Obama backs 'new model' for Africa in Tanzania speech

US President Barack Obama plays with a "soccket" ball, a soccer ball that captures the energy during game play to charge LEDs and small batteries, alongside Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete (L) on July 2, 2013 during a demonstration at the Ubungo Plaza Symbion Power Plant in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  AFP PHOTO 

By Agencies
 

 

US President Barack Obama has said he wants a "new model" for development during his first visit to Tanzania.

Mr Obama and his family were greeted by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and troupes of dancers as they arrived in the main city of Dar es Salaam.

In a speech on the last leg of his Africa tour, the US president said Tanzania had the potential to transform the region.

Trade was expected to top the agenda in his talks with business leaders.

'Partnership'

Asked whether the US had done enough to help the continent, he said: "Ultimately the goal here is for Africa to build Africa for Africans.

"Our job is to be a partner in the process and Tanzania has been one of our best partners."

Mr Obama has been criticised for lacking a grand programme for Africa, and many Africans have been disappointed at what they see as his lack of engagement with the continent, despite his ancestry there.

The president said he wanted to move away from traditional forms of international development and work more closely with businesses in Africa.

"We are looking at a new model that's based not just on aid and assistance but on trade and partnership," he said.

"Increasingly what we want to do is use whatever monies that we're providing to build capacity."

Examples he gave included investment in health systems, food self-sufficiency and sustainable power sources.

During his first visit to Tanzania, Mr Obama will also visit an US-owned power plant following his announcement over the weekend of a multi-billion-dollar electricity initiative.

The $7bn (£4.6bn) five-year initiative is intended to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, in partnership with African countries and the private sector.

He made the announcement at South Africa's University of Cape Town after the US first family had visited Robben Island, the former jail where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 years in captivity during his fight against the apartheid regime.