U.S. and African Union Launch Investment Partnership

A handshake in Addis Ababa today could reshape how America and Africa do business together for decades to come.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to launch the Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group. The new partnership marks a major shift from foreign aid to long-term investment in Africa's economic future.

The working group will connect U.S. companies with African Union-backed infrastructure projects across the continent. These aren't small ventures. The focus includes building transportation corridors, developing energy networks, and creating secure digital systems that span multiple countries.

The partnership builds on Africa's own ambitious plan called Agenda 2063, which maps out the continent's vision for development over the coming decades. One key target is the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to make trading goods across African borders easier than ever before.

American companies will bring capital and financing expertise to projects already identified as priorities by African nations. In return, the United States gains access to critical minerals and strengthens supply chains while creating jobs back home.

The Ripple Effect

This agreement signals something bigger than individual construction projects. By treating Africa as an investment partner rather than an aid recipient, both sides are building a relationship based on mutual prosperity instead of dependency.

The working group will help harmonize regulations across African countries, making it easier for businesses to operate across borders. Better roads and railways mean farmers can get crops to market faster. Improved digital infrastructure means entrepreneurs in rural areas can compete globally.

For Americans, the benefits extend beyond business opportunities. Stronger economies in Africa mean more stable regions, better health security cooperation, and expanded markets for American products and services.

Senior officials and technical experts from both governments will meet regularly to identify the best opportunities. They'll match U.S. private sector capabilities with African Union priorities, ensuring projects serve real needs on the ground.

The partnership acknowledges a simple truth: economic growth and peace reinforce each other. Countries with thriving businesses and good jobs are more stable and secure.

This approach represents the future of international cooperation, where success is measured not in aid dollars spent but in profitable partnerships that lift both sides higher.