U.S. Deputy Sec. of Commerce Don Graves and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) share the belief that the U.S. has a role to play in the rapid economic transformation occurring in sub-Saharan countries in Africa.
The Biden-Harris administration's "bold vision" for partnership opportunities with Africa "comes at the right time," Graves and Meeks wrote in a co-authored opinion piece published Dec. 2 by the Department of Commerce (DOC).
"Africa’s economic transformation," they wrote," — spurred by its young and rapidly urbanising populations, digitalisation initiatives, abundant natural and human resources, and a continent-wide commitment to free trade — has proceeded rapidly."
Graves and Meeks caution in the op-ed that global conditions such as inflation, increasing debt and climate change present "significant risks and uncertainties" in sub-Saharan countries that are being exacerbated by Russia's war on Ukraine, which is "contributing to food, fertiliser, and energy price shocks that are further burdening the continent."
The co-authors state in the op-ed that the Biden administration and many members of Congress understand "that the US and African countries are indispensable partners in charting a path out of these current crises."
"Working together holds the promise of realising the tremendous potential that trade, investment, and commerce offer partners on both sides of the Atlantic," they wrote, in keeping with the long-term goals of the African Union for the continent.
Graves and Meeks wrote that African leaders are "evermore vocal" about the importance of commercial relationships between African and American businesses.
"They often view US private industry and finance as partners of choice," they state in the op-ed, "while American companies typically offer superior technology and quality of equipment and services."
The duo state African business leaders have a "strong record of investing in local talent, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing access to more transparent commercial financing.
"Time and again, we have seen these investments in local talent lead to the creation of African businesses and jobs, and in many cases, a virtuous cycle of long-term partnership with American companies," Graves and Meek wrote.
They state that "(d)iaspora-led US companies" bring additional benefits such as "awareness of African markets, consumer preferences and local environments."
“We believe that the U.S.-Africa partnership can be a quintessential 21st-century partnership," they wrote in the op-ed, "one shaped by visionary contributions from the private sector, women and youth, as well as diaspora communities."
