HIGH LEVEL READOUT ON FOCAC 2021: EXPERT VIEW ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE CHINESE COMMERCIAL FOOTPRINT IN AFRICAN MARKETS - The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a high-level panel event on the outcomes of the 2021 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the evolution of the Chinese commercial engagement with African nations on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. The panel featured leading voices in African economic development and global engagement and was the first public readout of FOCAC in Washington policy circles. Ambassador Rama Yade gave opening remarks and Senior Fellow Ms. Aubrey Hruby moderated.

For over five years, US-Africa policy has increasingly been rightly or wrongly framed in the context of US -China global competition. While the White House is currently drafting a new Africa strategy, it is critical to ensure that the African view and approach to engaging with the Chinese is better understood in Washington and global policy circles. and this is an important opportunity to shape that agenda. This expert panel aims to dispel myths, inform US trade and investment policy and outline an approach better aligned with African realities and aspirations.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 11/30/21