with great internet. >> wow, support c-span. as a public service, along with these other television's right -- front row seat to democracy. now in the south -- it looks at u.s. policy towards africa. they discussed topics including russia and china needs influence, u.s., and africa trade relations and the pandemic response and many others. this runs just over an hour and 20 minutes. >> thank you, thank you all good morning and welcome to a foreign affairs committee. as a part of u.s. leadership on developing and executing. a multilateral approach to africa. thank you to our distinguished panelists my, colleagues for joining us for the discussion today. part of the leadership of joe joe biden, the united states has demonstrated the capacity to lead the international -- and addressing some of the most

complex challenges we're facing today. from holding vladimir putin accountable for it is illegal and barbaric invasions of ukraine, to counter china's influence on the end of the pacific and beyond. u.s. leadership on the international stage has proven critical. and galvanizing the support of our partners, and exacting consequences if -- unfortunately, i have yet to see us take the same ambitious and effective approach on the continent of africa it's hard to comprehend how the youngest in fast england content in the world is a region that contains more than 50% of the globe's vast array of critical another natural resources has failed to garner a clear, comprehensive engaging strategy. it's clear, africa as diverse as its nation and peoples are. is not the basket case many narratives portrayed to be. however, the continent does face immense challenges that must be met with strong,

unifying international support. priorities for development across the continent, with the support of our partners around the world. include combatting climate change, diversifying energy resources stimulating economic growth, and improving public health outcomes. in the face of democratic backsliding, we have a collective responsibility to promote good governance and protect human rights, let's also remember this, the united states is not advocate for the support of our african partners. we often leave them no other choice but to seek partners of -- last resort. i've heard this from my african counterparts time and time again. they want to partner with the united states, but are often forced to see less effective options from foreign competitors, they appear cheaper on the surface, but impose a high cost in the recipient companies and their

people. we're seeing the effects of these decisions ripple across the continent, including through the increased presence of corrupt and unaccountable russian another four and more scenarios. and the growing influence of foreign adversaries who are actively undermining the rules based order and democratic systems to which most africans aspire. flew to follow through on our part, risk an increasing lee destabilized region. i missed opportunity to strengthen social, economic bonds that actively seek to be closer to the united states of america. fulfilling this optimistic vision of multi narrow engagement strategy, for africa, requires a diverse coalition of leaders. who can leverage their experiences, networks, and talent to break down this issue. to be successful, however we must do away with antiquated and patriarchal views of who gets to be in the driver seat.

i sound, multilateral engagement towards africa requires leaders in those countries to take the lead with our support along the way. i look forward to hearing from our panelist, their insights on how to best develop this approach through an inclusive we -- i know amount earn it to my friend ranking member mccaul, for his remarks and in concluding that i will ask the chair of the african subcommittee -- to lead until i'm gonna come back. i had there's an emergency any to run to, all return after. i now yield to ranking member mccaul. nmute >> you're on mute mr. mccaul. you teased you need to unmute mccaul. >> thank you mister chairman.

i want to say, great, with the last time and the awards and our nutrition ball. i want to thank you for that. i want to thank the panelists for being here today. our engagement on the african continent must be partnership of shared economic security, political development, objectives. while the u.s. office partnership the prc in russia seek to leverage their offers fought financing or security guarantees. for their own political, economic, and priorities. perfect example of this is the ccp's debt trap to plummet see-through -- an initiative. when i meet with partners now and allies around the world i ask, why they're entering into dangerous agreements with chinese counties party. they told me it's because we're not there, as you mentioned, mr. chairman we're not on the field, we are beyond the field if we're gonna win. the u.s. government needs to show up and compete. and by 2050, 25% of the world

population will live in africa. and over 60% of the continent is under the age of 30. these transpose incredible opportunities but also a manse challenges. these young people need education, employment, an opportunity to create a better life for themself. that's why strategic investments now by the u.s. to partner with african nations, to address these challenges is so critical. we i want to mention, the ag o, a forum. this is congressionally mandated and it's to bring trade ministers from eligible countries to discuss trade and investment opportunities. i think we need to promoted to a trade and investment. with the continent and it must be a top priority. i'm proud of the bill i

introduced, the championing american businesses through diplomacy act was signed into law. earlier this, year i introduce legislation to codify the -- african initiative. this effort coordinates various tools and the u.s. government, like the development finance corporation. -- u.s. aid, and department of commerce to think of one voice and support companies looking to invest in africa. despite promises that africa would be a priority, i'm seeing the administration not really rising to the challenge. i hope mr. chairman, you and i can work to make that a priority. i need to say, africa is going to be, again, the continent to focus on. as we met with david beasley, who testified yesterday about the global famine that we may see impacting the continent.

