World
Carson Heads US-Africa Leaders Summit Partnership Projects and Programmes Implementation
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
During the US-Africa Leaders Summit, the White House and African leaders stressed the importance of Africa’s voices at two distinctive levels – the first at the United Nations Security Council and G-20, and the second within the US-African institutional structures. For the United States, engaging African professionals is one surest way to work towards integrated relations.
US President, Mr Joe Biden, has already signed an executive order for the creation of an African Diaspora Secretariat as part of the White House administration.
The African Union representative office in Washington signals the fact that, in terms of monitoring and coordinating, the continental body is getting down to practical business in working with the diaspora and uplifting relations between the United States and Africa.
According to World Bank Statistics, remittance inflows to Sub-Saharan Africa soared 14.1 per cent to $49 billion in 2021, following an 8.1 per cent decline in the previous year due coronavirus pandemic. Beyond remittances, Africa stands to benefit largely from the input of its diaspora considered progressive in the United States.
Over the years, African leaders have been engaging with their diaspora, especially those excelling in sports, academia, business, science, technology, engineering and other significant sectors that the continent needs to optimize its diverse potentials and to meet development priorities. These are bridges leveraging the United States and Africa.
The African diaspora ranks among the most educated immigrant group and makes invaluable contributions in various sectors, including business, medicine, healthcare, engineering, transportation and many more. It is an important factor in strengthening the connectivity between the regions, which ultimately supports U.S.-Africa relations in this emerging multipolar world.
Welcoming African entrepreneurs, African-American and African leaders for a reception, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was guided by the principle of close partnership with Africa.
“We can’t solve any of the really big challenges we face if we don’t work together. So it’s about what we can do with African nations and its people,” Blinken said. “We welcome all other members of the international community, including the United States, to join us in the global efforts to help Africa.”
In featuring prominently integrative aspects and cultural familiarity within the African diaspora, New York Mayor Eric Adams said that the success of African Americans showed the need for Africans to “walk differently.”
“We are thrilled with the outcome of this historic summit gathering,” said Nima Elmi, CEO and Co-Founder of Africa House. “Not only did it benefit the United States and African diplomatic relationships, but leaders will also leave with tangible business and economic outputs.”
Africa House will hold various events throughout the year, with the next one scheduled to take place in Davos, Switzerland, next month as part of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting. Africa House is a non-profit project supported by a team of experts that bring together a combined 30+ years of experience on the continent and leading African initiatives.
The Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Secretariat of the Africa Diaspora, the Africa House and the Young African Leaders Initiative are efforts directed at promoting multifaceted relations with Africa. Now there is the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States working on deepening some aspects of relations with the region.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson, a Senior Advisor at the Institute’s Africa Centre, has been appointed as Special Representative for the US-Africa Leaders Summit implementation. Ultimately, for coordinating and monitoring questions relating to the entire post-Summit implementation processes, including projects and programmes.
He will be working closely with government ministries and departments, institutions and organizations both in the United States and Africa. He will liaise with the State’s Bureau of African Affairs and the newly created Secretariat of the Africa Diaspora at the Presidency, and non-government organizations.
Ambassador Carson has tremendous organizational skills, and his professional reputation is well-known both in the United States and in Africa. His 37-year career in foreign service includes ambassadorships to the Republics of Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda. Among other posts, he has also served as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, as National Intelligence Officer for Africa at the National Intelligence Council, and as the Senior Vice-President of the National Defense University in Washington.
His appointment was based on the fact that his passion, diplomatic know-how, well-established network of leaders and civil society members and unwavering dedication are results-oriented, as shown in the preparation of the US-Africa Leaders Summit held in December in Washington.
“There is not a better signal or a better person, in terms of the fact that we are going to have a real and genuine follow-up, than the fact that Johnnie Carson is going to be riding herd over a day in, day out. And if he puts his mind to something, he will get it done,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said about him at a press conference during the summit.
In response to the appointment, Ambassador Carson said, “I am humbled to serve in this new role. The coming months will be a critical time to cement the progress made at the US-Africa Leaders Summit to ensure the United States and Africa’s relationships are bolstered and expanded as we partner ahead on the African Union’s Agenda 2063.”
Beyond the Biden Administration, beginning in 2023 the US (both public and private sector) have year-round comprehensive programmes, concrete initiatives and various investment projects to work on and that appeal to the hearts and minds of African leaders and their people. The White House looks to use the existing opportunities to deepen as many partnerships as possible and to ultimately narrow the gaping trust gap with Africa.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
For the first time in its history, the World Public Summit will be held on the African continent. On 29–30 July 2026, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, will host the World Public Summit. Africa — “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future.”
The Summit is organised by the World Peoples Assembly in cooperation with African partner organisations. It will bring together leaders of public diplomacy, representatives of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, academics, experts, representatives of the education and cultural sectors, youth leaders, socially responsible businesses, media professionals, and civil society institutions from across Africa and other regions of the world.
