Developmental and economic benefits that will accrue to Africa after the United States-Africa Leadership Summit, which was held in Washington DC on 4 to 6 August 2014 and status on the American initiative with regard to Africa
QUOTE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 318 (NO2650E) AS APPEARED IN IQP NO: 7-2014 OF 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Ms T E Kenye (ANC) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) (a) What are the developmental and economic benefits that will accrue to Africa after the United States-Africa Leadership Summit which was held in Washington DC on 4 to 6 August 2014 and (b) how is this American initiative with regard to Africa qualitatively different from previous American engagements in Africa;
Reply:
(a) Flowing from the USALS, a number of developmental and economic benefits will accrue to Africa. The US announced the expansion of the Power Africa Initiative with an additional $12 billion and an electricity generation capacity target increased to 30 000 MW, which may include regional initiatives, such as PIDA (Programme Infrastructure Development for Africa). The US Government and private sector committed US$14 billion in new investments to support economic growth across Africa in sectors such as banking, ICT, infrastructure, construction and clean energy. The US also announced a fund of $7 billion for the New Alliance for Good Security and Nutrition.
(b) The Summit was the first-ever major gathering of African leaders with a sitting US President. It therefore allowed African leaders the opportunity to put up a united front in outlining to the US administration, Congress and influential business leaders in the US, what the priorities of Africa are and how the US can support these.
The Summit itself underscored and advanced the narrative of “Africa rising” in that it focussed the attention of the US on the next growth frontier in the world and helped to position the US business community to take advantage of investment opportunities in Africa, in line with the AU’s own socio-economic development projects and priorities outlined in the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development), PIDA (Programme Infrastructure Development for Africa) and the CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme). Furthermore, Africa’s industrialisation was given fresh momentum through concrete plans for key infrastructure initiatives, which is a key strategic objective for Africa.
A significant outcome of the Summit was the ability of the African leaders to persuade the US to buy into and support Africa’s blue-print for socio-economic development.
(2) Was the Government consulted prior to the launch of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders by President Barack Obama; if not, what action did the Government take to ensure proper consultation and cooperation between itself and the United States government on appropriating Mr Mandela; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2650E
Reply
In his address to the National Press Club in Washington DC, on 04 August 2014, President Zuma welcomed the initiative by President Obama, but called for a more inclusive approach to this Fellowship to ensure that Africa’s needs and priorities are addressed. This was against the backdrop of the South African government not being consulted.
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