of africa. and how can impact -- and how it can impact the rise of isis and al-qaeda threats. we need, as the global fragility bell, as we cast that bill to stabilize the continent of africa. if africa becomes destabilized, if it comes dangerous. and i think it's our goal, mister chairman, to stabilize africa and make it a land of opportunities. and not a land of threats. i want to thank you for putting this roundtable together, i look forward to working with you, mister chairman, on this important issue. and thank you for doing this, thank to the panelists, i yield back. >> hello, hi, i'm congresswoman karen bass, the chairman has departed for a few minutes. but i want to thank our

panelists for joining us for this round table. on reimagining the u.s. approach to africa. as those in attendance, all of us are aware africa's the youngest, fastest-growing continent. in the coming year, they'll be endless social, cultural, and economic opportunities from multilateral engagement, and partnership that will benefit not only the continent, but the rest of the world. however, africa facing many challenges that hinder its continued social economic, development and prevent african countries from meeting their full potential. like climate change for example. or the lack of infrastructure including electricity, roads, that frankly contribute to ethnic conflict, terrorism, food insecurity, and democratic backsliding. so far the traditional approach by the united states to engage with africa, as focus largely on delivering humanitarian substance, when it's urgently needed rather than supporting african laid programs and strategies that promote long term development and sell

sustainability on the continent. such as assisting in structural development like infrastructure. so, therein lies the problem, the conversation we're having today is an important step toward shifting the narrative from seeing africa as a continent in the towards seeing it as a continent with significant opportunity for mutually beneficial political collaboration that bolsters african self reliance. in other, words the u.s. must stop reactively -- responding to crisis in africa and start proactively building institutions and implementing programs with african partners in a multilateral fashion that encourages enduring social, economic progress. this morning i look forward to hearing from panelists about how we can, with other democratic countries and with african entrepreneurs to support new investment opportunities. and with african entrepreneurs that will help expand, manufacturing and production by using natural resources on the

continent and while strengthening capacity for a regional and international trade. in the same vein, i hope we can have a discussion on how african lands, and farming can help sustain, solve the food insecurity crisis that has persisted in africa for decades, and it's been further exasperated by the war in ukraine. actually, the war in ukraine maybe presents an opportunity to expedite, thus addressing the problem in terms of increasing africa's capacity to meet its needs. discussedgiven rising chinese ad russian influence on the continent, it's also important that we discuss how democratic world powers can engage with africa in a way that singles long-lasting -- social, economic ties rather than extracting resources and amassing geopolitical power. most importantly, i'm glad this round tables brought together several different perspectives from across the globe for a

conversation about how we can work together to propel african development and permanently race standards of living. i'm excited to learn what insights you've gained from your various experiences so that we might find solutions to the obstacles that are standing in the way of africa's development. so, it is with great pleasure that i entered drew's our first presenter, what doctor okonjo-iweala, took office as the world trade office director general on march of 2021. she's a global finance expert, an economist in international development professional, with over 30 years of experience working in asia, africa, europe, latin america and north america. the doctor okonjo-iweala. >> thank you very much. thank you very much representative bass, it's a pleasure to see you. and to be here with you today.