The World Public Summit. Africa continues the work initiated during the First World Public Assembly “A New World of Conscious Unity,” held in Moscow in September 2025, and serves as one of the key milestones in preparation for the Second World Public Assembly “A New World: Values That Unite,” which will take place in Moscow on 18–19 September 2026.
Today, Africa is emerging as one of the principal centres of global development. Rapid demographic growth, expanding entrepreneurship, strengthening regional integration, rich cultural heritage, and the growing role of civil society institutions make the continent an increasingly important contributor to the future architecture of international cooperation.
The Summit will focus on issues of genuine sovereignty and sustainable development, public diplomacy, preservation of cultural and historical heritage, international cooperation in education and science, youth engagement, innovation-driven development, creative industries, and the formation of new partnerships among countries and peoples.
The main business programme of the Summit will take place on 30 July 2026 at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa. Holding the Summit at UNECA highlights its pan-African dimension and creates opportunities for broad international dialogue on humanitarian cooperation and public diplomacy.
The programme will include plenary sessions, strategic dialogues, and expert panels dedicated to values-based development, education, culture, youth leadership, innovation, and international cooperation.
Participation has already been confirmed by Professor Saidou Madougou, Director of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union; Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union and UNECA in Addis Ababa; Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of the Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division of UNECA, as well as ministers, leaders of public organisations, and representatives of the business community from a number of African countries.
On the same day, the ADWA Victory Memorial Museum—Ethiopia’s national memorial complex dedicated to the Victory of Adwa and an important centre for preserving the historical memory of the Ethiopian people—will host the award ceremony of the regional stage of the V International Competition “Leader of Public Diplomacy”, followed by a large-scale cultural programme.
One of the key outcomes of the Summit will be the adoption of the African Communiqué, reflecting proposals and recommendations aimed at strengthening humanitarian, educational, cultural, and public cooperation between African countries and other regions of the world.
The outcomes, initiatives, and recommendations were developed during the World Public Summit. Africa will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly “A New World: Values That Unite”, to be held in Moscow on 18–19 September 2026.
According to Andrey Belyaninov, General Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly, “the Addis Ababa Summit is an important step toward building a new world founded on mutual respect, cultural diversity, dialogue and sustainable development.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom will get its seventh Prime Minister in 10 years as Mr Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday.
The Minister said he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party and will leave office within weeks, scarcely two years after being elected in a landslide.
Mr Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen by the party.
Mr Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes.
He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then, his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.
His departure was triggered by the victory of Mr Andy Burnham in a special election last week. The popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester planned to challenge the existing PM for the Labour leadership.
Mr Starmer made the announcement outside the prime minister’s 10 Downing St. residence with a brief statement on Monday.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Mr Starmer said. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
Mr Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to stand outside 10 Downing Street and announce a premature departure.
It comes the day before Britain marks the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the European Union, a decision that still affects the country’s economy and politics.
Over the past decade, 10 Downing Street has had six occupants, including Mr David Cameron, who left office in 2016 after the Brexit referendum and was succeeded by Ms Theresa May. She was followed by Mr Boris Johnson, whose tenure covered Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. After Mr Johnson came Ms Liz Truss, whose 49-day premiership was the shortest in British history. Mr Rishi Sunak then took office before being succeeded by Mr Starmer, the outgoing occupant of Number 10.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A financing facility of up to $60 million has been secured by AXIAN Energy, the energy division of the AXIAN Group.
The funding package was provided by MCB, one of the leading financial institutions in the Indian Ocean region.
It comprises a $40 million revolving credit facility with a three-year tenor and extension option, and $20 million in unfunded instruments, providing AXIAN Energy with enhanced financial flexibility, enabling the company to rapidly mobilise resources and seize development opportunities across its target markets.
The energy firm is expected to use the capital to deliver large-scale energy infrastructure projects across Africa.
Over the past two years, AXIAN Energy has significantly accelerated its growth by expanding its renewable energy project pipeline, with solar projects currently under development in Senegal, Benin, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso.
Building on this momentum, AXIAN Energy now operates a portfolio comprising 350 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, supported by 77 MWh of energy storage capacity, positioning the AXIAN Group as a major contributor to Africa’s energy transition.
The chief executive of AXIAN Energy, Mr Benjamin Memmi, said, “This transaction marks a key milestone in AXIAN Energy’s growth trajectory. It provides us with the financial capacity to sustain the momentum we have built over the past two years, further strengthening our renewable energy portfolio and expanding our presence across new African markets.”
Also commenting, the Global Head of Structured Finance at MCB, Mr Mathieu Delteil, said, “We are proud to support AXIAN Energy in structuring this facility, reaffirming our commitment to enabling transformative projects across Africa.
“By leveraging our sector expertise and deep understanding of regional markets, we have delivered a tailored financing solution that aligns with AXIAN’s long-term renewable energy ambitions.
“This partnership highlights our role as a strategic financial partner, mobilising capital towards investments that drive sustainable growth and accelerate the energy transition across the continent.”
The financing agreement between the two organisations strengthens their long-standing relationship because it is driven by a shared commitment to supporting infrastructure development and economic growth across Africa.
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