United States President Donald Trump has hosted leaders of five west African nations at the White House that includes the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal.
The mini summit is expected to focus on deepening economic partnerships, including private sector investment and possibly enhanced security cooperation.
The meeting is also seen as part of efforts to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region.
Trump told his five guests that while his administration was focused on peace in Africa, including a newly penned peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda , his administration was also focused on economic development that would benefit both the US and their African partners.
DRC, Rwanda sign US-brokered peace deal: