Biden Photo:VCG

There is now growing speculation over the direction US Africa policy will take as the Biden-Harris administration settles in Washington. There is even more speculation over whether US policy in Africa will take on a cooperating or competing tone with China.

The last four years have seen the US move away from multilateralism to nationalistic policies. Meanwhile, China has expanded its open-door policy to as many African countries as possible.

An indicator on how US new administration will approach Africa can be read in President Joe Biden's first speech to the African Union this past February. He spoke of his administration being committed to working with the African Union "to advance our shared vision of a better future."

Biden further spoke of a vision to boost growing trade and investment that advances peace and security. These sentiments are a carbon copy of China's outlook toward Africa.

China was the first global economic powerhouse to design and implement a diplomatic approach that engages Africa as an equal partner - and not a continent in need of perpetual aid.

China-Africa cooperation is in fact an outstanding partnership. It is built on nothing less than mutual respect and commitments to common benefits.

This strategic partnership is a blueprint born out of years of cultural exchanges that enhance an understanding of what Africa needs and, what it can offer. Since 1991, China's foreign ministers have chosen Africa as the first choice for their official overseas trips every year.

A long-term, stable and mutually beneficial China-Africa cooperation has emerged. It would seem that this has not gone unnoticed based on Biden's remarks.

When the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in 2018, the theme was: cooperation is gradually leading, "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation."

While debates are rife over whether or not the Biden administration will compete rather than cooperate with China within the African continent, the answer is not that straightforward.

The Biden-Harris administration, will without a doubt, adopt a more cooperative approach in its foreign policies. Biden himself has extensive foreign policy experience and once chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But his administration finds a very strong China that has very much captured the socioeconomic heart of the African continent.

On areas of convergence, global security will be a priority area. Africa is a continent of interest with regard to global security, and China and the US are very much likely to cooperate there. 

Of course, the nation of Djibouti in Africa has been touted as a fertile ground for the rivalry between the US and China. 

This is the only nation thus far that simultaneously hosts Chinese military bases. Djibouti is also a very strategic country due to its proximity to the Red Sea, a conduit for an estimated 30 percent of the world's trade.

Peace is at the center of global economic development. China and the US have consistently invested heavily and cooperated in peacekeeping. All indications are that they will continue to do so.

They will also continue to cooperate in matters of public health. Both countries have similar investments and have shown a great commitment to public health in Africa. 

There could also be cooperation in areas such as education. Africa boasts of a large youthful population, estimated to be 60 percent of its total population. 

The youthful population presents a common ground for both China and the US as they have both shown a significant commitment to grow a human resource that the continent can leverage to its advantage.

There is, however, likely to be fierce rivalry in matters of trade and investment. China has consistently flexed its economic muscle and emerged as a global economic force. 

The US is Africa's third largest trading partner after China and the EU. Equally important, in 2020, China overtook the US to become EU's biggest trading partner. 

Against this backdrop, there is little doubt that the US will seek to reclaim its seat at the top. While grappling with an unpredictable economy and spiraling unemployment rates, the US has its hands full.

Meanwhile, China has a firm grip on global trade, and the China-Africa cooperation continues to run smoothly. Economic experts project that this cooperation will only grow from strength to strength.

The author is a Kenya-based journalist. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn