Biden seeks principled Africa partnership as US businesses pour in

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden called for a long-term partnership with Africa rooted in good governance as US businesses unveiled billions of dollars led by tech investment for a continent where China has become a top player.

Addressing a summit that brought 49 African leaders to the Washington cold, Biden avoided uttering China's name but made clear the United States would take a different approach.

At the first such gathering since Barack Obama invited African leaders in 2014, Biden said the United States sought "partnerships -- not to create political obligation, to foster dependence, but to spur shared success and opportunity."

"When Africa succeeds, the United States succeeds. Quite frankly, the whole world succeeds as well," the president said.

The Biden administration is laying out more than $55 billion in support over the three-day summit and on Wednesday welcomed US and African businesses, which promised more than $15 billion in trade deals.

In an implicit contrast with China, which takes a hands-off approach in countries where it invests, Biden highlighted "the core values that unite our people -- all our people, especially young people: freedom, opportunity, transparency, good governance."

Africa's economic transition, he said, "depends on good government, healthy populations and reliable and affordable energy."