Her, there are more carlindo. All these are the top stories on al jazeera. Ive been a number of explosions in ukraines capital keeps mer, says several black rocks. The central district, the offers of the ukrainian president says the city was hit by a kamikaze drains. Mohammed jam june is in keith with more. The air alert is continuing here and keep and residents are still being urged by officials to continue to shelter in place. This was the area of key that was hit by Russian Missile strikes. Last monday i was the 1st time that the city had been in months and the city had returned to a state of relative calm. Today, people are concerned, people are worried if this is going to continue throughout the day. That district in the center of the capital is a district that the ministry of offices, their educational institutions. There are residential buildings. There was a statement that was put out by me or because they could go in which he confirmed that 2 explosions had taken place in that district. He said that a fire had broken out as a result in a residential building that proctor in the area had been hit that a residential building had been damaged and pardon me. And that and that there had been Critical Infrastructure that was allocated not far from a Railway Station that had been hit in these attacks as well. The office of the president lensky said that this attack was carried out by kamikaze drones. There has been some concern the perhaps the Railway Station in key with him because that is in that district as well. But there is going to statement that was issued by Railway Station officials. They are saying that all trains be keeping arriving to keep remain open at the underground shelters. There also remain open to people who are seeking shelter at this time. The 2 remaining candidates for brazil presidency have met in a one on one debate for the job both nora and challenge and really can actually that the silver, a locked in a tight run off race from ridge is mary. Monica ganna kim has more was a savvy to you, we still could be back. You know, i am a candidate with perspective to rebuild this country, get this country back to normality. I Want Congress to legislate and not just pass a budget. Let the government govern and let the judiciary play its role. But what is more important is that the poorest people become citizens again. And so call a thought informally, you talk so much about the poor and i want to make it very clear during the year 2020, when the people were forced to stay at home, not by my decision, but by many governors of your party. They were going to die of hunger. It was your time. Each one thing at the other one was lying, which in fact, it was true. Also, i love attack bull. So narrow because of the pandemic, the results, the 690000 people that died here and many of them because it brazil took time to our by the vaccines. And on the other hand, also, nato struck back remembering that a ruler was involved in a big corruption scandal, he ended up being imprisoned. Ah, then his trial was unknown to because of procedural errors. But nonetheless, there was a corruption scandal. And so there was analysts say here that there was a tie. Now this is a very, very nail biting election that were seeing ahead of us. Both candidates fighting for every single vote move a. So the favorite new case, new chance is expected to announce updated tax and spending measures in the coming hours. Jeremy hunt, he landed the role on friday as promised to fix public finances after his predecessors, economic plans spunk, panic on the markets. Tens of thousands of people of marston, france is capital to demand Government Action on the cost of living and climate change. To hey, as expanding its investigation into the coal mine explosion that killed 41 workers at the bloss, caused by a build up of farmable gases. Those are your headlines. The bottom line is next. Ah hi, im Steve Clemens and i have a question. How does the United States get africa so wrong and why, or other powers like china and russia and turkey making more headway on the continent . Lets get to the bottom line. Ah, no one can blame africans for assuming that the rest of the world has very little interest in their continent, except maybe for extracting natural resources, like gold and oil, or buying weapons and counter terrorism. Former us president George W Bush famously referred to it as a nation instead of a continent with 54. 00 very diverse countries, each with its own unique interest in history. President trump had awful things to say about africa, and were not going to repeat them here. The west simply hasnt updated its views on africa for centuries. Either its a place for global competition between the great powers or its in need of christian evangelism or it needs help with food and medicine. There is an enormous gap between the realities of africas dynamism and its diversity. Its entrepreneurship that make the nations of africa, many of them, some of the most fascinating places in the world. So as the United States missing out on the reality of africa day, whos getting it right. And whos filling that vacuum . Today were talking with xena guzman, senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for international peace. And previously at the world bank and inca out of go k, a veteran journalist whos been covering innovation in africa for a long time for reuters courts and were recently semaphores where he is the africa editor and im also editor at large. So hes a colleague, is enough, let me start with you and just ask how outdated is americas conception and engagement with africa as a continent . The perceptions of african, the u. S. A very much outdated and i would say that they are stuck in the 20th century for the most part. You find this across various levels of american society. So overall, africa is seen as a humanitarian case rocked by conflict by corruption by terrorism. And in need of aid, as you mentioned in your introduction, all of these things are true. The problem is that they are incomplete. They present an incomplete picture of where african countries are today. Sol, within the american government, things are starting to shift. But overall africa, as soon as she might turn back water, that is not central to us strategic priorities. As you have in the case of europe, we can see with the one ukraine, all of the billions of dollars, the ukraine and even even even other European Countries have received or the case of parts of asia. So africa is not seen as the as corte strategic parties. President biden has lots of africa since he has zoomed off is over a year ago, although he has visited europe his to the middle east with for the trip to saudi arabia. Right. President trump never stood africa, im cold africa use very colorful language to describe africa. I mean, just would say he used abhorrent language warrant language. Absolutely. At the level of Economic Engagement investments in trade. Were also seeing that the numbers are really decline in precipitously take trade. For example. You trade between the United States and african countries has actually decline from around 160000000000. 