The United States and the African Union (AU) have launched a Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group (SIWG) to accelerate economic partnerships and deepen transatlantic cooperation. The initiative aims to create jobs, boost prosperity, and strengthen economic security across both regions.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf announced the formation of the SIWG on Wednesday following a high-level meeting at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The two leaders reaffirmed the central importance of the US–Africa relationship and highlighted the AU’s role as a key partner in advancing shared economic and development priorities.
In a joint statement, the United States and the AUC emphasized that while peace and security remain essential, sustainable economic growth is the cornerstone of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
They identified the development of high-quality, trade-enabling infrastructure as a critical next step in unlocking the continent’s growth potential.
The SIWG will align its work with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and flagship initiatives, including the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) priority corridors and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the joint statement, the working group will serve as a platform for senior officials and technical experts from both sides to identify and advance opportunities for US private sector investment in AU-backed infrastructure projects and related initiatives.
The group’s focus areas will include trade and logistics infrastructure, digital transformation, and the strengthening of critical supply chains for minerals and commodities.
It will also work to enhance transportation corridors, energy networks, and regulatory harmonisation across African markets.
Leveraging the AU’s regional expertise and convening power alongside US capital and innovative financing tools, the SIWG seeks to expand two-way trade, secure digital infrastructure, and improve health security.
Both parties expressed confidence that the initiative will deliver tangible benefits for citizens across Africa and the United States, marking a new chapter in US–Africa economic cooperation.
