Washington ( CNN ) -- President Barack Obama will participate in a full day of discussion with African leaders Wednesday , turning the conversation to `` overall prosperity '' in the third and final day of the African Leaders Summit in Washington , D.C. A White House official told CNN that the President will highlight the `` complex security challenges '' African countries face and how the United States can support them . The panel discussion is focused on `` Peace and Regional Stability , '' one of three in which Obama will participate at the U.S. State Department Wednesday . `` U.S. assistance seeks to enable African governments to protect civilians , strengthen security forces that respect human rights , and move away from the need for costly outside intervention . The discussion also will broach ways to build African capacity in terms of peacekeeping , counterterrorism , and maritime security , among other areas , '' the White House official told CNN . 5 reasons Obama 's Africa leaders ' summit matters . In May , the President announced plans for a Counterterrorism Partnership Fund that would allow the U.S. to train and support countries fighting to eradicate terrorists such as al Qaeda and bring peace to African nations such as Yemen , Somalia , Libya , Mali , and particularly in Nigeria , against the threat of Boko Haram . Administration officials have suggested that the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan could be used to pay for this effort . Earlier in the week , the summit brought together heads of state from Africa and top White House officials -- Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden -- who addressed leaders on issues from economic development to human rights , as well as government corruption and transparency . Obama will focus on these issues in a separate panel at the State Department centered on governance . Bill Clinton : America has 'barely scratched the surface ' on African investment . The theme of inclusiveness will color this discussion as the President discusses ways to encourage sustainable growth and root out corruption . `` The United States is a committed partner to those working to build vibrant , democratic societies , '' a White House official told CNN . `` Many African nations have made demonstrable progress instituting democratic reforms , though political institutions in many countries remain fragile . The United States helps build capacity for effective , accountable , and responsive governance , supports civil society and independent media , and helps improve the credibility and transparency of elections and other democratic processes . '' First lady Michelle Obama and former first lady Laura Bush will host a symposium on investments in education , health and public-private partnerships that runs simultaneously to the President 's discussion . According to White House National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes , one of the key focuses of the discussion is Michelle Obama 's commitment to girls ' education and the empowerment of women in Africa . Africa and U.S. : Invest in human rights .
Obama will discuss `` overall prosperity '' on the last day of the Africa summit . The US president is expected to announce a new initiative for African nations that would include more aid and debt relief as well as increased trade with Africa. Obama also tackles corruption in Africa , a topic Biden addressed during the summit .