WASHINGTON — Nearly 50 African heads of state and government will gather this week for an unprecedented meeting in Washington that seeks to reframe the continent's image, from one defined by conflict and disease to one ripe with economic promise.
The US-Africa Leaders Summit — which will mark the first time an American president will convene Africa's leaders at one conference — faces major hurdles, including the ongoing distraction of conflicts elsewhere and domestic budget constraints.
Obama administration officials have deliberately played down their expectations, saying the event will not conclude with the sort of flashy financial commitments that Chinese leaders have announced at African summits in Beijing.
Instead, the meeting will focus largely on the economic potential that Africa offers the United States — provided that the two can solve ongoing problems of electricity supply, agriculture, security threats, and democratic governance. It could allow President Obama to establish a broader legacy in Africa.
''We want to do business with those folks,'' Obama said Friday at a news conference, noting that the United States is no longer providing aid only to countries on the continent to stave off malnutrition and the spread of HIV/AIDS. ''And we think that we can create US jobs and send US exports to Africa. But we've got to be engaged, and so this gives us a chance to do that.''
Senator Christopher Coons, a Delaware Democrat, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on African affairs, noted that the United States still has strong ties based on years of development assistance.
''I think history will show Africa is the continent of the greatest opportunity this century,'' he said. ''We have a moment that is passing us by, and we should build on these relationships.''
As the son of a Kenyan father, Obama faced high expectations from Africans and specialists in the region when he became president. His friends and foes say he disappointed many Africans in his first term when he focused largely on the struggling US economy and on passing a far-reaching health care law.
The summit ''is not a donor conference,'' said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, assistant secretary of state for African affairs. It is closer to a networking affair that will bring together foreign dignitaries, American and African chief executives, policymakers, and activists for several days of business deals and panel discussions, as well as private dinners and at least one dance.
There are about 100 side events, plus a three-day conference that includes one day devoted to business issues. Another day will cover more traditional development issues, including food security, health, women's empowerment, and wildlife trafficking.
Although the Ebola virus outbreak in Africa is not on the agenda, Gayle Smith, the National Security Council's development chief, said, ''We will obviously adapt as needed and in consultation with our partners.''
The presidents of Liberia and Sierra Leone — two of three nations experiencing the outbreak — have canceled their plans to attend the conference.
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, who will lead the business segment along with former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, is set to announce deals between the United States and Africa totaling $1 billion.
Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, a Democrat, who will cohost a reception at the US Capitol on Monday night and will hold a second networking event with more than 100 chief executives and senior US trade officials Wednesday, said his goal is ''to have some real deals that are cut'' before Wednesday is over.
Jennifer Cooke, who directs the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Africa program, said a big question facing the administration is to what extent the summit can deliver results. ''There will certainly be some leaders who walk away and say, 'What was that all about?' '' she said.