HR 4610
BRIDGE Africa Act
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Bill overview
The BRIDGE Africa Act directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy and convene a summit focused on boosting technological and business development in Africa. The goal is to foster partnerships between the United States and African nations, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. The strategy will analyze investment barriers, identify opportunities for collaboration, and address security concerns related to technology development.
Key provisions
- Requires the Secretary of State to create a strategy for increasing U.S. investment and support for African technology and entrepreneurship.
- Mandates a summit with U.S. allies and partners in Africa to coordinate on the strategy's implementation.
- Identifies specific areas for investment, including finance, agriculture, health, energy, and education.
- Encourages joint research between U.S. and African institutions in technology and AI.
- Addresses barriers to entrepreneurship in Africa, such as government policies and microeconomic conditions.
- Calls for training in digital skills, cybersecurity, and intellectual property.
- Requires an analysis of how investments can support national security objectives.
- Defines ‘covered countries’ as Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia, with the potential for expansion.
Who is affected
- United States Government
- African Countries (specifically listed)
- U.S. Businesses
Sponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4610
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy and convene a summit regarding technological and business development in Africa, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Building Resilient Innovation, Digital Growth, and Entrepreneurship with Africa Act BRIDGE Africa Act
or the
.
It is the sense of Congress that—
countries across Africa are experiencing rapid growth in entrepreneurship, research and development in technology and artificial intelligence, and investments in innovation that have the potential to reshape economies and transform Africa’s future by unlocking new levels of innovation and social development;
the United States should play a role in supporting this phenomenon through both private and public investments and finding solutions for potential challenges to investment opportunities;
investing in the African continent’s technological and entrepreneurial growth is beneficial for soft power diplomacy by building meaningful partnerships rooted in long-term mutual progress and shared values;
deeper collaboration opens opportunities for additional cultural and educational exchanges, becoming a potentially powerful tool for building enduring relationships;
investing in artificial intelligence that is responsive to Africa’s diversity of ethnicities, languages, and culture can create substantial breakthroughs for other diverse regions, including in South America and the Indo-Pacific;
United States investments in African technology and AI can play a strategic role in counterterrorism efforts by supporting the development of tech ecosystems, which can enhance surveillance capabilities, improve data analysis, and strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure; and
contributing to these areas of growth additionally strengthens trade and can increase United States exports in relevant industries such as telecommunications and cloud infrastructure.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Treasury, and in consultation with the Commander of the United States Africa Command, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to increase cooperation with allies and partners in Africa to identify and to support new opportunities, investments, entrepreneurship pathways, and partnerships with respect to the development of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including in the areas of finance, agriculture, health, energy, and education.
The strategy required in subsection (a) shall include the following:
An analysis of how investments in entrepreneurship relating to technology and innovation can improve regional security and combat growing regional terrorist networks and activities.
An identification of ways the United States can support African businesses and entrepreneurs to launch and grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and design and manufacture new and critical technologies, including through—
digital skills training;
cybersecurity training; and
intellectual property education.
An assessment of economic barriers that limit or prohibit the ability of companies in the United States to invest in industries or programs in Africa that focus on technology and innovation.
founders of businesses related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence;
barriers to starting and growing a business;
costs of operating a business;
government policies; and
microeconomic conditions.
An identification of means to facilitate growth, including through—
training in entrepreneurship;
education of business models;
financial support;
networking opportunities; and
legislative changes.
An identification of Federal agencies and departments that would be suited to implement the strategy required by this section, including consideration of the Development Finance Corporation.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall convene a summit with representatives of countries that are allies and partners of the United States for the purpose of coordinating on the contents of the strategy required by section 3 (if such strategy has not been finalized) and implementation of such strategy, including—
areas of interest in technology and innovation;
integration of resources;
investment opportunities;
challenges regarding the implementation of such strategy.
The Secretary of State may invite representatives from covered countries and countries that are partners and allies of the United States outside of Africa to participate in the summit required by this section, including the following:
Heads of state.
Representatives from defense, foreign relations, commerce, treasury, or related agencies.
Subject matter experts.
Entrepreneurs in the field of artificial intelligence or advanced technology.
Representatives from government development boards, if applicable.
Any other representative determined appropriate by the individuals listed in subsection (b).
Not later than 180 days after the conclusion of the summit required by this section, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following:
An analysis of the outcome of the summit, including areas of success and areas in need of improvement.
The appropriateness of reconvening the summit, including a proposed timeframe for reconvening and whether the summit should be regularly reoccurring.
Any additional information, as the Secretary determines useful.
In this Act:
The term appropriate congressional committees means—
The term covered country means the following:
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.