Give Africa Unilateral Access to IMF’s Special Drawing Rights | Opinion

Give Africa Unilateral Access to IMF’s Special Drawing Rights | Opinion

The first meeting between President Joe Biden and African leaders, held virtually at the start of February during the 34th African Union Summit, took place at a time when geopolitical tectonic plates are rapidly shifting. Africa has become a subject of mounting interest, exemplified by the "vaccine diplomacy" occurring now on the world stage.The summit presented Biden the opportunity to re-engage with Africa as the region's growth and investment prospects brighten. It also allowed Washington to reaffirm its commitment to the rules-based international order.Africa will become the leading driver of global growth in the coming decades, sustained by the world's youngest workforce, as well as improved competitiveness and productivity in the context of expanding economies of scale under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.If Biden is to tilt the balance of power back in the U.S.' favor, he will need Africa on his side. Given his extensive experience with the region, and having championed the end of apartheid decades ago, he is well positioned to do so.During his first meeting with the Union, Biden emphasized the ongoing battle against COVID-19 as one of the most serious challenges facing the continent. Although the damage wrought in Africa by the