i want to start by thanking chairman meeks, and ranking member mccaul, and to say a shout out to all the other congressman and congresswoman out there. -- committee, staff as well whoever set this up. and my fellow panelists. i'm delighted to join you today, to discuss such an important topic. when we start by saying that i have one message today, if the united states wants to lead a multilateral approach to support africans, and realizing the continent's potential. in needs to move from an eighth -- trade and investment mindset. -- to the recent joint regional strategy, i know that there's a move in the right direction. but the pace needs to be speed it up, it needs to be faster, we need to match words with action and resources, in order

to make things move. between covid-19 at the fallout from the war, in ukraine. african economies have lost an enormous amount of ground. international, trade, and investment will be critical for helping africa regain ours will go back to people endemic strums. gdp in sub-saharan africa since 2020 has been roughly in line with the world average, just below 2% per year. but our economy needs to grow much faster than that, to lift back up into the incomes and make it antibody. the african development estimates that will take over adapted -- to pre-pandemic levels. the world bank calculates that the pandemic inflation, and the war in ukraine will push 25 million -- in sub-saharan africa into extreme poverty. the united nations estimates --

two 70 million people, on the continent who are already in 2020, one a number that has -- alongside food prices, and inflation. pandemic related school closures have led to substantial literacy loss. this is bad news for billions of young people, and for future growth prospects. the setbacks are mirrored-ing global trade. preliminary world trade organization data for the first quota 2020 -- show that while global margin merchandizing is 6% higher than in the final quota of 2019. african trade is more than -- lower than where it was back that. africa's already -- of world trade is decreasing. and costs of trade, we know our high. we have estimated about 3% loss

tariff, as additional costs of african trade. which is 50% higher than that in developed countries. so, slow growth, high costs, high inflation and typing financial conditions are making that burden worse. and raising the risk of capital flight, and severe depreciation on the continent. as of may, low -- already in debt is in distress. according to the -- and over 30 of them -- moderate risk of distress. all this is exasperated by insecurity, especially the horn of africa in the south. problems that they themselves like climate change. [inaudible] there are opportunities that the u.s. can seize, and recalibrating its africa strategy. like the u.s., african, i like the object is, african countries also want to promote

sustainable prosperity, democracy, and security. and the opportunities for them to do that. the u.s. policy for africa stipulated by the administration recognizes these opportunities. -- assistant secretary of state for africa said last december i quote, expanding africa's economic power is good for africans and it's good for americans. we also need to look around the corner, when africa's young people will be the global -- of the future. economies on the continent, need to grow faster and create more. leverage in the african continent of free trade area and its market of 1.4 billion young people to create regional and global value chains and add more battling to goods and services. what help took -- from its current 2.4%. with the median age of under 20 africa will have a younger potentially workforce as populations age rapidly

elsewhere. a real demographic advantage. even with the rise of automation. growing climate risks fragility exposed by the pandemic and the war have led to a push for supply chain -- to achieve greater resilience and diversification. this push, we should be about the concentration of the globalization create some major opportunity for africa, to become a bigger part of global production networks. to build regional and global -- pharmaceutical or algal cultural products such as -- another influence and generally to add more value to its commodity exports. greek globalizing africa, by which i mean bringing africa countries, companies, and workers from the margins of the global division of labor to the center of it. it would be good for poverty reduction and growth in the continent. and it would make africa a bigger market for u.s.

businesses, it would make global markets more resilient for a future crisis. the time cannot be more right for the u.s. government and private sector to invest in africa. securities, prerequisites for sustainable prosperity, and the flow of arms out of libya and elsewhere -- islamic radicals needs to be brought under control. but much more needs to be done on trade and investment. the data next clear, the u.s. has lost -- overtime. and 2001, 16.6% of african -- experts and value terms went to the united states. only 2.8% went to china. by 2021, 17.2% of -- went to china. well six 26% went to the u.s.. over that time, african exports to the u.s. increased by 64% to 36 billion dollars. but exports to china increased over 23 times to 94 billion

dollars. it's a similar trend can be seen on the imports side, on 2001, 8.7% of african or points came from the united states. more than doubled the share from china. in 2020, one on almost 21% of african importance came from china, four times the share from the u.s.. between 2002 -- chinese financier signed on commitments with african governments and enterprises worth 160 billion dollars. according to the chinese loans data, boston university local development policy center. the same database and amidst a 29% of the chinese low -- transportation sector. 25% to the power sector. together, covering infrastructure development projects such as rail raids, roads, -- and transmission. while these loans they bleeding to death and several african

