Africa doesn't need US as benefactor

By all accounts, the United States - which generally prides itself on being a trendsetter - is essentially a "Johnny Come Lately" to the "Africa Rising" story. As if to make amends, US President Barack Obama held the largest ever gathering of African heads of state and business leaders in Washington DC from Aug 4 to 6. The effort goes to show the seriousness with which his administration sees the need for a "reset" in US-Africa relations.

The "reset" is long over due. Obama knows full well that it should have been among his first-term priorities, especially in view of the expectations that were created by his historic election victory in 2008. Back then most Africans thought he would put their continent first. That did not happen. Most Africans now think Obama's engagement with Africa has not lived up to what they thought would be possible under a US president born of a Kenyan father and an American mother.

This recent meeting in Washington DC, in many ways, presented Obama with the opportunity to redeem himself, mainly by showing concrete ways of how the US plans to engage with Africa.