House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Bass Bill To Strengthen Support For U.S. – Africa Partnership

“Already, President Biden has signaled to the world his support for strengthening our partnership with the continent of Africa and the countries there,” said Congressmember Bass. “The Young African Leaders Initiative flourished under President Obama and Vice President Biden. It is important that we pass this bill to solidify our embrace of the future of the continent. I thank Chairman Meeks for sending this bill to the House Floor and urge my colleagues to support it.”

The Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021 codifies State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which is the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. Through this initiative, young African leaders are gaining the skills and connections they need to accelerate their own career trajectories and contribute more robustly to their respective countries, the continent, and world. Read the text of the bill here.