U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

Overview

Africa will shape the future — not just the future of the African people, but of the world. Rooted in this recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical player, President Biden invited leaders from across the African continent to Washington, DC on December 13-15, 2022 for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. President Biden believes U.S. collaboration with African leaders, as well as civil society, business, diaspora, women, and youth leaders, is essential to unlocking the potential of this decisive decade.

“Africa’s success is the world’s success.”
Joseph R. Biden
President of the United States

The 3-day summit continued efforts to strengthen ties with African partners based on principles of mutual respect and shared interests and values. It also served as an opportunity to listen to and collaborate with African counterparts on key areas the United States and Africa define as critical for the future of the continent and our global community. The summit built on our shared values to:

S quote: “Africa is a major geopolitical force. It’s one that has shaped our past, it’s shaping our present, and it will shape our future.”

better foster new economic engagement;
reinforce the U.S.-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights;
mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and of future pandemics;
work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health;
promote food security;
advance peace and security;
respond to the climate crisis; and
amplify diaspora ties.

Delegations from all 49 invited African countries and the African Union, alongside members of civil society and the private sector attended the summit. The President, Vice President, and members of the Cabinet engaged extensively with leaders throughout the Summit.

The first day kicked off with a focus on the vital role of civil society and the strength of our African diaspora communities in the United States. It featured sessions on topics ranging from trade and investment; to health and climate change; to peace, security, and governance; to space cooperation.

The second day focused on increasing two-way trade and investment at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum. CEOs and private sector leadership from over 300 American and African companies convened with the Heads of Delegation to catalyze investment in critical sectors, including health, infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and digital.

President Biden closed the Business Forum with remarks. Afterwards, he hosted a small group of leaders at the White House for a discussion on upcoming presidential elections in 2023 and U.S. support for free, fair, and credible polls in Africa. He then hosted all 50 Heads of Delegation and their spouses for dinner at the White House.

The third and final day was dedicated to high-level discussions among leaders, with President Biden opening the day with a session on partnering on Agenda 2063—the African Union’s strategic vision for the continent. Next, Vice President Harris chaired a working lunch. The President closed the day with a discussion on food security and food systems resilience, a critical issue for our African partners who have been disproportionately impacted by the rise in food and fertilizer prices and disruptions to global supply chains as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

convention center lobby, summit branding is the focus on the left, people on the right out of focus

people seated at table with microphones, white flowers in foreground

four people seated at round table smiling at camera, four flags and additional people sitting in background

woman speaking on stage, U.S.-Africa Business Forum branding in background

First Lady Jill Biden speaking, podium says "Cancer Moonshot President Joe Biden"

women seated listening to off-camera speaker

President Biden speaking at podium, business forum branding in background

Secretary Blinken and a woman conversing at a dinner table

multiple rows of desks and chairs arranged in a semi-circle, large screen and summit branding in background

line of African flags appear under the text "Washington, DC"

behind the scenes view of monitors with different camera feeds during the plenary session, primary focus on Zambia

a woman is seated at a table during the plenary lunch

President Biden and Secretary Blinken seated in the plenary room

U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Day 3

President of the United States T.H. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. during the Plenary 1 at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, December 15, 2022 (Ben Solomon/U.S. Department of State)