U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Senegal's capital Dakar, on the first leg of a 10-day trip to Africa.
During the visit to seven African nations, the top U.S. diplomat will call for reforms to spur economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions.
The State Department says Clinton will meet Wednesday with Senegal's new president, Macky Sall, and highlight the country as an example of the resilience of democratic institutions.
Mr. Sall defeated former President Abdoulaye Wade in a March election after controversy over whether Mr. Wade was entitled to run for a third term.
Clinton will also visit the continent's youngest nation, South Sudan, as well as Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa. She will conclude the African tour with a stop in Ghana to attend the state funeral of its former President John Atta Mills, who died unexpectedly last week.
The secretary of state is also expected to highlight U.S. programs on development, education and the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Africa
She has made several previous trips to sub-Saharan Africa. Last year, she visited Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.