Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters

This report analyzes the strategic importance of President Barack Obama's June 2013 visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. It frames the visit as part of a broader shift in US-Africa relations, moving from the strategic indifference of the 1990s toward a partnership focused on economic growth, democratic strengthening, energy security, and youth leadership development, while competing with China's significant trade presence on the continent.

• President Barack Obama's visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from 26 June to 3 July 2013 aims to expand economic growth, investment, and trade, strengthen democratic institutions, and invest in future African leaders. This follows a 2012 Africa strategy stating that "Africa is more important than ever to the security and prosperity of the international community, and to the United States in particular."
• The US is facing significant competition from China, which has surpassed the US as Africa's largest trading partner. While US goods trade with sub-Saharan Africa tripled over the last decade, China's trade grew from US$10.6bn in 2000 to US$198.5bn in 2012, compared to the US's US$99.6bn in 2012.
• US security engagement in Africa focuses on combating al-Qaeda and supporting African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. This includes the use of drones for intelligence and the establishment of "lily pads" or bases, though these actions have drawn criticism regarding the violation of African sovereignty.
• The US is targeting energy poverty through specific investments, such as a 2012 two billion dollar agreement between the US Export-Import Bank and South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for renewable energy. Additionally, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) provided a US$310 million loan in 2011 to OrPower to expand a geothermal plant in Kenya, which then supplied at least 5% of Kenya's total power demand.
• To address youth unemployment and leadership, the US launched the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in 2010. This program has included 160 exchange fellowships for leaders under 35 and over US$2 million in grants, including US$750,000 for alumni groups and US$1.3 million in USAID grants for professional training and mentorship.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2013). Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters. https://saiia.org.za/research/special-report-why-obama-s-visit-to-africa-matters/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters. 2013. https://saiia.org.za/research/special-report-why-obama-s-visit-to-africa-matters/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters |date=25 June 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/special-report-why-obama-s-visit-to-africa-matters/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2013why, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Why Obama’s visit to Africa matters}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/special-report-why-obama-s-visit-to-africa-matters/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }