August 4-6

“I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world – partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.”

President Obama

President Obama welcomed leaders from across the African continent to the nation’s capital for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the first such event of its kind. The Summit, the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government, built on the President’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and aimed to strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions. Specifically, the August 4-6 Summit advanced the Administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlighted America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people. At the same time, it highlighted the depth and breadth of the United States’ commitment to the African continent, advanced our shared priorities, and enabled discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership. At its core, the Summit was about fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa.

The theme of the Summit was "Investing in the Next Generation." Focusing on the next generation is at the core of a government’s responsibility and work, and this Summit provided an opportunity to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generation.

Program of Events

View a PDF of the schedule.

Throughout the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, African leaders had the opportunity to engage with President Obama, his Cabinet members, and other key leaders, including business executives from the U.S. and Africa, Members of Congress, and members of civil society.

Discussions centered on how to encourage progress in key areas that Africans define as critical for the future of the continent: expanding trade and investment ties, engaging young African leaders, promoting inclusive sustainable development, expanding cooperation on peace and security, and gaining a better future for Africa’s next generation.

President Obama invited all African heads of state or government in good standing with the United States and the African Union to attend the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. An invitation was also extended to the African Union Chairperson.

We were pleased to welcome the following participating countries, whose Heads of Delegation are listed below:

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Read the background Papers for each participating country.

  • Algeria: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal
  • Angola: Delegation headed by Vice President Manuel Domingos Vicente
  • Benin: Delegation headed by President Boni Yayi
  • Botswana: Delegation headed by Foreign Minister PhAndu Tombola Chanda Skelemani
  • Burkina Faso: Delegation headed by President Blaise Compaore
  • Burundi: Delegation headed by President Pierre Nkurunziza
  • Cabo Verde: Delegation headed by President Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca
  • Cameroon: Delegation headed by President Paul Biya
  • Chad: Delegation headed by President Idriss Deby Itno
  • Comoros: Delegation headed by President Ikililou Dhoinine
  • Cote d’Ivoire: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: Delegation headed by President Joseph Kabila Kabange
  • Djibouti: Delegation headed by President Ismail Omar Guelleh
  • Egypt: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab
  • Equatorial Guinea: Delegation headed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
  • Ethiopia: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe
  • Gabon: Delegation headed by President Ali Bongo Ondimba
  • Ghana: Delegation headed by President John Dramani Mahama
  • Guinea: Delegation headed by President Alpha Condé
  • Guinea Bissau: Delegation headed by President Jose Mario Vaz
  • Kenya: Delegation headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta
  • Lesotho: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas Thabane
  • Liberia: Delegation headed by Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
  • Libya: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Abdalla Alteni
  • Madagascar: Delegation headed by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina
  • Malawi: Delegation headed by President Arthur Peter Mutharika
  • Mali: Delegation headed by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
  • Mauritania: Delegation headed by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
  • Mauritius: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam
  • Morocco: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Abdel-Ilah Benkiran
  • Mozambique: Delegation headed by President Armando Emílio Guebuza
  • Namibia: Delegation headed by President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba
  • Niger: Delegation headed by President Issoufou Mahamadou
  • Nigeria: Delegation headed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
  • Republic of the Congo: Delegation headed by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso
  • Rwanda: Delegation headed by President Paul Kagame
  • São Tomé and Príncipe: Delegation headed by Prime Minister Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira da Costa
  • Senegal: Delegation headed by President Macky Sall
  • Seychelles: Delegation headed by President James Alix Michel
  • Sierra Leone: Delegation headed by Foreign Minister Samura Kamara
  • Somalia: Delegation headed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
  • South Africa: Delegation headed by President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
  • South Sudan: Delegation headed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit
  • Swaziland: Delegation headed by King Mswati III
  • Tanzania: Delegation headed by President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
  • The Gambia: Delegation headed by President Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh
  • Togo: Delegation headed by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé
  • Tunisia: Delegation headed by President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki
  • Uganda: Delegation headed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
  • Zambia: Delegation headed by Vice President Guy Scott

 

 

 

Description of Events

AUGUST 1

Signature Events
The Summit included six U.S. Government-sponsored “Signature Events,” allowing for in-depth conversations on some of the most pressing issues facing the U.S.-Africa partnership. These sessions set the stage for the high-level discussions that President Obama chaired during the subsequent Summit leader meetings.

