WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden was set on Wednesday to unveil a long-term commitment to African leaders as the United States laid out a major investment push in technology in the continent, where China's infrastructure spending has made it a top player.
After an initial announcement on training health workers, the White House said Wednesday that the United States will commit US$350 million and mobilise US$450 million in financing for digital development in Africa. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday warned African leaders that both China as well as Russia were"destabilizing" the continent, saying Beijing's mega-contracts lacked transparency.US and African businesses laid out details of US$15 billion in new trade on the second day of the forum, with a heavy push on the goal of digital development.
Technology leader Microsoft said it would employ satellites to bring internet access to some 10 million people, half of them in Africa, hoping to bridge a digital divide that has held back the continent. In Africa,"there is no shortage of talent, but there is a huge shortage of opportunity", Smith told AFP.
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