Nairobi US President Barack Obama said Saturday "Africa is on the move", as he praised the spirit of entrepreneurship at a business summit in Kenya during his first visit to the country of his father's birth since his election as president. "I wanted to be here, because Africa is
Nairobi
US President Barack Obama said Saturday "Africa is on the move", as he praised the spirit of entrepreneurship at a business summit in Kenya during his first visit to the country of his father's birth since his election as president.
"I wanted to be here, because Africa is on the move, Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world," Obama said.
"People are being lifted out of poverty, incomes are up, the middle class is growing and young people like you are harnessing technology to change the way Africa is doing business."
The US embassy itself warned the summit could be "a target for terrorists", but President Uhuru Kenyatta said the event showed a different side to Africa than that often portrayed in the media.
"The narrative of African despair is false, and indeed was never true," Kenyatta said.
"Let them know that Africa is open and ready for business," he added.
Obama arrived in Kenya late Friday, when Kenyatta greeted him as he stepped off Air Force One.
"It is wonderful to be back in Kenya," Obama said.
"I'm proud to be the first US president to visit Kenya, and obviously this is personal for me. My father came from these parts."