countries. and i'm not a fantasy air, they address critical infrastructure from the continent. u.s. private and public sectors must recognize this infrastructure gap. and help africans address going behind the power initiatives to drive more resources to address these issues. in particular, seizing the opportunity for renewables and gas as it transitions of source of energy. i know that the u.s. is moving in the right direction. trying to close this gap. the g7 seven in germany last month, the u.s. and its partners announced the initiative to mobilize $600 million by 2027. and global infrastructure investments. a good chunk of which would go to africa. such funding would make a real difference. as africa cannot grow and less it has required infrastructure. we need to invest in this

faster, and quicker. the african growth opportunity act was, a visionary trade policy. and needs to be built. the african continent offers a strong potential for building this. even though the u.s. -- it remains respected -- on the continent. i'm convinced that if the u.s. redirects its policies africans will be willing to wait. let me conclude, by saying that building more prosperity across the country will strengthen democracy. [inaudible] security and governance issues will help rebuild prosperity so we need one in order to build a cascade for the other. we know what to do. the u.s. has the instruments to

do, to take the required action. it's imperative now that the u.s. has all these instruments to -- public and private sectors, to get africa's development moving in the right direction. thank you. >> thank you so much. let me enter jurors are next speakers, donald kaberuka rwandan economist and former finance minister, who served as the seventh president of the african development bank. he's credited for expanding the region impact of the development back, africa's premier financial institution, during his tenure as president. kaberuka is the african union's high representative for financing, the peace fund and the covid-19 response. ambassador rama yade, senior director of the africa center and senior fellow for the europe center. prior to joining the council,

she was a consultant for the world bank advising the institution of an education, youth sports, human capital and disability issues in africa. todd moss, executive director of the energy for growth hub, he's an nonresident fellow at the center for global development, and the center for energy studies at rice university's baker institute, and at the colorado school pain institute. i would like to ask our speakers to begin. i don't see a clock on the screen, if you can keep your comments to five minutes, and after will open up for members questions. thank you. mr. kaberuka? >> thank you, thank you. . thank you for inviting [inaudible] thank you for inviting me to the round table. -- at this point, we're living in

exceptional times, in the last 15 years alone africa seen five successive presidents. [inaudible] of africa. the financial crisis, ebola, -- covid, and now ukraine. each successive [inaudible] now i haven't mentioned the ongoing, central issues of climate. to which -- lodz and of course there's insecurity conundrum in society, and in libya. [inaudible] vacuum in an economic consequences. ten years ago, there was a narrative which we discussed with families, code africa rising. it was much -- but never was it, it was what

makes it bad, a big picture. [inaudible] what is true though, for the first time since the two -- in the 1970s. the african economies had begun at last, a term of converging with the rest of the world. real per capita in times were positive in most places. not all. economic growth was beginning to catch up with demographics. we know of course economic growth is still strong, as you said, -- fastest-growing continent at the time. we know the economy growth is not the same thing is economic transformation. their issues are jobs, the issue of dependence -- inequalities incel on. we fully understood that. still, africa -- the risk now, he faces that --

now, someone else said that the covid crisis, has tested three. thingsries. in africa its own people leave on their own and they are saving lives and world inequalities we have seen, the vaccines and this is in my presentation. it's a collective and it's in the differences and the

continent now has to do with energy and since 75. these such issues are taken to the founders and they are reeling from the consequences. one thing, chairman, africa on these challenges, african union and many countries in africa and there communion and medical

platform of this center for disease control. africa is waiting and they are able to do things on their own. i believe in the compilation have an ambitious engagement in africa, this is the difference. how about beginning africa's intrusion. let me mention a few in my closing remarks. we can prevent, we can anticipate when they come.

