By any measure it's historic: The vast majority of Africa's leaders flying to Washington at the invite of the President, whose father was born on the continent, to mark what the White House hopes is a new era of cooperation. While plans for the first African Leaders Summit this week in the nation's capital are ambitious, the reality is the United States still has strides to make on the kind of political and economic relationships in Africa that can benefit both sides. Other nations, namely China, have turned their focus to the continent as a trade partner. Terrorist networks have expanded their reach in some countries, most notably in Nigeria, where hundreds of schoolgirls remain at large after being kidnapped earlier this year. And while U.S.-backed efforts have helped slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, countries there rate among the lowest in life expectancy and infant mortality.
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Majority of African leaders convene in Washington for first-ever African leaders summit
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Ebola outbreak on the continent sure to distract from talks on trade
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U.S. hopes to be a player on the African continent and blunt China's influence
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The unrest has inflicted damage on @placeholder economies, including Nigeria's, the largest on the continent.
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The unrest has inflicted damage on African economies, including @placeholder's, the largest on the continent.
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Countering @placeholder: The United States has some catching up to do in Africa when it comes to trade and investment.
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China's imports of @placeholder oil and natural minerals have skyrocketed over the past two decades.
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Alongside have come massive @placeholder investments in African infrastructure and construction projects, manned by waves of Chinese workers who ended up remaining in Africa.
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Alongside have come massive Chinese investments in @placeholder infrastructure and construction projects, manned by waves of Chinese workers who ended up remaining in Africa.