On Sunday, December 11, President Muhammadu Buhari will fly to Washington, D.C., to attend the United States-Africa Leaders’ Summit with other African leaders.
The High-Level Meeting which holds December 13-15 is at the instance of the United States President, Joe Biden, who looks forward to “working with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of US-Africa relations.”
According to the statement made by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba, the event is scheduled to demonstrate the United States’ lasting commitment to Africa, and underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and enhanced cooperation on shared global issues.
The Summit further seeks more pragmatic ways to foster new economic engagement; advance peace, security, and good governance; reinforce commitment to democracy, human rights, and civil society; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health security; promote food security; respond to the climate crisis; amplify diaspora ties, and promote education and youth leadership.
“On the first day, President Buhari will speak on the topic: Conservation, Climate Adaptation and a Just Energy Transition dwelling directly on the” Just Energy Transition” component. He will also address some of the other sub-themes of the Summit as well as participate in the US-Africa Business Forum (USABF) hosted by the US Department of Commerce which focuses on increased trade and investment between the United States and African nations.
“On the sidelines of the Summit, the Corporate Council of Africa will host the Nigerian delegation to a US-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum Business Roundtable during which Nigerian organisations and businesses are expected to sign agreements with their American counterparts,” it stated.
On Sunday, December 18, President Buhari is anticipated to return to the country. He will be accompanied on the journey by Governors Bala Mohammed and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the states of Bauchi and Kwara, respectively.