Faith Works: Honoring the Contributions of the Faith Community to Peace and Prosperity in Africa
The “Faith Works: Honoring the Contributions of the Faith Community to Peace and Prosperity in Africa” Signature Event was the first official event of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and took place on the morning of August 1. The session brought together a diverse cross-section of religious leaders and faith-based organizations, U.S. Government officials, and African leaders to recognize the significant role the faith community plays in advancing peace, prosperity, and development throughout Africa. The event was also an opportunity for the faith community to provide input into the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Across Africa, faith-based organizations have helped to lift up vulnerable populations and contribute to improving lives. From building peace and promoting human rights, to improving agriculture, from boosting literacy rates, to providing urgently needed relief and assistance in the most dangerous places, the faith community is helping to invest in the next generation.
 

AUGUST 4

Signature Events
On August 4, the Summit held the following Signature Events:

Civil Society Forum
The "Civil Society Forum" Signature Event was convened on the morning of August 4 by Secretary of State Kerry and brought together U.S. and African government leaders, members of African and U.S. civil society and the diaspora, and private sector leaders. The Forum focused on leveraging the knowledge and experience of citizens and civil society to solve the key challenges of our time, and highlighted the importance of civic space to social entrepreneurship, civic innovation and development. The Forum also highlighted the importance of safeguarding civic space in order to spur social entrepreneurship, civic innovation, and development. The Forum consisted of three components: a set of thematic breakout sessions on key issues, including governance and transparency, trade and investment, and an afternoon session on labor issues; a keynote address; and a Global Town Hall with African Leaders moderated by Secretary Kerry. Interested parties also had the opportunity to submit short video questions via YouTube and Twitter in advance of the Forum.

Read the key recommendations from civil society for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Civil Society Forum:

Investing in Women, Peace, and Prosperity
The "Investing in Women, Peace, and Prosperity" Signature Event recognized that African women’s leadership and meaningful participation at all levels — in government, the economy, and civil society — accelerates economic development, improves health and educational indicators, advances democratic development, and improves the safety and security of all of their citizens. The discussion underscored the importance of supporting African women’s leadership and meaningful participation across all sectors of society. It specifically highlighted promising practices and reinforce U.S.-African partnerships in expanding economic opportunity for women, promoting civic and political leadership for women and girls, and increasing women’s meaningful roles in conflict prevention, peace-building, and security decision-making.

Dr. Jill Biden speaks during a luncheon at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit:

Investing in Health: Investing in Africa's Future
The "Investing in Health: Investing in Africa’s Future" Signature Event brought together senior U.S. government officials, African leaders, Ministers of Health, and senior health policymakers envisioning the future of U.S.-African global health partnerships in achieving global health security, promoting science and health, reaching an AIDS-free generation, and ending preventable child and maternal deaths.

This discussion highlighted the decades-long U.S.-African health partnership that has saved and improved millions of lives. It also provided an opportunity for U.S. and African leaders to agree on how we can further advance our shared health and development goals through our strong partnerships.
 
Resilience and Food Security in a Changing Climate
The "Resilience and Food Security in a Changing Climate" Signature Event highlighted three critical and interrelated areas in the U.S-Africa relationship: food security, climate change, and resilience. These issues are of particular concern for African nations, where the majority of rural populations rely on rain-fed agriculture. More productive agricultural systems will help transform lives, communities, and nations by generating income and by freeing resources for rural populations to participate in additional sectors of the economy. However, progress in this regard is threatened by the worsening impacts of climate change, including more frequent and extreme weather events and their negative impacts on agriculture and other rural livelihoods. Climate shocks, as well as shocks caused by other environmental, social and economic disturbances, undercut household and community stability and resilience, and erode hard-won development gains. The event highlighted how climate change and variability are impacting food security in Africa, and how key U.S. initiatives align with the commitments of African leaders to bolster the resilience of people, households, communities, and systems.

Dr. Jill Biden delivers remarks at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on resilience and food security in a changing climate:

Combating Wildlife Trafficking
The "Combating Wildlife Trafficking" Signature Event provided an opportunity for African leaders to join together and share their ideas on how to best counter the poaching threat and inspire African youth to safeguard their natural heritage for future generations. The United States seeks African perspectives on wildlife trafficking, poaching, and protection of natural resources to inform future efforts in this arena. oung African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Fellows were also included in the event, in a hope to mobilize the next generation of African leaders in wildlife conservation through national, regional, and community-based solutions.

Wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise that is a critical conservation concern and global security threat. This past February, President Obama approved a new National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking that underscores the United States' commitment to help stem this illegal trade that is decimating species and undermining security across nations. Event participants included members of African delegations, YALI fellows, officials from United States Government Task Force agencies and departments, NGOs, and the U.S. Congress.
 

AGOA Forum
To further demonstrate our commitment to the sustainable economic growth and development in Africa U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman hosted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Ministerial at the World Bank. African and U.S. trade officials discussed the future of the AGOA program and U.S. plans to pursue renewal of AGOA legislation.

