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Abstract

The focus of this article is to analyze the state of US private investments in Africa, the nature, pattern, and trend of such investments, and various ideas about factors that have either inhibited or accelerated the growth of investment flows to countries in the region. US private investments in Africa were inconsequential from the 1960s to 1990s, but in the 2000s, significant efforts were made by the US government to encourage, promote, and support private US firms to invest in Africa, and efforts were also made by African governments to increase US private investments on the continent. My research shows significant increases in US private investments to the region beginning in 2000, which I attribute to such efforts partially driven by the goal of challenging China’s surge in Africa. I then look at Africa and how it compares with other regions in accessing US foreign investments. My findings are that Africa’s share of US investments is minuscule compared to US investments elsewhere in the world. I conclude with suggestions on mechanisms that African states could utilize to become more competitive in attracting US investments.

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