US companies plan $14 bln in Africa investments

US companies are planning $14 billion worth of investments in Africa, a White House official said Tuesday as Washington seeks to strengthen commercial ties during the historic US-Africa Leaders Summit.

With the United States seeking to counter the Chinese and European trade dominance in Africa, a White House official said the investments will span a range of industries, including construction, clean energy, banking and information technology.

The announcement came on the second day of the summit, during which President Barack Obama and US business chieftains hope to deepen ties with their African counterparts.

While the United States remains the largest source of investment on the continent, it has been largely in the oil and gas sector.

China and Europe have built stronger positions in infrastructure, manufacturing and trade, with China’s trade with Africa more than double that of the United States.

Obama, former president Bill Clinton, other US officials and chief executives of top US companies hope to woo a gathering of some 45 African heads of state and government and African business chiefs in a day-long forum in Washington.

“This forum will intensify efforts to strengthen trade and financial ties between the United States and Africa and seek to create partnerships that will promote trade, accelerate job growth, and encourage investment,” the official said.

Africans criticize US businesses as bound too deeply to old stereotypes and too risk-averse to plunge into business with them, even though the continent is growing faster than any other region on the globe.

US officials especially want to win a large chunk of the business of electrifying Africa, building power generation plants and distribution facilities that will further enhance economic growth.

Washington also wants to ensure that US businesses get a big part of the pie of 350 million middle-class African consumers.

No details were provided on the composition or timing of the $14 billion.

General Electric, which already has a formidable presence in Africa, said Monday it was planning $2 billion in new investments to build and assemble equipment for oil and other industries, as well as training in health and other sectors.