(Ecofin Agency) - US President Barack Obama has announced on September 21 that $9.1 billion would be invested in Africa, promising to work to boost trade exchanges with the continent.

“The United States is determined to be that partner -- for the long term -- to accelerate the next era of African growth for all Africans,” he told many of his African counterparts during the US-Africa business forum held in New York on the sidelines of the UN general assembly.

“This is a U.S.-Africa business forum.  This is not charity,” he added indicating that US firms have invested $15 billion in Africa since the first edition of the forum in 2014.

US’s 44th president also said he was pleased with Africa’s economic and political situation, since his arrival at the White House, 8 years ago.

“As President, I’ve worked to transform our relationship with Africa so that we’re working together, as equal partners.  I’m proud to be the first American President to visit sub-Saharan Africa four times; the first to visit Ethiopia and speak before the African Union; the first to visit Kenya,” he said.

More like a farewell to his African pairs, Obama pledged to keep working to boost trade exchanges between Africa and the United States, even after his term ends.

“I think you should anticipate that I will be continuing to work with all of you in the years to come,” he said highligthing that only about 2% of US exports currently go to Africa.