CGD event with Michael Froman was covered by Devex.
From the article:
The White House released a new strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa in June that focuses on economic growth. And on July 31, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton started her 11-day meeting spree across six African countries.
“The focus has shifted from how much aid has been provided to how to create an enabling environment for trade,” said Michael Froman, deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs.
A focus on “soft infrastructure” such as information technology at African borders and ports should be an important leverage point in creating a more enabling trade and business environment, Froman said. A truck full of rotting tomatoes unable to be shipped to markets was not a sign of improper tariffs but the need for things like a one-stop border post and transparent regulatory environment, he said.
Froman made his remarks at the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C, after recently returning from an interagency delegation to Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.
The focus on economic growth, trade and investment was part of a new strategy that the White House announced June 14. The other three priorities are strengthening democratic institutions, advancing peace and security, and promoting opportunity and development.