HR4610-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Building Resilient Innovation, Digital Growth, and Entrepreneurship with Africa Act or the BRIDGE Africa Act.

2. Sense of Congress regarding entrepreneurship and technological development in Africa It is the sense of Congress that— countries across Africa are experiencing rapid growth in entrepreneurship, research and development in technology and artificial intelligence, and investments in innovation that have the potential to reshape economies and transform Africa’s future by unlocking new levels of innovation and social development; the United States should play a role in supporting this phenomenon through both private and public investments and finding solutions for potential challenges to investment opportunities; investing in the African continent’s technological and entrepreneurial growth is beneficial for soft power diplomacy by building meaningful partnerships rooted in long-term mutual progress and shared values; deeper collaboration opens opportunities for additional cultural and educational exchanges, becoming a potentially powerful tool for building enduring relationships; investing in artificial intelligence that is responsive to Africa’s diversity of ethnicities, languages, and culture can create substantial breakthroughs for other diverse regions, including in South America and the Indo-Pacific; United States investments in African technology and AI can play a strategic role in counterterrorism efforts by supporting the development of tech ecosystems, which can enhance surveillance capabilities, improve data analysis, and strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure; and contributing to these areas of growth additionally strengthens trade and can increase United States exports in relevant industries such as telecommunications and cloud infrastructure.

3. Strategy to improve investments and support entrepreneurship Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Treasury, and in consultation with the Commander of the United States Africa Command, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to increase cooperation with allies and partners in Africa to identify and to support new opportunities, investments, entrepreneurship pathways, and partnerships with respect to the development of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including in the areas of finance, agriculture, health, energy, and education. The strategy required in subsection (a) shall include the following: An analysis of how investments in entrepreneurship relating to technology and innovation can improve regional security and combat growing regional terrorist networks and activities. An identification of ways the United States can support African businesses and entrepreneurs to launch and grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and design and manufacture new and critical technologies, including through— joint research between institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) and universities in covered countries; digital skills training; cybersecurity training; and intellectual property education. An assessment of economic barriers that limit or prohibit the ability of companies in the United States to invest in industries or programs in Africa that focus on technology and innovation. An identification of areas with respect to which United States persons and the United States Government can partner with covered countries to increase investment by citizens of or entities organized under the laws of an African country or partner or allied nation, in— founders of businesses related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence; investors in advanced technology and artificial intelligence; talent related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence; research regarding advanced technology and artificial intelligence; and testing related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence. An identification of barriers to entrepreneurship in Africa related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including— barriers to starting and growing a business; costs of operating a business; government policies; and microeconomic conditions. An identification of means to facilitate growth, including through— training in entrepreneurship; education of business models; financial support; networking opportunities; and legislative changes. An identification of Federal agencies and departments that would be suited to implement the strategy required by this section, including consideration of the Development Finance Corporation. An analysis of how investments by United States persons and the United States Government can support national security objectives to combat malign activities by state and nonstate actors in Africa.

4. Summit Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall convene a summit with representatives of countries that are allies and partners of the United States for the purpose of coordinating on the contents of the strategy required by section 3 (if such strategy has not been finalized) and implementation of such strategy, including— areas of interest in technology and innovation; integration of resources; investment opportunities; identification of opportunities for African countries to coordinate with the United States on the development and implementation of such strategy; and challenges regarding the implementation of such strategy. The summit required by this section shall take place in Africa, in a country determined by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Commander of the United States Africa Command, and representatives of such country. The Secretary of State may invite representatives from covered countries and countries that are partners and allies of the United States outside of Africa to participate in the summit required by this section, including the following: Heads of state. Representatives from defense, foreign relations, commerce, treasury, or related agencies. Subject matter experts. Entrepreneurs in the field of artificial intelligence or advanced technology. Representatives from government development boards, if applicable. Any other representative determined appropriate by the individuals listed in subsection (b). Not later than 180 days after the conclusion of the summit required by this section, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the following: An analysis of the outcome of the summit, including areas of success and areas in need of improvement. The appropriateness of reconvening the summit, including a proposed timeframe for reconvening and whether the summit should be regularly reoccurring. Findings identified by the summit regarding increasing investment in the technology industry in Africa. Any additional information, as the Secretary determines useful.

5. Definitions In this Act: The term advanced technology means any technology that supports the development of products, services, or processes that are innovative and not widely used. The term appropriate congressional committees means— the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. The term artificial intelligence has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 9401). The term covered country means the following: The Arab Republic of Egypt. The Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Kingdom of Morocco. The Republic of Ghana. The Republic of Kenya. The Republic of Rwanda. The Republic of Senegal. The Republic of Tunisia. Any other regional ally or partner of the United States that the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of the Treasury determines appropriate. The term critical technologies has the meaning given such term in section 721(a)(6)(A) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(a)(6)(A)). The term United States person has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8511).

6. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.