Listen to the audio here.
On March 7, Todd Moss spoke to members and guests of the World Affairs Council on Hilton Head Island about the opportunities and risks posed to U.S. foreign policy by a rising Africa, as well as the U.S. response so far.
In the mind of many Americans, Africa invokes images or famine or Blackhawk Down. But the continent is increasingly democratic and is now the home to six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Investors around the world are looking afresh at opportunities in Africa, especially to meet rapidly expanding consumer demand. At the same time, U.S. national security is also pushing Africa higher up the U.S. foreign policy agenda. In short, Africa is more important to the U.S. than ever before.
President Clinton launched a major trade initiative with Africa, while President Bush made major new commitments to working with African partners to promote security and health. Yet, the Obama Administration seems to have lost momentum. The president’s June trip to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania along with a recently announced energy initiative, Power Africa, might be enough to turn things around.
