Excerpt
GWEN IFILL (NewsHour): We turn now to the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit happening this week in Washington.
The main event today was a business forum, where leaders focused on what they see as a wealth of untapped opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.
President Obama’s appearance highlighted day two of the summit, as he announced billions of dollars in new public and private investment.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We want to build genuine partnerships that create jobs and opportunity for all our peoples and that unleash the next era of African growth.
That’s the kind of partnership America offers. I want Africans buying more American products. I want Americans buying more African products. I know you do, too, and that’s what you’re doing here today.
(APPLAUSE)
GWEN IFILL: U.S. companies plan to spend about $14 billion on everything from construction to banking to clean energy initiatives like wind and solar power.
Former President Bill Clinton, also appearing at the conference, played up business prospects in Africa. In 2000, he signed the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The measure aimed to expand U.S. trade with African countries while encouraging free markets. It is up for renewal next year.
Today, he said investment in the continent remains — quote — “a massive opportunity.”
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