The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Washington, D.C.-based think tank The Atlantic Council organized a five-hour online conference on Friday to discuss a new, private-sector-led initiative that aims to drive more U.S. investment towards Africa. The “Investing in Africa’s Future” seminar featured many of the U.S. government’s senior-level aid administrators and Africa policymakers. Several African leaders including President Macky Sall from Senegal also spoke.

While the bulk of the discussion focused on how the U.S. plans to enhance its Prosper Africa policy, a number of the speakers used the opportunity to showcase how Washington’s approach to its financial engagement on the continent differs from China’s.