Reagan went to Russia in 1987 and delivered his famous speech at the Berlin Wall, which is credited for being the beginning of the end of the Cold War. Before that, Nixon went to China in 1972, which forever changed geo-politics by reopening trade between the two superpowers. Nixon spoke of his visit to China as “the week that changed the world” because it allowed the American public to view images of China for the first time in decades.
President Obama’s visit to Africa, which begins today, is expected to have a similar impact on relations between the US and the continent of Africa. There has been much speculation as to whether the expense of this trip is worth it. That view is uninformed by how significant Africa has become in the global economy, and how important Africa is expected to be as a trading partner in the future.
Africa is the second fastest growing economic region in the world. Six out of ten of the world’s fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. The Harvard Business Review reports that General Electric expects to sell more gas turbines in Africa than the US over the next three years. Google reports that they have more click throughs in Africa than in Europe.
The U.S.’s major competitor to be the world’s superpower is China, and China figured out how important Africa is from an economic perspective over a decade ago. We have a long way to go in order to catch up with China. For example, the Chinese government employs over 150 commercial officers in 46 African countries whose job is to facilitate business between Africa and China. On the other hand, the US government employs 5 comparable officers in 3 African countries. America should wake up to the fact that Africa, like China and India, is a region with a population of over a billion people, and a major factor in the global trade of commodities like oil and gold, and many rare minerals essential for industrial production.
Africa.com is thrilled to have been invited to join the White House Press Corps for this trip. We are the only Africa-focused media outlet covering this historic visit from the vantage point of being an official White House media agency. We sit alongside the New York Times, CNN, Reuters, Fox, CBS, NBC, AFP, etc. in terms of access to the President and First Family on this visit.
President Obama in Africa is meaningful to the American people because it helps our nation to remain competitive from an economic standpoint by partnering with the world’s emerging nations. Because President Obama is of African descent, the trip is also about a lot more. It touches many of us on a deep emotional level, and like Nixon did for China, it will give the American public an updated perspective by providing images of Africa in 2013.
For daily updates on President Obama’s trip to Africa check out our dedicated page on Africa.com and don’t forget to sign up for our daily news letter for our pick of the Top 10 stories on the continent.
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