Clinton urges Africa to reduce trade barriers
What you need to know:
She urges Africa to pursue product diversification so as to take advantage of market access across the world.
US Secretary of State has told African countries to increase trade with each other to realise the enormous potential that exists within the continent in an address to the Agoa summit.
She told delegates at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi that Africa should "tear down trade barriers with each other."
"The biggest opportunity for African countries is to open up trade with each other," said Mrs Clinton.
She urged Africa to pursue product diversification so as to take advantage of market access across the world and said that the US viewed Africa as a "partner and not patron."
She gave the Rwandan example saying that it was the fastest growing economy in Africa with its health indicators improving. Mrs Clinton said this was commendable given the fact that the country was coming from years of "genocidal conflict."
Mrs Clinton said the US will double foreign assistance to Africa by 2014, increase trade capacity, pursue public private partnerships and expand number of bilateral treaties with African nations.
The Secretary of State said the continued social, political and economic marginalisation of African women has "left a void" that "undermines progress" in the continent.
She said that given the opportunity women can have "lasting influence" on their nations and gave the examples of Kenya’s Wangari Maathai and Liberia President Elen Johnson-Sirleaf who have played key roles in driving social and economic progress in their countries.
In a video address to the delegates, US President Obama said his country will help Africa harness its vast national resources and put in place strong institutions to promote democracy.
Kenya is hosting the eight annual Agoa summit and Mrs Clinton officially opened the conference on Wednesday.
She will also tour six other African countries in an 11-day tour, the longest of an American top diplomat to the continent.
Mrs Clinton will visit Angola, South Africa, Liberia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde and Nigeria.
