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                US-Africa Summit Events Under Way in Washington

   by VOA News

   Events surrounding the [1]summit between President Barack Obama and
   some 50 African heads of state have kicked off in Washington.

   Secretary of State John Kerry urged African ministers to embrace
   free-market ideals and U.S.-African cooperation Monday at a forum
   focused on the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  The secretary is
   due to meet with at least eight visiting African leaders by the end of
   day.

   President Obama will address a U.S.-Africa Business Forum on Tuesday
   and take part in sessions focused on economic growth, regional
   security, and good governance on Wednesday.

   Summit agenda
   The U.S. is set to unveil nearly $1 billion in business deals, more
   funding for peacekeeping, and billions of dollars for food and power
   programs during the three-day summit.

   China, Europe and Japan have all held similar events to encourage
   investment in Africa, but the White House denies its Africa Summit is
   in response to increasing investment in Africa from China.

   U.S. businesses have generally been hesitant to invest in Africa
   despite the high growth rates seen in many countries.

   Billions of dollars in new funding is expected to be announced for
   Power Africa during the summit. The program's goal is to add 10,000
   megawatts of generation capacity and 20 million new electric customers
   in Africa by 2018.

   Private industry has committed $7 billion to the program since it was
   announced last year by President Obama.
   Countries have also said they will use the summit to lobby their
   interests in the U.S. For example, South Africa has already said its
   delegation will push for a 15-year extension of the African Growth and
   Opportunity Act.

   The law gives eligible Sub-Saharan Africa countries preferential
   treatment in their exports to the U.S., but the program that began in
   2000 is set to expire next year.

   Excluded
   U.S. officials say only four African leaders were excluded from the
   talks - the presidents of Zimbabwe, Sudan, Eritrea and the Central
   African Republic.

   The summit convenes at the same time several West African nations are
   facing an Ebola virus outbreak.

   President Obama said Friday the United States is closely following the
   situation.  He said African officials from at-risk countries will be
   screened for the disease before entering the U.S.

   The leaders of Sierra Leone and Liberia have canceled their summit
   trips to Washington because of the Ebola outbreak.
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   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-africa-summit-events-under-way-in-
   washington/1971092.html

References

   1. http://www.whitehouse.gov/us-africa-leaders-summit
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-africa-summit-events-under-way-in-washington/1971092.html