Key issues as Biden hosts 49 African leaders

Give us some background on the US-Africa leaders summit.

The roots of the summit were actually hatched here in Tanzania. President Obama visited President Kikwete during his term in office, and it was during those discussions with Kikwete and two other African countries he visited on that trip that the idea and inspiration for the first African leaders summit were created. Out of those discussions with the three African leaders, the first summit was held in 2014, and now President Biden is hosting the second.

What does the United States hope to achieve at the US-Africa leaders summit? What are the expected outcomes from the engagement?

The United States understands we are in a critical period in history; there are a number of global challenges, from the climate change issue and the continued effects of Covid-19, to concerns about food security in a population that continues to expand. So we think it’s crucial to bring leaders of the African continent together to discuss those challenges, to hear their voices, and to seek their leadership moving forward.

State Secretary Blinken was in Africa a couple of months ago, and he made it very clear that Africa will shape the future not only of Africa but of the entire world. From a geopolitical standpoint, when we look at Africa, it has the fastest-growing population, the largest free-trade area in the entire world, the most diverse ecosystem, and, from a UN perspective, the largest regional bloc within the UN. So clearly, Africa is going to help us address the global challenges we have. So that’s part of the reason for the Africa leaders summit: to bring these groups together and hear their voices.

How does U.S. foreign policy accommodate African complexities? How hard is it to navigate the geopolitical issues and internal conflicts within Africa as you aim to engage the entire continent?

The US in general looks for regional solutions to those problems. I know there’s been ongoing dialogue between the US, the African Union, and other countries in Africa to begin to address some of the challenges that Africa faces.

There seems to be unpredictability and unsustainability in US-Africa relations. The last summit was held in 2014. This makes the US lag behind the EU, China, and other rising global powers. What is the strategy for maintaining relationship consistency?

We’ve exhibited great stability. We’ve had a bilateral relationship with Tanzania for over 60 years, heavily engaged in so many sectors: peace and security, health, and other sectors. So there’s been a long-lasting relationship between the US and Africa. As the US envoy, it is my job to build upon that and continue to build the relationship.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expires in 2025, but its potential hasn’t been maximized. What is the next step? And why hasn’t it fully succeeded?

AGOA presents an opportunity for Africa as a whole and Tanzania in particular. It allows Tanzanian goods to enter the American marketplace tariff-free. It hasn’t been utilized as much as we’d like to see, and we try to provide some technical support through USAID so that many of the businesses in Tanzania would know how they could enter the US marketplace and take advantage of the favourable AGOA status.

Regarding the expiration of AGOA in 2025, Congress will look at the issue and decide whether they want to extend that into the future as well.

It is a huge opportunity to promote Tanzanian and African goods in the American marketplace, and we would want to see Tanzania take more advantage of the preferential tax arrangement.

What’s your take on the current Tanzanian business environment?

President Samia has made it clear that Tanzania is open for business. She’s been very supportive of foreign direct investment, and that really aligns with one of the priorities that I came to Tanzania with, which is to encourage US investment in the country. We are very pleased with much of the rhetoric we are hearing from your president and from others here in Tanzania in an attempt to make the business climate more favourable. At the conference, the second full day is going to focus on the business climate. President Samia and her delegation will get an opportunity to interact with some of the largest companies in the United States and talk to them about the opportunities that exist in Tanzania. So, we consider this a win-win situation. When US investors come to Tanzania, they bring capital and innovation. They create jobs, which enhance the tax base.

I recently visited the proposed LNG plant in Lindi. There’s ongoing dialogue, and the United States is one of the potential investors in that project. Should the project cross the finish line, it will be the largest investment in Africa.

What are the strategies for bridging the trade deficit between Tanzania and the US?

One of my priorities is to bolster reciprocal trade. I’d like to see more Tanzanian products, such as coffee and cashews, on the shelves of American markets, as well as more American products in Tanzania. We’ve seen the export of processed cashews to America recently that are now being sold in the southern part of the United States, and I’ve been assured that it is just the beginning. But cashews are just one opportunity; there are other opportunities with many other products such as coffee, tea, and other things.

