By Thornical Press
January 28, 2026
In a significant move to reshape the diplomatic and economic landscape between Washington and the African continent, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met today at the African Union Commission headquarters to reaffirm the enduring importance of the U.S.-Africa relationship. The high-level meeting underscored a pivotal shift in strategy, moving toward a future defined by durable, profitable investments rather than a traditional reliance on foreign assistance. Both leaders emphasized that while peace and security remain paramount, sustainable economic growth serves as the necessary foundation for a prosperous Africa.
Central to this new chapter of cooperation is the formal establishment of the U.S.-AUC Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group (SIWG). This initiative is designed to advance quality, trade-enabling infrastructure, a move the leaders described as a critical next step in regional development. The working group’s mission is deeply rooted in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its flagship priorities, specifically targeting the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) priority corridors and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By aligning U.S. interests with these continental frameworks, the SIWG aims to create jobs and bolster economic security both in the United States and across Africa.
The SIWG will function as a specialized platform, bringing together senior officials and technical experts from both the U.S. government and the AUC. Their primary objective will be to identify and accelerate opportunities for U.S. private sector investment in AU-backed infrastructure projects. The scope of the working group is ambitious, covering the enhancement of trade and logistics infrastructure alongside a continent-wide digital transformation. By leveraging the AUC’s convening authority and the United States’ vast capital and innovative financing tools, the partnership intends to modernize the backbone of African industry and commerce.
Beyond general infrastructure, the collaboration will focus on several key strategic sectors, including the development of critical minerals and commodities supply chains, energy networks, and transportation corridors. The agreement also highlights the importance of regulatory harmonization and increased two-way trade. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to secure digital infrastructure and improve health security, goals that the leaders believe will ultimately make both Americans and Africans safer. As the SIWG begins its work, it is expected to provide a robust foundation for strategic economic cooperation that will shape the U.S.-Africa relationship for years to come.
Feature image: U.S.-AUC Investment & Growth – Thornical Press Artist
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