I recently sat down with Witney Schneidman to discuss his memoir, This Africa Idea: A Memoir of Discovery, Diplomacy and Opportunity, which chronicles his five-decade career. Witney shared how a 1971 gap year in Uganda, where he witnessed Idi Amin’s coup d'état, inspired him to become a bridge of understanding between the U.S. and Africa. This turning point eventually led him to senior policy roles, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State during the Clinton administration.
During our chat, Witney emphasized his advocacy for trade over aid, noting that commercial partnerships offer far more sustainable growth than donor models. He reflected on monitoring the Sullivan Principles in apartheid-era South Africa and helping pass the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Looking ahead, Witney continues to challenge one-dimensional narratives of Africa, urging people to see the continent as a dynamic hub of commercial and cultural agency.
Great conversation, great book! Thanks for listening.
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