00 in 2008 to just around 64000000000. 00 today. And most of that is actually when you just look aggregated, its mostly involves oil and gas, extractive industries. Its not really trade in substantial things that can really transform our for going economies. I like what you have in china with the case of china. So trade between china and african countries reached a historic high of over 250000000000. 00 in 2021 last year. And then finally, all of this is tied up with i would say media narrative on africa in the United States, which are still very much dated. Again, this perception that africa struck by coal flaked. You know, its the humanitarian crises, all of those things. And unfortunately, i think they affect how ordinary american c africa. You have a lot of reluctance for many people to engage with a part of the world that they feel is very, very problematic. But when we come to the issues of talking about, you know, africa and what is happening there, i think part of the question is, why are china turkey even russia getting that story and americans are not to your points about dynamism. It is also the place with the worlds youngest population and you know, its often even that sometimes is portrayed as a, as a has a problem as a, as a disadvantage. But actually, the world will be relying on africa workers in the next 30 to 40 years because it is the only content and actually producing people who will be the future of humanity, really, terms of, of young workers. But also, if you look at it today, theres a fast growing, fostering checkups across the continent. Which of the, you know, some of the one place in the, in the world where the, the slow down in tech investment hasnt happened. More companies are coming out of there, and often even that story is told is African Companies doing stuff for african people. But actually, increasingly because the same issue about young tech workers and where it says what the internet has done, this is opened up the well, so even the young tech workers are beginning to be the tech welfare for Massive Companies like google and microsoft are on the continent is, you know, if i were kind of look at that kind of a ingredients, if i wanted to kind of recreate what happened with, say, the asian tigers, the tire economies that, that grew so quickly and fast part of it is having a big population part of it is having Human Capital this there youve got 1200000000 people. As ive learned from your article, i should tell people you can read saying i was working Foreign Affairs recently how america can foster and african boom. But you document and here that here youve got a 1200000000 people, greater greater investment in Human Capital, a very young audience tomorrow is future global middle class, a big chunk of it will be in africa. And so i guess my question is what needs to happen by way of the social contract in some side is some of these african nations to fuel some of what you think it was just referring to the economic dynamism and you know, is there a space for someone like america to be part of it, and i guess might, it might part of does it matter if were part of it . Yes, a very, very crucial questions. I think im going to build on what you said about africa population and also i guess africa fundamentals, those fundamentals, whether its the demographics, whether its the economic structure of african countries, they present both opportunities and challenges. Unfortunately, the narrative today over emphasize on the challenges, right . So yes, this conflict us as violence in certain parts of the continent. But actually when you look at certain analyses that have been done by what its entities like statistics and all those the worlds most violent cities, the top 10 only one is in africa. Cape town, all of the other cities are in latin america in brazil, and mexico, etc, etc. Right . So its just that the challenges in africa are over emphasized. And the fundamentals to day present opportunities and what are those opportunities we, lets take demographics. For example. The continent has the walls Fastest Growing population, and its also the worlds youngest median age in africa today is around 19 compared to around 13, the middle east. And in south asia, in asia, compared to around 38 in the u. S. And in china, and also very important compared to, i think, 4445 in europe. So africa is a young pop continent and its growing. Its going to be the continent with the worlds future labor force. So already, you know, if you want to think future labor force and future buyers, future future buyers, future consumers. And weve seen already, entities from china, have made a lot of headway on this front because its seen that potential. So mobile phone Companies Like trying to see and became Global Market need us today because of their investments in africa. Whereas companies from other parts of the world in the early thousands felt that africa were to port afford mobile phones and their examples like that across the board. So the challenges today when you look at it and you invest there and you create opportunities for all these young people, become opportunities for companies in the future. Right . So i think its a matter of a mindset shift. And then to the last part of the question, is there a rule for the u. S. There is, of course, a huge role for the us to play. You look at the competitive advantage of the us, the way i would frame it anyways, in terms of private capital. This is the Worlds Largest markets economy. Africa countries need investments, right . Its actually a debt of investments, especially around infrastructure in the early, 2, thousands that made a lot of african countries to, to china. Because they will not get in the vestments from what, some bilateral lenders, or even from the world bank and other multilateral lenders. They tend to china, those investment needs still there. The content needs about a 150000000000. 00 every year for infrastructure investments. The continent again, needs that are on 50000000. 