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U.S. policy toward Africa is in need of a facelift—in both substance and strategic vision—to keep up with the region's growing influence on the world stage. The current policy drift leaves the United States ill-equipped for new challenges. (1/12) https://www.csis.org/analysis/new-us-policy-framework-african-century
From travel bans and proposed budget cuts to derogatory statements made by senior U.S. officials, many African leaders and publics have deplored what they regard as a neglectful, mean-spirited, and China-obsessed U.S. foreign policy (2/12)
The case for elevating U.S. engagement in Africa is more than just altruism or charity. What happens in Africa does not stop at the water’s edge. Africa’s setbacks and advances are reshaping how the world works. (3/12)
A revitalized relationship with African countries must prioritize engagement with African counterparts because there are strategic issues on the table. President Kennedy defied his bureaucrats, insisting that he could forge stronger partnerships (4/12)
The U.S. should stop resting on its laurels, pointing to decades-old programs to argue it is a truer friend than China. Washington is unlikely to succeed by adopting a zero-sum approach, ignoring in its strengths, eschewing multilateralism, and denying African agency. (5/12)
The United States should increase its investments in urban areas and strengthen its diplomatic engagement with the region’s municipal leaders. Urbanization is the single most important transformation the African continent will undergo this century. (6/12)
The United States should engage its private sector in a more honest conversation about the region's economic opportunities. It should identify which sectors align with U.S. comparative advantage, including energy, entertainment, services, and technology. (7/12)
The United States should experiment with new venues and diplomatic pairings to advance its agenda in Africa and other regions. It should encourage its smaller embassies to serve as laboratories of innovation, testing new initiatives to potentially scale across the region. (8/12)
The United States should tap its movie stars, athletes, and musicians to serve as cultural ambassadors. They represent America’s diversity and underscore the deep ties between us. The U.S. entertainment industry understands this opportunity, churning out African content. (9/12)
The U.S. government should invest in marketing and hard data to underpin its messaging. U.S. public affairs specialists rarely use focus groups or polling data to hone their message. There is little understanding of what resonates with African and U.S. audiences. (10/12)
The United States must engage Africans in an honest and candid dialogue about our country's polarized politics and persistent racial inequality. U.S. diplomats need to solicit and listen to African opinions on positive and negative developments in America. (11/12)
In conclusion, the United States has to dare to think differently, pursuing its objectives with renewed purpose. Africans are set to play a much more important role in global affairs, the global economy, and the global imagination. Our policy must meet this moment. (12/12)
