Leaders from fifty African states attended the three-day summit, which was hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

[3] According to an interview with The Economist, Obama welcomed foreign investment in the continent saying "the more the merrier" and advised African leaders to ensure that local workers benefit from the infrastructure projects and that the roads shouldn't "just lead from the mine, to the port, to Shanghai.

[5] The summit focused on trade and investment and underlined the United States' commitment to the continent's people, democracy and security.

It is punishable by death in four countries: Mauritania, Nigeria (states under Sharia law), Somalia and Sudan; and up to life imprisonment in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

[13] Other events included The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum which was discussed in order to pursue efforts to renew legislation.

Session 1 explored the U.S.-African partnerships and identified new ways to strengthen business ties and enable greater economic progress.

Session 3 explored public-private partnerships, technological innovations and financing tools that are transforming energy, transport and digital infrastructure in Africa.

The discussion entailed policies that enable economic growth, intelligent infrastructure and successful private and public partnerships for the present and all the future years ahead.

[18] In the evening, President Obama and the First Lady hosted a Dinner Reception at the White House for the African Leaders, government and select guests.

President Obama and African Leaders engaged in dialogue in three action-oriented sessions that addressed issues of shared common interest and mutual concern.

[24] He called the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit "an extraordinary event" [25] Other events of the final day were: (1) A Spousal Program accompanied by the tag line "Investing in Our Future at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit" hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama in partnership with former First Lady, Laura Bush and the Bush Institute.

This day-long spouses symposium which was held at the Kennedy Center focused on the impact of investments in education, health and public-private partnerships.

[28] Jill Biden delivered remarks earlier on [26][29] and also spoke about creating opportunities for young women leaders.

[38] At the time of the announcement of the summit in January 2014, the following three states were suspended from the African Union due to their political situation.

They have since been re-admitted following the restoration of democracy and rule of law: The list of invited leaders included the following long serving African strongmen:[56][57] Human Rights Watch and EG Justice called upon the US to denounce Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's human rights abuses in his country.

[58] The Economic Freedom Fighters, a South African opposition party, objected to the exclusion of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe; it also disagreed with Morocco's inclusion as it continues to "illegally" occupy Western Sahara.

And so for us, the bonds between our countries, our continents, are deeply personal.”[60] He announced $20 billion of investment in energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

[61] Through the Office of The Press Secretary, the White House released a number of Fact Sheets pertaining to the outcome of the United States–Africa Leaders Summit.

In addition, the Fact Sheet emphasized the President's Executive Order to create a Presidential Advisory Council on DBIA and new U.S. Government resources to support U.S. exports and investments in Africa.