BRIDGE Africa Act

This bill, titled the Building Resilient Innovation, Digital Growth, and Entrepreneurship with Africa Act or the BRIDGE Africa Act , mandates the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at increasing cooperation, investments, and entrepreneurship in advanced technology and artificial intelligence across Africa. This strategy, to be developed in conjunction with the Secretaries of Defense and Treasury and in consultation with the Commander of the United States Africa Command, must be submitted to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment. It seeks to identify new opportunities and partnerships in critical sectors such as finance, agriculture, health, energy, and education. The required strategy will include an analysis of how technology investments can improve regional security and combat terrorism, identify ways the U.S. can support African businesses through initiatives like joint research and digital skills training, and assess economic barriers to U.S. investment. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of State to convene a summit in Africa within one year, bringing together representatives from U.S. allies and partners to coordinate on the strategy's implementation. This summit will focus on integrating resources, identifying investment opportunities, and addressing challenges, with a subsequent report to Congress detailing its outcomes and recommendations for future engagement.