how about supporting this investment we would be posting this in september with initiatives and even though he's not here, i know he has done quite a bit on their behalf adequately on this challenge so thank you, i believe without you we wouldn't be here. we will be in new york in september. >> thank you so much for your comments, ambassador. >> thank you very much. thank you for this important

event, i would like to talk to you about the importance of investments and why should be at the center in this investment to africa. being appointed, i have this at the heart of our action the same level of security and the economy. fashion, movies, design, arts and sports, africa is experiencing an exceptional -- i used to be a french ambassador but i was born in africa and from democracies to suit food

insecurity, migration, and western countries, there always pessimistic and negative. this bias is reflected in the market supplies to african countries despite the economic settlements. that is the first secret of the chinese success africa. we now have a huge program and the signature industries summit of washington and an african city capitol. the idea is to highlight opportunities of investment there but why it is so

important, it's not only about achievements, it's about african leadership, it's about connection between africans for it including the u.s. promising economic market, promising for creation and also about security through infrastructure. it is a strategic matter. african heritage is everywhere. in music and even disco and we

see caution renewed with african inspiration, disney has enriched the platform with african series most important is black panther. the music industry, nigerian artists are with nature and american labels and we see nigeria is the fastest growing, every year 1 million givers watch more than 2000 films produced in nigeria, far from hollywood so i don't daresay that of the hollywood but that's just the numbers. at the source of this power we

undoubtedly find dynamic, you know that. we have a generation the digital revolution in the market and that's why infrastructure has become so important. unfortunately these industries are less than 1% of the continent of gdp and that's why it is important and to link this new investment with reform. >> thank you very much. doctor and i will be transitioning the gavel over to

representative sherman. >> great, thank you so much, thank you to the chairman and ranking member, i am honored and thrilled to be here especially with old friends. why does energy matter to u.s. leadership and why do i personally work on energy? the answer to both is the same because africans need a lot more energy than they used today and energy is one of america's greatest strengths. when i serve in the state department, i was struck by how often our closest african allie- >> longer than i thought. >> attracting investment in infrastructure and that's why started working on energy poverty when i returned to private life and why we start of the energy for growth hub, a nonprofit research network dedicated to building high energy future for everyone. let's start with the scale of opportunity sometime in the next 25 years, nigeria will be larger

than the u.s. and population. today average american uses nearly 100 times as much electricity as the average nigerian. it's 100 times. that's a lot of unmet energy demand and it's just nigeria. getting nigeria to just say 1000 kilowatts hours in a prison year for the modern energy mineral, just that would take increasing capacity by 15x so energy is massive opportunity for the u.s. to be a serious partner and work with african allies to meet the fundamental needs to promote u.s. technology and provide tentative to russia and china but i fear we failing miserably to seize this opportunity. one of the great things about leaving public life is you get

to say what you really think and believe and take the opportunity. one example of failing miserably is what has happened lately to power africa. president obama's signature africa initiative successfully helping building our plans and connect millions of people in power africa showed u.s. initiatives can work when you have clear goals and a array of tools and dedicated coordinator with a budget. the last six years have shown what happens when you draw all the wrong lessons. first, the trump administration tried to copy power africa, they were launched in asia and latin america with no new resources and none of the coordinators capability and no surprise both were failures that biden administration made big promises to take ownership with africa seriously but his left africa to

wither, largely starts to budget and consumed out of the skill of prosper africa. with the eu declaring natural gas is green in europe turning coal plants back on, it's no longer tenable for the u.s. to treat africa to philly by pressing the continent to forgo using its own natural gas for power industry, fertilizer and cleaner cooking. in africa obviously seen as hypocritical and policies increasingly frustrating for african leaders. the biden administration is on the inner agency lessons from power africa. the white house announced a new partnership for global infrastructure investment. it's great the white house and g7 are talking about infrastructure investment but

pgii has no clear goals, no new resources, no new tools and relies on the dreaded role of government. pgi i actually creates intra-agency committee, there's a coordinator who supposed to corral 13 departments and agency heads but no budget and no real authority. in my opinion, zero chance this will work. pgi i announced fanfare likely to be yet another source of frustration for our african allies so where should the u.s. do? one, stop treating africa's energy security as secondary. africans will of course take advantage low cost and until about many countries will want to use some of their gas at home and need infrastructure to do that. the good news here is there's no plausible scenario where africa's use of natural gas matters to global omission, none

