The United States and African partners are working together to end the COVID-19 pandemic, fight climate change and foster economic growth.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with African leaders during a November 15–20 trip to Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal to advance partnerships that tackle 21st-century challenges.
In meetings with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Senegalese President Macky Sall, Blinken highlighted Africa’s vital role in delivering a safe and prosperous future.
“On most of the urgent challenges and opportunities we face, Africa will make the difference,” Blinken told a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States November 19 in Abuja, Nigeria. “I believe Africa will shape the future — and not just the future of the African people but of the world.”
Ending the COVID-19 pandemic
During his trip, Blinken toured the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal where the United States supports the development of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing. Institute Director Dr. Amadou Sall said the U.S. and Senegal have been long-standing partners in research, and that “today, this collaboration is even more vibrant and active.”
The United States has donated 903,990 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Senegal, part of more than 80 million doses the U.S. has provided to African countries, and more than 250 million U.S.-donated doses provided worldwide. The U.S. COVID-19 vaccines donations are free, with no strings attached.
Since 2020, the U.S. has provided $10.7 million for Senegal’s COVID-19 response, part of more than $880 million in total U.S. assistance for health care in Senegal.
The United States is making good on our commitment to provide COVID vaccines to the world. To date, we have provided more than 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and more than $1.9 billion in COVID-related assistance to African countries, with no strings attached. pic.twitter.com/jdoDk4e7yS
— Department of State (@StateDept) November 24, 2021
Blinken also announced that Kenya will be the first nation to join Global COVID Corps, a new private sector partnership making U.S. business expertise available to solve logistical challenges in partner nations and quickly get vaccines in arms.
Fighting climate change
Africa holds the world’s greatest potential for renewable energy development, Blinken said, noting U.S. investment in Africa’s green economy. In Kenya alone, $600 million has created more than 40,000 clean energy jobs in renewable energy projects.
The United States also supports renewable energy in Africa through:
- Solar projects in Botswana, Namibia and Nigeria.
- Wind farms in Senegal and Kenya.
- An effort to connect millions of homes and businesses to renewable energy through the U.S. Agency for International Development Power Africa program.
Speaking at Kenya’s Karura Forest November 17, Blinken announced National Geographic Kids Africa, a new collaboration of the U.S. government, the Walt Disney Company and the WildlifeDirect conservation group. The program will seek to inspire Africa’s youth to address climate change through a TV series and other outreach efforts.
Strengthening economic growth
During his trip, Blinken also advanced U.S. support for inclusive, sustainable economic growth in Africa by:
- Signing a $2.1 billion economic development agreement to support health, education, agriculture and good governance projects.
- Joining four U.S. companies in signing infrastructure agreements in Senegal.
Blinken also met with digital entrepreneurs and innovators in Nigeria and female business and technology leaders in Senegal.
“We want to help create the kind of opportunity that doesn’t benefit only the well-off but creates good jobs for people at every income level,” Blinken said. That kind of growth “lays the foundation for more inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth for years to come.”