US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced a US$1billion investment portfolio between the US and Senegal.
He made the announcement on Saturday in the Senegalese capital Dakar, on the final leg of his three-nation Africa tour.
According to a press statement, the agreenment entails road construction, notably a major highway linking the capital city Dakar and the northern city of Saint-Louis.
Blinken arrived in Dakar from Abuja on Friday, following an earlier visit to Kenya. The top US diplomat was recieved on arrival at the Blaise Diagne International Airport outside Dakar by Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aïssata Tall Sall.
Mr Blinken held meetings with Senegalese President Macky Sall at the presidential palace in Dakar and then with
Foreign Affairs Minister Aïssata Tall Sall.
The statement added that the talks focused on deepening of the strong partnership between the United States and Senegal.
The agreement with Senegal and various US companies, according to the statement, also include the construction of bridges, the improvement of trade corridors with neighboring countries, as well as a national communication network for emergency services.
“[I am] delighted to witness the signing of MoU with Economic Minister Amadou Hott, marking more that $1billion investments in Senegal. Today’s commitments are examples of how the Build Back better World Initiatove and Prosper Africa US deliver for the people of America and Senegal,” the US Secretary of State twitted following the signing of the agreements.
Also part of his engagement while in the West African nation is efforts to realize Senegal’s dream of establishing a Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing plan. Blinken was scheduled to visit the pestegious Pasteur Institute of Dakar, where the US-supported facility is being assembled. The United States is contributig $3.3 million U.S. to the project.
Blinken was scheduled to depart for the US later in the day.
Blinken’s visit is seen as US President Joe Biden’s move to assert US’ inflemce in Africa in the face of the growing influence of China and other foreign powers.
According to analysts, Africa accounts for less than 2 percent of U.S. bilateral relations, indicating a low preference for the U.S. government in terms of trade.
Senegal is one of the United States’ key partners on the African continent. Almost all visits by recent US presidents have included the Francophone nation.
