion, and female empowerment.
Accra has developed a reputation as a music destination after attracting huge crowds to the Global Citizen Festival, Afronation, Afrochella, and the Black Star Line Festival between September 2022 and January 2023.
Kendrick Lamar chose to release his latest album in May 2022 while in Accra. Freedom Skatepark has drawn visits from well-known American artists traveling to Ghana, including Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and Pharrell Williams, as well as partnerships with the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh and Vans.
STATE BANQUET
President Akufo-Addo will be a hosting a State Banquet in honor of the Vice President and Second Gentleman’s visit to Accra, Ghana. Approximately 300 guests, invited by the Ghanian government, will attend, including several dozen prominent members of the African Diaspora in the United States. Additional information on the guest list will be forthcoming.
____________________
Ernesto ‘Ernie’ Apreza
Office of the Vice President
Deputy Press Secretary
c: 202.881.8800 | e: ernesto.apreza@ovp.eop.gov
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US VP Kamala Harris Delivers Speech at Blackstar Gate in Accra, Ghana
Information about the Vice President’s speech at Blackstar Gate tomorrow, including excerpts, are below.
U.S. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
africa-related new york
Information about the Vice President’s speech at Blackstar Gate, including excerpts, are below.
On background attributed to a White House Official:
Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks to thousands of young people at Blackstar Gate in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday, March 27.
The Vice President will express her optimism about the future of Africa, and by extension, the world, because of the ingenuity, and creativity that is prevalent across the continent, especially in young people.
The speech centers around the theme of innovation—and she will argue that alongside our African partners, we all must invest in innovation on the continent, which will unlock growth and opportunity and provide global benefits.
She will highlight innovative developments taking place across the continent and make clear that they are benefitting the entire world—from tech, agriculture, clean energy, and science. The Vice President is using her platform to call more global attention to the dynamism and entrepreneurship across the continent.
The Vice President will also outline three areas in particular that are a focus for her trip and moving forward—areas where she believes we must make progress to unlock even more innovation: the empowerment of women, digital inclusion, and good governance and democracy.
On the empowerment of women, the Vice President will argue that women around the world must be able to full participate in economic, political, and social life, that they must be able to participate equally, including in leadership roles. She will make the case that this is key to maximizing global growth and opportunity, and will call for progress in addressing gender disparities.
On digital inclusion, the Vice President will make clear that digital services are essential to 21st century economies, and while there are places on the continent of Africa that lead the world in digital solutions, other parts of the continent lag behind. She will make the case that we must expand access to the internet and ensure African people fully benefit from connectivity, whether that is access to education, access to information, or access to financial services. She will commit to work the private sector to unleash growth and opportunity and increase digital inclusion on the continent.
On good governance and democracy, the Vice President will argue that alongside our African partners, we must support and invest in good governance and democracy. She will outline the benefits of good governance for investments. She will underscore the desires of African people for democracy, which we share, and outline the benefits, including freedom and opportunity.
In addition, the Vice President will outline our approach to partnership with African nations and African people, building on President Biden’s statement at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022 that “we’re all in on Africa.”
The Vice President will make clear that our Administration will strengthen partnerships across the continent—with governments, the private sector, civil society, and young people.
Excerpts
Quotes Attributed to Vice President Kamala Harris:
“So, then what does it mean that the United States of America is All In.
“That means the United States is committed to strengthen our partnerships across the continent of Africa—partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society and all of you, partnerships based on openness, inclusiveness, candor, shared interests, and mutual benefits.
“And to be clear, America will be guided not by what we can do FOR our African partners, but what we can do WITH our African partners.
“Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. And today I will speak about one particular area of opportunity: Investment in innovation.
“Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. And today I will speak about one particular area of opportunity: Investment in innovation.
“Innovation is the pursuit of what can be, unburdened by what has been.
“Innovation results in one’s ability not only to see but do things differently: new methods, new products, new approaches, new ideas.
“We innovate to be more effective and to solve problems. From the invention of new technology,
to the origin of social movements, innovation has come about by challenging the premise, questioning the status quo, and bold thinking.
“And to the young leaders here today, you by your very nature are dreamers and innovators. And to you I say, it is your spark, your creativity, and your determination that will drive the future.
“And with that African ideas and innovations will shape the future of the world, and so we must invest
in African ingenuity and creativity, which will unlock incredible economic growth and opportunities-- not only for the people of the 54 countries that make up this diverse continent, but also for the American people and people around the world.
“So, the Biden-Harris Administration and the American people stand ready to partner with you to help accelerate the innovation and entrepreneurship that is already underway.”
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U.S Vice President Kamala Harris To Visit Three African Countries
U.S Vice President Kamala Harris plans a week-long visit to three African countries Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia with technology, economic development, security and government partnerships as its main concerns.
V=U.S Vice President Kamala Harris
U.S. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
March 24, 2023
The week-long visit to three African countries Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia has technology, economic development, security and government partnerships as its main concerns.