US expands initiative to train leaders in Africa

LONG GAME: US President Barack Obama has tried to debunk the critique that being a reluctant warrior is a weakness. Picture: AFP PHOTO

Barack Obama says his country is expanding an initiative to develop and train political and economic leaders in Africa, including South Africa

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama says his country is expanding an initiative to develop and train political and economic leaders in Africa, including South Africa.

Mr Obama is expanding a US-based programme for young African leaders, and the US Agency for International Development is providing $38m to create leadership centres in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Senegal.

It is drawing contributions from companies including Microsoft, the Dow Chemical Company and the Intel Corporation to keep the programmes going.

Addressing 500 young African leaders in Washington, Mr Obama said a prosperous and self-reliant Africa is crucial for global security and economic growth.

"We have to make sure we are seizing the extraordinary potential of Africa," he told the group.

The meeting, which included a question-and-answer session with the president, is a prelude to a three-day summit of US and African leaders next week in Washington.

Mr Obama said he is renaming a scholars programme he announced a year ago for Nelson Mandela.

The initiative reflects Mandela’s "optimism, his idealism, his belief in what he called ‘the endless heroism of youth’", Mr Obama said.

It is "a long-term investment" in Africa and its people.

Under the programme, Africans aged 25-35 study at 20 top US universities. It is part of the US investment programme in Africa to strengthen democracy, spark economic growth and boost the odds "for peace and security in Africa", according to a White House statement on Monday.

Mr Obama cited the work of fellowship members, one of whom is fighting against sex slavery and pushing for women’s rights. Another is working on a programme to help generate electricity so farmers can irrigate crops.

"I want to make sure the US will be your friend and partner every step of the way," Mr Obama said, leading to new businesses. "There are ways you can make a difference."

The regional leadership centres are set to open by next year to provide leadership training as well as entrepreneurship services, including mentoring, technology and access to capital.

Bloomberg