How is the US looking to leverage the opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area?

We think that there are huge opportunities there, and we are glad that Tanzania is a part of that effort moving forward. The US-Africa leaders summit is not only an opportunity for African leaders to go to the US and interact with our business community and civil society organizations, which can certainly lead to trade, but it is also an opportunity for African nations to confer with one another to see what can be done to bolster regional trade as well.

We are living in uncertain times where global crises such as Covid-19, Ukraine war, and climate change are taking a toll on world economies and adversely impacting Africa. How can Africa shield itself from these perennial challenges?

I have to give praise to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership as it relates to the health of your people, and in particular in addressing Covid-19. The US began working very closely with Tanzania’s Ministry of Health back in April this year; at that time, only 15 percent of your eligible population had received Covid vaccines. But due to Samia’s strong leadership and the strong engagement of the Ministry of Health and many of our external partners, I’m very pleased to tell you that 90 percent of your eligible population is now immunized against Covid-19.

On climate change, Tanzania has experienced some of the adverse effects. You look at the receding glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro and the drought that has affected some of the farming production in Tanzania and beyond. Food security is going to be a major issue as we move forward. The global population is increasing, and so is the need for food. Tanzania is a food exporting country, and so the rest of the world will be looking for leadership from food exporting countries as we attempt to prepare for what is clearly going to be a need for more food commodities as the world population continues to increase.

Is there a lasting solution to the war in Ukraine?

That’s a very complex question. From a US perspective, the war in Ukraine is a major issue. It was an unprovoked attack on the Ukrainian people by the Russian people. We hope to continue dialogue and find a diplomatic solution to this particular problem. Part of the US strategy is to lock arms with as many countries as we can around the world so that we can speak with one voice. As far as how long the war will last, I don’t have a crystal ball. I wish we could find a durable solution to this conflict immediately. I don’t see that forthcoming, but we will continue to work very hard and partner with our friends around the world for that to happen.

Democracy and the rule of law are some of the areas of interest in US-Africa relations. Tanzania has fallen short on both in the past. What’s the US’ view on this as you engage the government?

One of the focuses of the leaders’ summit for the entire continent is trying to strengthen democratic institutions and promote the rule of law. If you look historically, we have always thought that Tanzania was a peaceful and stable democracy in East Africa. Certainly you’ve had some problems in the recent past, but there seems to be a movement in the right direction toward opening the democratic space through freedom of the press and freedom of speech. There’s still work to be done; there’s no doubt about that, but I think the US is encouraged by much of the rhetoric that we are hearing. We were excited to see President Hassan appointing a commission focused on political reconciliation so that opposition parties can have a voice in the direction of this country. The US doesn’t have a preferred political party or agenda, but we want the will of the Tanzanian people to be expressed at the ballot box.

Europe is facing an energy crisis due to a cut in supply from Russia. Africa has natural resources that can mitigate this rising demand. However, there’s a lot of resistance and double standards on issues such as coal exports to Europe. How can this energy crisis be addressed?

The US’ position is that we need to have a transition away from fossil fuels. It’s not something that will happen overnight; it is a long-term goal. Tanzania is doing what it can to promote renewable energy, and there are a number of US companies that hope to build wind and solar power in parts of this country. The gas field in Lindi is an extremely clean source of fossil fuel, not completely without a carbon footprint, but a very clean source and a good transition fuel to move forward with.

What is the US’ stand on the EACOP project?

That is an issue we leave to the Tanzanian people. I know that the EU has spoken out on that, and I don’t think the US has taken a formal position.

Africans in the diaspora are a huge resource and are viewed as the sixth African Union region. However, there are policy challenges that are limiting Tanzanians in the diaspora from full economic participation. What is the best way to collaborate with those in the diaspora for the benefit of the country?

The US feels that solutions to these global problems go beyond governments. The private sector, business industry, civil society organizations, young people, and women play a crucial role. I have had the opportunity to visit many of the Tanzanian diaspora living in the US; it is a large community. You are right; there is no dual citizenship, but there is a great deal of loyalty to their homeland. I think they would love to participate in making Tanzania more successful and prosperous.