Biden at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum: 'Combat Clovid-ni- [Sic]' and '$350 Billion [Million]' (December 14, 2022)

President Joe Biden was reading a list of his administration’s health work in Africa when the word “COVID” got away from him. “We harnessed decades — decades of cooperation through PEPFAR and President’s Malaria Initiative, and other partnerships on global health security to help save lives and combat Clovid-ni- [sic] — COVID-19,” he said, according to the official White House transcript [1].

The “[sic]” is the White House’s own. The transcript fixed another line the same way. “Working with Congress to invest $350 billion [million] to facilitate more than almost half a billion dollars in financing to make sure more people across Africa can participate in the digital economy,” Biden said [1].

The video above shows Biden’s Dec. 14, 2022, remarks at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Quotes are from the official White House transcripts [1][2].

”Make It Short, Biden”

Biden opened with a joke at his own expense. “And I know you’re saying to yourselves, ‘Make it short, Biden. There’s a…’ — (laughter) — ’… There’s a semi-final game coming up,’” he said, referring to Morocco’s World Cup match [1].

Then he tried the name of the program hosting the deals. “That sounds like something we shouldn’t be saying. ‘Prop-’ — you know, ‘Prosper Africa deal room.’ I kept asking, ‘Where’s — where’s the deal room?’ I think I’m looking at it,” Biden said [1].

He asked the lawmakers in the room to identify themselves. “All the members of Congress, please stand up, if you’re here so I know — can identify who you are. (Applause.) There’s the man. All right. And I’m sure you’re out there somewhere,” Biden said [1].

He reminded the crowd of his long record on the continent. “I’ve visited almost all of your countries. When I was Vice President, serving with President Obama, we hosted the first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including U.S.-Africa Business Forum,” he said [1].

“We can’t solve any of these challenges without African leadership at the table — and I’m not trying to be nice; that’s a fact,” Biden said [1].

”Cisco Systems and Cy- — Cybastion”

The stumbles kept coming as Biden went through the announcements. “This compact will invest $500 million to build and maintain roads, put in place policies that reduce transportation costs, making it easier and faster for ships to ship goods from the Port of Cot- — excuse me, from the Port of Cotonou to neighboring locked — landlocked countries,” he said [1].

“In fact, the MCC just announced dec- — decis- — excuse me — just announced discussions for partnerships with four African countries, our first com- — four compacts,” Biden said [1].

Then came the deal room highlights. “Cisco Systems and Cy- — Cybastion, a diaspora-owned small business, is jointly announcing $800 million in new contracts to protect African countries from cyber threats,” he said [1].

He promised more spending abroad, too. “Just last month, I traveled to COP27 in Egypt where I announced $150 million in an effort to support adaptation efforts in Africa, a down payment on my commitment to provide $3 billion annually to global adaptation efforts for 2024,” Biden said [1].

“The United States is all in on Africa’s future,” he said [1]. He also announced that “Visa is committing and putting more than $1 billion into Africa over the next five years” [1].

”If I Can Find One”

That night, Biden toasted the visiting leaders at a White House dinner. “Good evening, everyone. My name is Joe Biden. I am Jill Biden’s husband. And welcome,” he said [2].

The toast needed a glass. “So please join me in raising your glass — if I can find one. (Laughs.) This is mine here?” Biden asked. “Yes, here,” a White House staffer answered, according to the transcript [2].

The dinner transcript also needed a fix. Biden spoke of “an African diaspora community in the United States, millions strong, pulling America [Africa] and the United States together in the tight embrace of family” [2].

By the Numbers

• $15 billion: new deals Biden said the forum spurred [1].
• 231 million: vaccine doses Biden said the U.S. delivered to 49 African countries [1].
• $500 million: the road compact with Benin and Niger [1].
• $600 billion: what Biden said the G7 intended to mobilize over five years [1].
• 300+: African and American companies at the forum, per Biden [1].

What Happened Next

Biden’s Africa trip came after the election. Biden did not visit sub-Saharan Africa as president until December 2024. His White House said the Angola trip was “the first visit ever by a sitting U.S. president to the Republic of Angola, and the first visit of a U.S. president to sub-Saharan Africa since 2015” [3].

Trump changed course. On July 9, 2025, President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal at the White House. “My administration is committed to strengthening our friendships in Africa through economic development efforts that benefit both the United States and our partners, and we’re shifting from a-i-d to trade,” Trump said [4].

“To that end, we have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, which was tremendous waste, fraud, and abuse,” Trump said. He also pointed to “a historic peace agreement” signed by the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda [4].

For a similar introduction at another event, see HYGO News’ page on the Mayflower event.

Sources

1. The White House (archived): Remarks by President Biden at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum (December 14, 2022)
2. The White House (archived): Remarks by President Biden and President Sall of the Republic of Senegal at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Dinner (December 14, 2022)
3. The American Presidency Project: Fact Sheet: President Biden’s Trip to Angola (December 2, 2024)
4. The American Presidency Project: Remarks Prior to a Working Lunch With African Leaders and an Exchange With Reporters (July 9, 2025)