Promoting U.S. Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Addressing an under-studied aspect of U.S. foreign policy towards sub-Saharan Africa, Roshen Hendrickson provides a critical historical analysis of efforts to promote private investment in the region since World War II. The author investigates the role of institutions such as the United States Agency for International Development, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and bills such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act. She draws attention to the way strategic factors, domestic pressures and ideas about the role of U.S. investment in Africa influenced policymakers during the Cold War and post Cold War periods. Examples of government assistance to private investors highlight trends in bilateral policies and point to the necessity for the United States to contribute to global governance that will enable private investment to play a role in promoting sustainable economic growth in Africa.