whatsoever. we should stop the comic theater pretending we are fighting climate change by banning and restricting downstream gas finance and poorest countries. it's not helping the climate attorney people who need reliable power and jobs, fertilizer and cleaning cooking. let's fund power africa, it deserves line item in the budget and should be fully staffed and resourced. third, let's think bigger. we can make power africa better and more fit for today's purpose turning it into african energy progress fund. many countries, generation is no longer the big bottle, transmission, utility finances integrating new technologies like storage and integrated planning. if we are serious about partnering with africa accelerating global energy transition, we would turn power africa from an initiative

focused on individual projects into a wider fund that can work across the energy sector to partner on building low comment energy system that can meet gospel energy needs in the future. in african energy progress fund far better served u.s. environmental development and national security goals. thank you. >> i believe we've heard from all of our witnesses and unexpectedly they've asked me to chair the meeting here for a while so i will recognize myself for five minutes starting with mr. moss, you say the united states is preventing africa from using natural gas. is it just that we are not providing concessionary financing to help africa do this or is there some way in which we are sanctioning call penalizing more threatening action against

africa they simply use their own resources knowing we just had our president go to saudi arabia and politely asked the saudi's to use their resources on the world market? is accused the america preventing africa, are we simply failing to facilitate? >> thanks for that question. i think seeing the president in saudi arabia is indicative of the frustration we are hearing constantly from african leaders about the u.s. position. one thing is the u.s. has been advising african government to skip over. you will infrastructure and jump to renewables only. i chaired a public roundtable -- >> you have to take our advice. >> i know.

>> we have very limited time. >> on the financing, infrastructure in africa, especially downstream infrastructure, not upstream expiration and production, downstream infrastructure for power plants, fertilizer and factories, office takers, that requires development finance which we can provide. >> your -- >> treated different for low income countries and greatly griller. >> we are not providing the help because we are not providing things recessionary financing. somebody developing oil in texas doesn't get the bank financing you are talking about. that doesn't mean we shouldn't do what you suggest, accused the united states of preventing as

if we are sanctioning africa i think is two parts. i'll ask other witnesses, does china provide aid or only commercial relationship? to what extent does china do something that has no benefit for china, just there to benefit others? >> i don't -- >> i can try to say something. can you hear me? >> yes. >> very quickly, china does both. it provides loans and aid like many other countries. china looks forward. it's been trying to do both in african countries for a long time. building for the future and seeing the continent as it geopolitical ally for the future. >> thank you.

the world's greatest contributor to local warming. u.s. into a greater extent of the rest of the western countries are doing a lot to combat global warming. do africans understand that, does china get any blame for its failure to do anything about global warming? i'll ask one of the other witnesses. >> whether china -- >> yes. >> the new problem is this. there's no funding to adapt to climate change. the 100 billing dollars for both mitigation and others. >> that is an interesting answer but it seems like whether we do a good job in africa or not,

china escaped many criticism and america tends to get blamed sometimes deservedly but sometimes not. the final thing i'll say, the capital market subcommittee where we focus on private sector investment and a lot of americans are looking for ways to invest not just for return but also to do good in the world and part of the provide aid in africa. to what extent do we have american mutual funds americans can invest in almost solely in africa. i want to mention to my colleagues i would like to work with them trying to get a fund in the investment of the federal employees were instead of just having global fund for federal global so i'll ask our

witnesses, are there enough conduits to draw funds for those individual americans who want to see their money invested? >> do you want to take that? >> no. >> the problem in africa is what we need is an instrument to access this, this is where the money is. the reason countries go to china, they could provide more with this instrument, there would be many things available.