Capitol Hill Reception
The Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees hosted a welcome reception for African leaders on Capitol Hill in the afternoon.

AUGUST 5

U.S.-Africa Business Forum
On August 5, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies co-hosted the first U.S.-Africa Business Forum, a day focused on strengthening trade and financial ties between the United States and Africa. President Obama participated in the Business Forum along with Secretary Pritzker and Mayor Bloomberg, as well as other senior U.S. government officials. Held at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., the U.S.-Africa Business Forum aimed to intensify efforts to strengthen trade and financial ties between the United States and Africa, and to create partnerships that will promote trade, accelerate job growth, and encourage investment. The Forum focused on U.S. private-sector engagement in Africa in the areas of finance and capital investment; infrastructure; power and energy; agriculture; consumer goods; and information and communication technology. African leaders engaged with business executives from both sides of the Atlantic in conversations about successes and solutions to increase trade with and invest in Africa. President Obama also participated in the conversation with CEOs and government leaders from the United States and Africa.


President Obama Delivers Remarks

The Vice President Delivers Remarks to the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Business Forum

See the U.S.-Africa Business Forum official website

See the lists of Business Forum attendees:

Read an update on Nimna, the young entrepeneur whom President Obama met last year in Senegal and was featured in his remarks at the Business Forum

White House Dinner on the occasion of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
On the evening of August 5, President and Mrs. Obama hosted a dinner at the White House for African heads of state and government and select guests.

See more details about the dinner, and take a look at the leaders' photos with the President and the First Lady.

President Obama Speaks at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Dinner

AUGUST 6

Summit Leader Meetings
African leaders and President Obama engaged in dialogue in three action-oriented sessions that addressed issues of shared interest and mutual concern.

Leader Session I - Investing in Africa’s Future
The opening session discussed inclusive, sustainable development, economic growth, and trade and investment.


President Obama Participates in the Session

Leader Session II - Peace and Regional Stability
A working lunch centered around shared concerns regarding peace and security, including a discussion of long-term solutions to regional conflicts, peacekeeping challenges, and combating transnational threats.

Leader Session III - Governing for the Next Generation
This session allowed for a candid conversation about the greatest challenges and opportunities for Africa’s continued political and economic progress and a specific focus on governance. The session focused on how to enhance governance in order to deliver services to citizens, attract and prepare for increased domestic and foreign direct investment, manage transnational threats, and stem the flow of illicit finance.

Leader Press Conferences


President Obama Holds a Press Conference


Spousal Program
First Lady Michelle Obama, in partnership with former First Lady Laura Bush and the Bush Institute, hosted a day-long spouses symposium at the Kennedy Center focused on the impact of investments in education, health, and public-private partnerships.

A Conversation with The First Lady and Mrs. Laura Bush

Dr. Jill Biden Speaks on Creating Opportunities for Young Women Leaders


A Dialogue with African CEOs
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks and the Congressional Black Caucus Africa Task Force hosted “A Dialogue with African CEOs,” entailing panel discussions and networking with African business and political leaders, U.S. private-sector representatives, and members of Congress.

Media

Any media-related questions should be directed to the U.S. Media Coordinator’s Office, at AfricaSummitMedia@state.gov.

Side Events

In order to leverage the presence in Washington, D.C. of so many African leaders as well as the intense interest in U.S.-Africa ties that the Summit has engendered, a number of non-government actors — the private sector and non-profit organizations — organized events along the margins to coincide with the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

National Statements

The historic U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit was an action-oriented, dynamic opportunity to discuss issues of concern to our African partners and the United States. Below are the national statements produced in advance by participating countries to allow maximum time for open discussion and exchange of ideas during the Summit events.

View all statements

YALI

YALI / Young African Leaders Initiative / logoPresident Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in 2010 to support young leaders with opportunities and resources. Through YALI, the United States is committing significant resources to enhance leadership skills, bolster entrepreneurship, and connect young African leaders with one another, with the United States, and with the American people. Investing in the next generation of African leaders is critical to ensuring the success of Africa’s democracies and its economies.

July 28, 2014
The President Holds a Town Hall with Young African Leaders

The Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the exchange program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This program brings over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014, for leadership training, academic coursework, and mentoring. It also creates unique opportunities in Africa, through internships and follow-on opportunities, to put those new skills to practical use in propelling economic growth and prosperity and strengthening democratic institutions. To be part of the YALI Network, follow @YALINetwork on Twitter or find us on Facebook.

For more information on YALI, please visit YoungAfricanLeaders.state.gov.

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