00 for climate adaptation. Right . To be able to invest in, you know, climate resistant, agriculture, crops, buildings, bridges, etc. Those are all things. So the u. S. Can help with digital technologies. You know, we have Silicon Valley if Companies Want to expand to new markets today and in the future, africa is the place. So there are so many examples like these that i can bring that theres so much that can be done. The u. S. Has a role to play, but the mindset has to shift to see africa, not just a continent of problems, but a continent where when you think innovatively of addressing those problems, you come up with solutions that work for africans. But that also work for the investor and the partner country. Right. Well, let me ask you, you know, their Companies Like qualcomm and microsoft and mastercard, that i happen to personally know are investing and building teams to approach the africa market. Much more earnestly and to invent is to kinda look at that going on. Im just interested. You know, were still, we havent talked many about this sort of Member States, but you know, youre going to be at some of 4 folks in fall. Youre african newsletter by the way, but youre going to be a symbol for writing about nations and summers and some of the economic dynamism. I just be interested just top of mind. You know, what are some of the stories that you think are worthy worthy of writing . And in specific countries, i think pay much about i have a big biased towards tech and innovation and it get in touch with something that didnt touch on the about the way because of a lack of is traditional legacy of a lack of infrastructure and barriers challenges you see some of the most Creative Solutions to problems on the continent. And what were finding more or more is the story the im the stories im looking at. All stories about African Companies solving problems at home, but then taking, taking those solutions to other parts of the world. Right. Go, go into left america. There are couple of companies that i know, but, you know, obviously we want to make excuses on this. As you know, steve, but there are couple of companies that are going to be launching in in brazil that have started out in can you nigeria . And were going to see that kind of thing happening more often. Were also going to see more the story has obviously been a lot about china coming into to africa to invest. But increasingly were going to have more stories about japan and turkey and all the source of others. Fairly wealthy countries that are not traditional western countries. All china, who all will also see the opportunity of both investing in being a supplier partner, but also the Market Opportunity as well on the standing that the, you know this, this, this 1200000000 people or even more can, can be incredibly promising market. So i think thats i think that were going to see a lot about them. Let me ask you a question and i dont know if i get this right, but im going to try. I think theres also a sense that African Leadership does want input from various places once investment. But i think part of the social contract, the expectation is that African Matters in africa. Leaders should also care about other things in the world that there are public goods problems around the world, whether its climate, whether its transnational crime, whether its, you know, any number of other issues right now. The invasion of ukraine by russia, and when president lensky was going to speak to 54 invited leaders from africa for leaders showed up. I guess my question to you is, should we have greater expectations as we look at what the United States is not getting right in this, which i want to get at. But are they in terms of African Leadership not stepping up to some of the big global challenges to show that theyre connected to things beyond app or is that a part of going up the ladder if you will, of both development and international respect . So absolutely. You know, african countries need to step up a bit more. I would say they would need to step up more internally and address certain governance challenges that are hobbling the large economies, the large countries of the continent. And you think about nigeria, the democratic republic, of course, when you mentioned governance, are you really st corruption . So its not just corruption. Corruption is one aspect of it, but we cannot reduce the entirety of the complexity of governance to just corruption. Its really around delivering public services, public goods increase in standards of living, increase and prosperity, stability address, and in new qualities. Given people of inclusion and fairness, all of those things they need to be address, especially in the large economies. And in a way that is in the 1st, thats why theyre not really punching above their weight in many respects. So, you know, absolutely, and that responsibility lies with african countries individually, but also collectively. And were starting to see progress on that front. They came together, the 55. 00 countries of the African Union to put for the vision of an integrated continent to the africa, continental free trade area, which is the worlds one of the Worlds Largest retreat areas. Theres an agenda 2063 to industrialize, and transform the continent. Havent said that though, and that. And that came into force last year, right . The african continental free trader, i think about a year ago. Right . Yes. So, but hadnt said that they know and identified the responsibilities of african countries, i think, a global level. Its also the fact that theres, theres a lack of representation, equitable representation and multilateral for us. Where in the case of the United Nations of the United Nations security council, the permanent membership, you have 5 countries. There, the snow african country. We have a country that is a member of the un security council. Im not going to mention it. It has a population of 60000000, but the african continent, whether its niger with 200000000 people, or if youre p o with close to 100000000 people or the d r. C, theres no representation of the african continent. A toll. Theres no representation, even of india, which has 1500000000 people. So our Global Governance institutions are also not very equitable in terms of our presentation. If we want african countries to step up, they need to be at the table when it comes to the g 20. There are 19 Member States of the g 20, as well as the european union. They are opinion and has 27 countries. And a population of 450000000 people. Why is the African Union with 55 countries and a population of post 1500000000 people . Not a member of the g 20. So if we want african countries to step about, i think they should step up on globe issues. They should be given a seat at the table of decision making. And it goes like that across the board. You know, the membership and the shell hold in on the votes him part of the world bank and the i m f. The location of special drawing right across the board. You find that african countries sometimes are completely excluded. So for one them to step up to the plate on decision making, they need to be given a seat at the table. Thats fascinating. Again, you know, you and i have talked about the African Leaders summit, which is going to take place in washington, d. C. In december of 2022 and in that summit im interested in the arctic. Ok. Analysis of, you know, to get to some of the points that ive just mentioned, which is to measure whether any successful structural shift occurred, you know, is it greater representation or at least american support for greater african representation in some of these International Institutions . What would you be saying this was either a failure or this was a success . You know, after that some it occurs . Well, i think of what wed be looking out for is, you know, how, how, how seriously did the u. S. The vitamin ministration. Take this event, just something that they felt they had to do was it just a saw the convenience event before . By just turns out, because to the point about biting, theyre actually going to the african continent only sending out secretary blank and all the kind of one of the mission that what, what people want to hear. Well, those leaders will want to hear is some serious commitment from the u. S. Government towards african countries to that points about what sort of investments are you actually going to make . You just are you just that, you know, doing the usual sort of tick in boxes and making sure youll see for photo opportunities. Cool. Actually we actually could get anything of substance in terms of key decisions. The key investments, you know, every, every, the, every, i dont know was every to every 3 years, the chinese at the, the conference with, with African Leaders. And it goes back and forth between beijing and an african city. And there are actual substances, issues of substances, social elements that come out of those, of those meetings every 2 or 3 years. This, this needs to happen with the biden and destruction always with the u. S. Government with any u. S. Government, it needs to be a regular, a normalized social events rather than a kind of happens this time. And then you do hear about the other for 5 years and, and then sometimes another administration comes in as a complete change of sort of attitude towards africa. That needs to be some consistently. And they need to be able to come out with actual sort of, you know, frankly, just call it what it is, put them for dollars. Nobody will know what they actually wants to do with african continent. But im interested in, as you look at china and turkey and even russia, which you have written about who are now significant players, china, the biggest investor in africa today. What are they getting right, that america is not doing and needs to Pay Attention to . To begin with, i would say that i, i think the u. S. Is starting to recalibrate its thinking on africa, which is a good thing. And in fact, in august the year, a new strategy towards sub Saharan Africa was published by the by an administration that and visions and new partnership between the United States and african countries. And that is a very good start, of course that there is the u. S. African liter summit, which is coming up in december this year, which is a follow on to the 1st summit that was done in 2014. Also during the time of barack obama. All of those are good, but there not enough more needs to be done. So what is that more that needs to be done . And if we take the example or take a cue from what china turkey and others are doing so well, i think the 1st thing is really the mindset shift that this is a continental opportunities you talk to, whether its chinese entrepreneurs or even some government officials, they would tell you to us, we see many parts of africa as what china is to be 20 years ago. Like we see the potential here. We see that theres a future middle class and they need services. They need schools and hospitals. They need mobile phone, all of those things and those create opportunity. So is a mindset shift that there are opportunities here as well as there are challenges. I would say that is really, really the main thing. Perhaps the 2nd thing is also that that africa is crucial to global issues. Not just in the, you know, africa as a silo, but africa, whatever happens that is going to affect and shape the rest of the world. You know, were already starting to see this, you mentioned the ukraine, right . You know, the votes in the u. N. We cannot just ignore africa. What, what happens in africa . Much as for the rest of the world, and the u. S. Can actually support some africa initiatives, some african causes whether its, you know, join in the un security council, the permanent membership or the g 20. There are things that the u. S. Can use its influence. Its Convenient Power influence, particularly with the european allies to push those courses for africa, political economy, zayna guzman and journalist got out of go. Okay, thank you so much for being with us today. So whats the bottom line from algeria t, as in bob way, folks in africa are busy building biotech hubs hosting Innovation Challenges and scaling their entrepreneurship across the continent. America is still there, but faintly, most of the fresh ink on the deals that will bring Major Economic development, or either chinese or russian or turkish. America still looks at the continent through archaic lenses, a poor war torn place, dependent on outsiders and in need of saving by the west, and more recently as a base for special forces and counter terrorism. Sure, there are real hot spots, but washington is generally losing out countries that have updated their worldview on africa, or making partnerships and planting the seeds for the future. And if washington doesnt do the same, its going to miss the proverbial african boat. And thats the bottom line ah, on changing the cost, ok, plus has agreed to Major Oil Production cut. The u. S. Is not happy. We explore the relevance of the i, m f as the outlook for the Global Economy dog. And we bought a house on african countries on making the ship, the green energy counting the cost on outages ita with ah