(CNN) -- Washington's relentless focus on crisis tends to cloud its ability to see great opportunities. With more than 40 African heads of state coming to Washington this week for three days of meetings with President Barack Obama, Cabinet officials, members of Congress and American business leaders, the United States has a real opportunity to jump-start what has been a slow evolution in the way we have engaged with Africa. It's an opportunity that should not be missed. Foreign assistance is no longer America's primary export to Africa, and our engagement needs to change, too. The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit is an opportunity to showcase and strengthen a relationship that is evolving dramatically on economic, security and development fronts.
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More than 40 heads of state attend first Africa summit in the U.S. this week
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Sen. Chris Coons: This is opportunity for U.S. business to create ties to fast-growing Africa
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China surpassed the U.S. in trade with Africa, but America has distinct advantages, he says
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Coons: The U.S. has African diaspora that succeeded here, and it's well-regarded in Africa
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