As if to underline the importance that the Chinese see in Africa , within two weeks of assuming office in March 2013 , the new Chinese president Xi Jinping visited two of the three African countries Obama will be visiting on his African trip , Tanzania and South Africa . President Obama is visiting Africa after years of little diplomatic engagement with continent . Peter Bergen : Bergen takes advantage of the opportunity to vastly expand trade . He says Obama is seeking to counter China , and that U.S. is open for trade . Some African economies are growing very fast , and there are forecasts for more growth .
President Obama is visiting Africa after years of little diplomatic engagement with continent . Peter Bergen : Bergen takes advantage of the opportunity to vastly expand trade . He says Obama is seeking to counter China , and that U.S. is open for trade . Some African economies are growing very fast , and there are forecasts for more growth .