US – Africa Leaders Summit

The President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden has noted that the US – Africa Leaders Summit is not just about building connections and closing deals but more about the future which is shared.

Addressing African Heads of State at the US-AFRICA Leaders’ Summit last night, Biden said they have known for a long time that Africa’s success and prosperity is essential for ensuring a better future for all.

Biden went on to say that he has been engaged on African issues from a young age as a United States Senate.

He told African leaders that when he was in the Foreign Relations Committee, he was the Chairman of the African Affairs Sub-Cmmittee and as a result he spent most of the time visiting African States.

President Biden noted that the world has undergone great changes due to grappling with a deadly pandemic, rising food prices and tackling the impact of climate change.

He seized the moment to wish Morocco football team well in their World Cup semi final game against France, a game they however lost.

Prior to Biden’s address, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi had presented a compelling speech, when he gave a public lecturer at the Brookings Institution, giving a detailed talk on Botswana’s economic transformation.

His narration depicted that though Botswana is disadvantaged by its geographical location, the country has however made some significant strides.

He also indicated that Botswana sets herself on National Principles of Democracy, Self Resilience, Unity, Development & Botho. He added that these tenets continue to guide our national vision 2036 that expresses Botswana’s agenda for social and economic transformation.

He further outlined that Botswana’s economy continues to display signs of recovery, attributing it to the successful mitigations and the improved performance of the mining sector, particularly the diamond sub sector.

President Masisi noted that the momentum of recovery is likely to be sustained in the medium term with domestic economic growth projected to be 4.2% & 4.1% in 2022 and 2023 respectively.