The first US-Africa Leaders Summit in eight years could and should redefine how the US views Africa

The US has a shot at rekindling its relationship with Africa next week.

From Dec. 13-15, president Joe Biden will host around 50 heads of states and senior leaders from across the African continent in Washington, DC.

The summit’s agenda is a hefty one. “The US-Africa Leaders Summit will build on our shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the US-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights; mitigate the impact of covid-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties,” Biden said in a July statement.