this problem simply because -- >> my time has expired and i do think we need to look for ways to invest in africa that doesn't involve the u.s. federal government spending money for taking risks along with the situations where we do. i'll call i believe the most senior republican, joe wilson. i'll recognize him for five minutes. >> q very much and this is bipartisan, very significant interest of members to be here, what an honor. glad to be here with our colleagues. very interesting, over the weekend i saw an article about writers explaining the saharan

pipeline and it fits in to what you were talking about, the development and nigeria working with niger and algeria to provide natural gas to europe and this would be to stop intimidation and blackmailing of putin, the people of the european union so with the investment proposed, $13 billion, there could be 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year provided from nigeria through the saharan pipeline. it's mutually beneficial to the people of africa so i hope everybody looks at this article from reuters and put in the congressional record. it was important to me we have a positive alternative to the blackmail putin is conducting today. i found out even brad sherman

doesn't know this, cousin of the pipeline coming through morocco that could have a great impact on being an alternative to the situation we have of blackmail from putin so this would be mutually beneficial to europe and the people of africa. the question i have for whomever would like to answer, putin's war on ukraine trend stability around the world. eleven actors assert their influence across africa so political unrest within democracies. in libya putin deployed mercenaries and military equipment supporting the war load. how does the global democratic community provide support to activists on the ground combating disinformation and undo influence by regimes like

the ccp and war criminal putin? what more can we do to help document human rights abuses against pro- democracy opposition and empower them to the uphill battles they face? i believe worldwide we are in a conflict in the conflict between democracies rule of law against authoritarian governments rule of gun in the in the interest of people africa and worldwide we need to address this and whomever would like to answer this, i would be happy to hear. >> thank you for your view. on the african continent, it is new and we remember during the

cold war the soviet union was close part of african leaders, they help them support their independence in the 60s. i think this link has a lot today in africa that said, in africa, people are concerned about the situation. i think we should not take advantage of the situation. political agenda to the mercenary but nobody in africa

is dreaming of the political system or this way of life. the same for china. it is critical to solve the problem where western countries are involved. for example, a 20 year war, we know this war has many factors including the situation in libya. here again putin takes advantage of this to invent their own political agenda. it's going on in kyiv so to me

the question is not about china but western politics to africa. i think the best answer to provide here is adjust or reshape or better craft to africa. then from there we go. like i said, young and people, they don't dream of the chinese or this system. >> thank you very much and i yield back. >> i believe our last question are -- although -- oh, there is chairman meeks, he's back. i'll turn it back to chairman meeks. >> thank you for standing in.

i'll defer to the state of virginia and i'll go after the last witness. ...

>> . >> that can you just add a little more into your perspective and to connect us businesses and african economy, excuse me companies to the benefit of the economy and certainly especially looking at what other countries may be doing in the

region? >> thank you for that question. and just to answer a very specific question, no there is no current retail product for regular americans who invest in equity. that does not exist right now. on the question of china in us response of starting point is china provides a package deal here and african leader you are not just getting the power sector, a power plan you actually getting a package with the transmission lines in the industrial zone i would not overstate the strings attached some of those are beneficial to african governments and a lot of chinese investment is in areas the us is not now and never

will be investing. we should recognize that chinese investment is awesome. >> a reference from the chinese not from the us? >> a lot of the roads and construction contracts come with cheap finance and we just are not doing that large hydro also the us does not bills and opposes large hydro projects at the african development bank and the chinese are building large hydro the ability. so the issue in my view the interagency is so fragmented that you have a dedicated to

coordinator not just a figurehead which will create a lot of meetings but not a lot of projects. 's i would be happy to talk in more detail with you or your staff about some of those issues thinking about how to make that work better in the energy sector. and applied more broadly. >> i'm over on time so mr. chairman thank you for giving me your time. i yield back. >> the gentle lady yield back. i want to think the witnesses.

i have a series of questions i want to ask. my first question, what is your sense of why we as an international community have marshaled the strategy and policy initiatives that we see in the context of the ukraine and the indo pacific? and how do you think we can correct the course? >> thank you so much congressman. i want to commend you for the session and your interest to bring a more strategic approach to africa. i want to mention something which is very important.

