I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4610 
To require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy and convene a 
summit regarding technological and business development in Africa, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 22, 2025 
Mr. PANETTA (for himself and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy 
and convene a summit regarding technological and busi-
ness development in Africa, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Building Resilient In-
novation, Digital Growth, and Entrepreneurship with Afri-
ca Act’’ or the ‘‘BRIDGE Africa Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ENTREPRENEUR-
SHIP AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 
IN AFRICA. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) countries across Africa are experiencing 
rapid growth in entrepreneurship, research and de-
velopment in technology and artificial intelligence, 
and investments in innovation that have the poten-
tial to reshape economies and transform Africa’s fu-
ture by unlocking new levels of innovation and social 
development; 
(2) the United States should play a role in sup-
porting this phenomenon through both private and 
public investments and finding solutions for poten-
tial challenges to investment opportunities; 
(3) investing in the African continent’s techno-
logical and entrepreneurial growth is beneficial for 
soft power diplomacy by building meaningful part-
nerships rooted in long-term mutual progress and 
shared values; 
(4) deeper collaboration opens opportunities for 
additional cultural and educational exchanges, be-
coming a potentially powerful tool for building en-
during relationships; 
(5) investing in artificial intelligence that is re-
sponsive to Africa’s diversity of ethnicities, lan-
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guages, and culture can create substantial break-
throughs for other diverse regions, including in 
South America and the Indo-Pacific; 
(6) United States investments in African tech-
nology and AI can play a strategic role in counter-
terrorism efforts by supporting the development of 
tech ecosystems, which can enhance surveillance ca-
pabilities, improve data analysis, and strengthen cy-
bersecurity infrastructure; and 
(7) contributing to these areas of growth addi-
tionally strengthens trade and can increase United 
States exports in relevant industries such as tele-
communications and cloud infrastructure. 
SEC. 3. STRATEGY TO IMPROVE INVESTMENTS AND SUP-
PORT 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 Sec-
retary of the Treasury, and in consultation with the Com-
mander of the United States Africa Command, shall sub-
mit 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 
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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 entrepre-
neurship relating to technology and innovation can 
improve regional security and combat growing re-
gional 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 tech-
nologies, 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 cov-
ered 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. 
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(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 orga-
nized under the laws of an African country or part-
ner or allied nation, in— 
(A) founders of businesses related to ad-
vanced 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 tech-
nology and artificial intelligence; and 
(E) testing related to advanced technology 
and artificial intelligence. 
(5) An identification of barriers to entrepre-
neurship 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. 
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(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 consider-
ation 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 Af-
rica. 
SEC. 4. SUMMIT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—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 final-
ized) and implementation of such strategy, including— 
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(1) areas of interest in technology and innova-
tion; 
(2) integration of resources; 
(3) investment opportunities; 
(4) identification of opportunities for African 
countries to coordinate with the United States on 
the development and implementation of such strat-
egy; and 
(5) challenges regarding the implementation of 
such strategy. 
(b) LOCATION.—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 Com-
mander of the United States Africa Command, and rep-
resentatives of such country. 
(c) PARTICIPANTS.—The Secretary of State may in-
vite 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 sec-
tion, including the following: 
(1) Heads of state. 
(2) Representatives from defense, foreign rela-
tions, commerce, treasury, or related agencies. 
(3) Subject matter experts. 
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(4) Entrepreneurs in the field of artificial intel-
ligence or advanced technology. 
(5) Representatives from government develop-
ment boards, if applicable. 
(6) Any other representative determined appro-
priate by the individuals listed in subsection (b). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the con-
clusion of the summit required by this section, the Sec-
retary of State shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report that includes the following: 
(1) An analysis of the outcome of the summit, 
including areas of success and areas in need of im-
provement. 
(2) The appropriateness of reconvening the 
summit, including a proposed timeframe for recon-
vening and whether the summit should be regularly 
reoccurring. 
(3) Findings identified by the summit regarding 
increasing investment in the technology industry in 
Africa. 
(4) Any additional information, as the Sec-
retary determines useful. 
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘ad-
vanced technology’’ means any technology that sup-
ports the development of products, services, or proc-
esses that are innovative and not widely used. 
(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation, and the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions of the Senate. 
(3) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.—The term ‘‘ar-
tificial 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). 
(4) COVERED
COUNTRY.—The term ‘‘covered 
country’’ means the following: 
(A) The Arab Republic of Egypt. 
(B) The Federal Republic of Nigeria. 
(C) The Kingdom of Morocco. 
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(D) The Republic of Ghana. 
(E) The Republic of Kenya. 
(F) The Republic of Rwanda. 
(G) The Republic of Senegal. 
(H) The Republic of Tunisia. 
(I) 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. 
(5) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES.—The term ‘‘crit-
ical 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)). 
(6) 
UNITED
STATES
PERSON.—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). 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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