Bill Gates, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft and one of the world’s richest men has cautioned the U.S. president Donald John Trump against damaging the country’s relations with Africa.
Speaking at the annual World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, Gates said the U.S. could lose Africa to China if Trump abandons Africa and soldiers on religiously with his “America First” position.
Sino-Africa relations continue to grow with increased Chinese investment across the continent. African leaders have also travelled to Beijing in furtherance of bilateral ties with the Asian giant.
“[In] the balance of hard power versus soft power, the US uniquely has a ratio emphasising hard power and I’d hate to see it go even further,” Gates said “You don’t want to give up your soft power tools,” he added.
Hard power is a military-minded and coercive approach to international relations whiles soft power is a persuasive approach to international relations usually involving use of economic and cultural approach.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues its investments across the continent especially in the area of supporting healthcare initiatives and the fight against malaria – treatment and the development of vaccines.
