WASHINGTON — The U.S. Agency for International Development’s work in Africa seems to have many of the same focuses as the agency has a whole — increasing private sector engagement and helping countries on their “journey to self-reliance.” But behind those intentions is also an effort to make the U.S. the “partner of choice” for countries on the continent as they look to work with others, including China.
It has been clear in language from top USAID leadership that the U.S. wants to differentiate its form of development from China’s, which has been described as predatory or taking advantage of African countries.
USAID wants to ensure that African partners have a choice in development partners and that they recognize the benefits of a partnership with the U.S., said Christopher Maloney, USAID’s acting assistant administrator for the Bureau for Africa, in an interview with Devex.