Obama to visit SA

A focus of Obama's visit will be on expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions and investing in the next generation of African leaders. (Image: Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, via Wikimedia Commons)

In a statement, the White House said Obama would use his visits to reinforce the importance that the US places on growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Obama's visit will also focus on expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions and investing in the next generation of African leaders, said his office.

"The trip will underscore the President's commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between the United States and the people of sub-Saharan Africa to advance regional and global peace and prosperity," said the White House.

According to the statement, Obama, who will be accompanied by his wife Michelle, is looking forward to the visit, which will see them meeting with a wide array of leaders from government, business and civil society, including youth, to discuss the US's strategic partnerships on bilateral and global issues.

This is Obama's second visit to the region since taking office in 2009. He has been to Ghana, while his wife and children visited South Africa in 2011.