Opinion
The United States should not sit on the sidelines as economic rivals like China, E.U., invest in Africa
In addition, the United States should increase its investments in African nations’ infrastructure. Developing countries such as DRC need roads and railways that will allow our economy to grow, move, exchange and expand. Doing so will also improve access to health care and to education, two factors that are central to economic growth.
Some 600 million people – 70 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa – are without electricity. The Obama administration’s Power Africa initiative, which seeks to marshal over US$1 billion in private investment for geothermal and wind projects, is also essential. With its tremendous waterways and rivers, DRC is well-positioned to participate in this initiative.
Unlike the colonial powers of the past and some economic powers of the present, the United States is admirably concerned with developing Africa’s human and natural resources. From American universities partnering with their African counterparts to First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to help educate African girls, the United States has much to contribute.
Expanding economic and educational ties with Africa will strengthen the security of the United States and the entire international community. With the continent confronting threats from terrorism to human trafficking and ethnic conflicts, economic growth will avert the hopelessness that feeds extremist violence and will offer an alternative to harmful activities of all kinds.
President Obama has made strides to strengthen the American relationship with the continent, where his father served as an economic policymaker. He must not lose sight of his goals in Africa for the rest of his term, and his potential successors should offer ideas for further strengthening of U.S. ties with the continent, where so much of humanity’s history will be made.
Jean-Claude Masangu Mulongo is an economist who previously served as governor of the Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Additionally, he has also served as president of the G24 of the International Monetary Fund; deputy governor for the DRC of the World Bank, and president of the African Central Banks Association.
