US President Barack Obama speaks at the US-Africa leaders summit. The number of US programs and initiatives on the continent has grown exponentially. EPA

Obama’s visit to Kenya: why Africa matters to America

Preparations are underway for US President Barack Obama to once again visit Africa. In July, he will become the first American president to visit Kenya.

Ahead of Obama’s visit, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the local chapter of a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship. The pair will be co-hosting the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi.

Obama to be first sitting U.S. President to visit Ethiopia

Obama has visited Africa several times over recent years, highlighting his commitment to the continent. He visited Egypt in June 2009, Ghana in July 2009, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in June-July 2013 and South Africa again in December 2013 to attend former South African president Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

US Secretary of State John Kerry recently paved the way for Obama’s visit. This included visiting Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti and Somalia during a series of stops with several African partner nations. Kerry also attended the inauguration of Nigeria’s new president Muhammadu Buhari.

This trip is likely to be Obama’s last African tour as US president.READ MORE