WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi joined President Biden and a delegation of U.S. government officials on the second day of the Africa Leaders Summit. Ambassador Tai participated in a panel at the U.S.-African Business Forum on “The Future of African Trade and Investment Relations with the United States” with President William Ruto of Kenya; Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco; Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa; Alfred Kelly, Chairman and CEO of Visa; and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary General, Wamkele Mene.
Immediately following the panel discussion, Ambassador Tai and Secretary General Mene signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote further collaboration between the United States and the AfCFTA Secretariat. Ambassador Tai announced this MOU signing as a move “to create a platform for a regular dialogue with the AfCFTA Secretariat and other stakeholders to address matters of mutual interest about the negotiation and implementation of the AfCFTA.” She also congratulated all of the African stakeholders who have been instrumental in the AfCFTA work to date, including the African Heads of State in Washington, leadership of the African Regional Economic Communities, and AfCFTA Secretary General Mene.
Later in the day, Ambassador Tai held bilateral meetings with Morocco’s Prime Minister Akhannouch and Togo’s President Gnassingbé and shared her vision for inclusive, sustainable development, as well as stronger continental integration with U.S. government and commercial collaboration.
Ambassador Sarah Bianchi also held meetings with Prime Minister Jugnauth of Mauritius and Victor Fernandes, Angola’s Minister of Industry and Commerce while Ambassador Tai met with African Union Commissioner for Trade, Albert Muchanga.
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