It has been reported that President Barack Obama on Tuesday held out the prospect of partnership with the United States to young African leaders who gathered at a White House forum.

During a town hall-style meeting attended by 115 young private and public sector leaders from more than 40 African nations, Obama told the young leaders "the United States wants to be your partner."

Obama said, "As you work to create jobs and opportunity, America will work with you, promoting the trade and investment on which growth depends."

According to Obama, one reason for holding the forum was to communicate directly with younger people "who may not assume that the old ways of doing business are the ways that Africa has to do business." He also said that another reasons, was so they would get to know each other and "reinforce each other as you are struggling and fighting in your own countries for a better future."

Obama, when asked his opinion on non-violence and good governance in the context of democratic principles, answered that conflict and violence scare off investors and create "a vicious cycle."

He said, "So I am a profound believer in not looking at violence as a solution to problems. And I think the moral and ethical power that comes with nonviolence when properly mobilized is profound."

It has also been reported that Obama encouraged the audience to promote transparency and open, civil debate within their organizations, and to include women on equal footing with men. He warned them against becoming like some well intentioned leaders who "end up becoming exactly what they fought against." (With Inputs from Agencies)