africans do have a way forward into strategy. we have the africa 2053 strategy. we have a vision how to move the content forward. and wits to industrialize it what they want to do about it. i think the best way forward strategically if we can work with the african leaders and unions to actually try to build on the africa 2063 strategy. there is a lot of meat in there. they tried to do with the indo pacific and other areas. this is coming from the strategy and then trying to say how do we support them to do this? we have so many opportunities

on the continent now. the african continental suite one.4 billion for us companies. that has not yet been taken advantage of. on top of that strategy to put this in place and in the manufacturing sector to add value to export the continent and also i know that was considered action to the world within the next decade to come together with the us on some of these actions. can i just mention one last thing? one glaring opportunity is a move by the us to look at secure trade and to build resilience of supply chain to

get supply chains away from east asia and china. one very important way to do that is to bring the supply chain to africa. and to do the manufacturing sector. so this is an opening now. and that perception of risk of investment by american companies is way beyond what the real risk is. so we need to find ways to invest. so building on 2063. >> thank you for that. building on that, covid seems to have disrupted the global supply chain that we just talked about that on top of

russia's invasion of ukraine , the global supply chain and manufacturing infrastructure and data time that i think secretary yellen used, i believe there is an employment opportunity for african countries to be more active and that is what the doctor was saying from the global supply chain to make this happen. >> and the value is coming from. i think the way the united states that they can offer to africans.

because the ways of investment it is crazy there so many global powers competing with each other. but i really think that china can provide and assist to the access to the international financial system to have africans adjust their own problems. there own problems are systemic now. when you think of the pandemic and migration, climate, all of the problems are systemic now. and so africans are forced to solve this problem that they are able to do and talk of this problem that they would like to do it remember when the chair of the african union

said those international stages that they need to be trusted. and they need to share the burden. that's why it is so important for the financial markets. and with the credit rating is g 20 oh example, there are so many ways to try to bring africans to the table so they can be actors of their own destiny. that's the most important asset in america's hands. >> i'm out of time but i guess

i can ask anyway. [laughter] how can we strike in appropriate balance to ensure those african partners have the agency required to take full ownership while international partners play a supporting role? so there are four issues so with that experience the

5 million metric tons that what what we don't want is to transform that from africa and then we're adding value and then so it's a product of africa and with that revitalization for everyone.

and for a long time and to send in the peacekeepers that is no longer working in african countries but we have worked with the administration and the african union and regional organization with the when to build that strategy and then to do that together

that equalization. >> i just want to check first with mr. wilson. and is there anything else you would like to add quick. >> i believe the congressman is with us from pennsylvania. are you on? >> he is recognized for five minutes. >> thank you mr. chairman. like all of you i appreciate

this very much certainly learning a lot getting some various views and so very important for the work that we need to do collectively and globally for our trading partners and allies and on the continent of africa. the energy issue is very important we have to be smart about it with some competing views offered but with some realistic outlooks of course we want the most responsible development possible that needs to be affordable and accessible and retrievable and it needs to be expeditious and

tapping into natural gas along with the investments that take place. long-term desires over the relatively immediate needs. and mr. chairman there's any type to visit with the foreign affairs committee and certainly welcome that opportunity. so what are some of the mistakes made in the strategy should we have? to be supportive and to

frankly in many cases outdo or be as competitive as much as another for china? into elaborate. you know what's best for your nation. and then to complement in the development and to raise the economic levels of the national security levels for your country. what would you be doing if you are sitting in the chairman's seat or for that matter the

presidents, what should us be focused on what is a three-part plan not just support but to work and execute? >> thank you so much. thank you for those comments in the question. i think the first place to start is that the us really does need to come in and invest in the continent. so i think the opportunity for leaders come i hear there

might the and opportunity there would be a good chance to say we want to support your priorities and then to tap into the strategies that have already been done for the continent since 2063 and the need for infrastructure with that private sector investment there are ways to do this so that is one —- would be where to start. so that is what we want to let

them have the dialogue. we have very important private sector in africa africa and best a lot of them come from south investments. so they establish as a younger one. so that they can actually talk to each other and deliver in the digital space and lastly i would like to suggest as we said before and then to locate in africa so what are your

priorities in this area it is a very big area that could be done and there are so many others. we are talking specifics now. so the opportunity is coming up now so with that strategy and africa's view and especially the tech sector. >> that is a very specific plan. i appreciate that. doctor? >> we are out of time. >> my apologies. >>

with the testimony and comment that this briefing for each and every one of you you're very important to this committee i look toward you to help us out with the thoughts

moving forward thank you all and this is now adjourned thank you.