Dozens of African leaders gathered in Washington on Wednesday to hold talks with US President Barack Obama on key issues that threaten to disrupt economic progress on the continent.
"It’s a huge human capital, but with a huge demand for infrastructure, health, housing, food, so that Africa has a decent life." Said Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, African Union Chair.
"And today we can focus on what we can do, as governments, to accelerate that investment-- economic and regulatory reforms, regional integration, and development so that growth is broad-based, especially among women, who must be empowered for economies to truly flourish." Said Barack Obama, U.S. President.
The discussions capped an unprecedented three-day gathering of African leaders in Washington. Much of the conference has centered on boosting US financial ties with Africa, a continent that is home to six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies and a rapidly expanding middle class. Yet the summit’s final day of discussions underscored the challenges that could undermine economic growth. Health crisis remain among Africa’s most pressing problems, including the current outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the western part of the continent.