• Biden invites dozens of regional leaders this week in Washington.
• The three-day summit will focus on the climate problem.
• The conference recognizes Africa’s strategic importance.

President Joe Biden invites dozens of regional leaders this week in Washington, DC for the second US-Africa Leaders Summit.

The three-day summit will focus on the climate problem, good governance, food security, global health, and US-Africa trade and investment prospects.

“The conference… recognizes Africa’s strategic importance.” Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, told reporters Monday that Africa will influence the world’s destiny.

Sullivan invited 49 African leaders and the African Union to the summit.

The talks constitute the largest international meeting in Washington, DC, since before the COVID-19 epidemic.

After four years of Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, Biden has worked to repair Washington’s relationships with other countries and global organizations like the UN.

During that time, the US role in Africa declined, and Biden administration officials have emphasized strengthening ties with like-minded countries in the region.

Sullivan stated Monday that the US will commit $55bn to Africa over the next three years.

China, which the US considers as its principal global competitor, has surpassed Washington in Africa. Russia is rallying support around the continent in reaction to US and ally criticism over the Ukraine crisis.

Leading up to this week’s meetings, Biden administration officials downplayed their fears about China and Russia.

They’ve emphasized including African states in global debates.

White House Adviser Judd Devermont remarked on December 9 that the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health, and security require more African voices.

The Biden administration produced a new policy statement for sub-Saharan Africa in August, highlighting the region’s importance and promising to increase defense cooperation.

In November, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Washington must support Africa with infrastructure.

Blinken said it was time to stop considering Africa as a geopolitical issue and instead as a major actor.

In the previous decade, China has given the region billions of dollars for roads, railways, dams, and power without attaching political or rights-related constraints.

Washington has called Chinese financing exploitative and risky. Instead of providing aid, the US has concentrated on supporting private investment.

Biden will deliver a keynote talk to the US-Africa Business Forum on Wednesday before hosting a dinner for world leaders.

During the summit, the US president is expected to support a permanent spot for the African Union in the G20.

Sullivan said Biden will support UN Security Council reform, including an African permanent member.

“Africa needs permanent seats in international organizations and projects,” Sullivan said.

After months of supply concerns and setbacks due to the Ukraine war, Biden will hold talks on food security on Thursday. Sullivan said he’ll discuss 2023 African elections and democracy with a small number of leaders.

“One of the unique aspects of this summit is the collateral damage the Russian war has inflicted on Africa in terms of food supply and the diversion of development assistance to Ukraine,” said John Stremlau, a visiting professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

Stremlau: “The invasion’s opportunity costs in Africa are considerable.”

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