Strategy to improve investments and support entrepreneurship

(a) In general 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. (b) Contents The strategy required in subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An analysis of how investments in entrepreneurship relating to technology and innovation can improve regional security and combat growing regional terrorist networks and activities. (2) 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— (A) 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; (B) digital skills training; (C) cybersecurity training; and (D) intellectual property education. (3) 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. (4) 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— (A) founders of businesses related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence; (B) investors in advanced technology and artificial intelligence; (C) talent related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence; (D) research regarding advanced technology and artificial intelligence; and (E) testing related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence. (5) An identification of barriers to entrepreneurship in Africa related to advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including— (A) barriers to starting and growing a business; (B) costs of operating a business; (C) government policies; and (D) microeconomic conditions. (6) An identification of means to facilitate growth, including through— (A) training in entrepreneurship; (B) education of business models; (C) financial support; (D) networking opportunities; and (E) legislative changes. (7) 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. (8) 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.