The United States-Africa relations are back in the spotlight, and investment is the word of the hour. Crafting mutually beneficial relations will depend on developing a credible pipeline of bankable and sustainable projects on the African continent.
The launch of the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022 have set the stage for 2023 to be a year of action on infrastructure development. This comes at a critical time for Africa.
The last two decades of engagement have seen marked and welcomed shifts from aid to trade and now to investment. By 2050, a quarter of the world’s population will be African, making the continent an increasingly important global player in shaping the world’s future. The 2022 summit’s agenda included critical issues such as inclusive economic growth, job creation, climate change, and scaling infrastructure development that addresses all three imperatives.
About the authors
Alain Ebobissé
Alain Ebobissé is CEO of Africa50, the Pan-African infrastructure investment platform, with 34 shareholders, comprised of 31 African countries, the African Development Bank, the Central Bank of West African States, and Bank Al-Maghrib. Prior to joining Africa50, he served as global head for World Bank Group’s Global Infrastructure Project Development Fund, where he led development and investment in numerous infrastructure projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He also served as chief investment officer in the global infrastructure and natural resources department at International Finance Corporation.
Enoh Ebong
Enoh Ebong is the director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate, she leads USTDA in its efforts to develop sustainable infrastructure in emerging economies. Ebong previously served as USTDA’s deputy director/chief operating officer and as general counsel.
