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US President Joe Biden addressed his colleagues at the end of the Africa Business Forum, which occupied the second day of the meeting, to salute the concrete results.
With our correspondent and special envoy 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 diverse as health, agriculture, transport or new technologies.
Joe Biden wasn’t sulking for 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 good-paying jobs, including here in the United States, and expand opportunities for all of our countries for years to come. “, he rejoices.
« The deals you’ve signed, the investments you’ve made together, are tangible proof of the lasting commitment we have to one another. From government to government, from company to company and from people to people. Most 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 next year’s presidential elections, including Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria. Because during this summit the United States are also keen to talk about democracy, seen as a value shared with the countries of the continent.
► Also read: Seven things to know about Africa/US relations: a perspective
Improving trade between Niger and Benin
Among the agreements signed, there is in particular 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, for a value of 500 million dollars.
A regional agreement that must strengthen in particular the road infrastructures that connect the Beninese port of Cotonou to the Niger 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 exchanges and interactions between our two countries. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum said.
For its Beninese counterpart, this agreement initiates 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, contacts can be established that are oriented towards the promotion of private American investments in our countries. Because despite all the efforts countries are making to improve the business climate, the number of American private investors is low on the continent. ».
Discussions are also ongoing between the MCC and four other African countries: The Gambia, Togo, Senegal and Mauritania.
