Secretary Blinken's Virtual Travel to Africa
SUMMARY
- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made his first virtual visit to Africa on April 27 with visits to Kenya and Nigeria.
- Secretary Blinken began his virtual travel to Africa meeting with Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) alumni. In a “Ten Questions with Tony” event, YALI alumni engaged with the Secretary on a range of topics, including the role of youth in the future of Africa, economic development, democracy and good governance, climate change, and health. Through YALI, the United States works with public, private sector, and civil society partners across the continent to develop initiatives and economic opportunities to support the creativity, innovativeness, and energy of Africa’s youth.
- The Secretary’s virtual trip to Kenya celebrated our 57-year bilateral relationship. Secretary Blinken met with President Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary Omamo to reaffirm our strategic partnership, discuss future cooperation to promote democracy and expand trade, and explore avenues to address global challenges, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary visited Kenyan-based renewable energy companies that, thanks in part to U.S. government engagement, are a model of innovative clean energy alternatives in Africa. Finally, as part of our solidarity with Kenya amid the global pandemic, the Secretary highlighted a U.S.-donated Mobile Field Hospital to which the United States is providing essential COVID-19 medical supplies through AFRICOM and the Massachusetts National Guard’s State Partnership Program.
Links:
The United States and Kenya: Strategic Partners
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before Virtual Meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at the Virtual Kenya-U.S. Interagency Clean Energy Event
Young African Leaders Initiative