Africa has many success stories among its 54 countries. Yet, because there are undeniably serious problems in some regions, they do not receive the attention they deserve. Nine of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies of the past two decades are in Africa, and poverty is declining while education and health are improving. Yet both the media headlines and America’s priorities are too often concerned only with terrorism, outbreaks of violence, or Ebola.
This week’s US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington offers President Barack Obama a chance to refocus US foreign policy.
The big strategic issue facing the US in Africa today is to find the right balance between building new drone bases to fight terrorism and strengthening business relations that sustain mutually-beneficial economic and social development. While the US’s militaristic emphasis may be understandable, its foreign policy in Africa should shift significantly toward support for trade, finance, and cultural co-operation.