Washington: President Donald Trump is set to meet with five African leaders this week, marking a significant diplomatic engagement as the US administration shifts its focus from foreign aid to trade and investment opportunities on the continent.
According to Deutsche Welle, the meetings are framed within Trump’s “America First” agenda, which emphasizes mutual economic benefits through commercial partnerships rather than traditional aid packages.
A White House official recently stated that Trump sees “incredible commercial opportunities” in Africa that could benefit both American and African interests. However, Trump’s administration has notably reduced foreign aid to African countries, instead prioritizing trade and investment, particularly in West Africa’s critical minerals sector and regional security.
The five African countries, while currently minor players in trade volume with the US, possess significant untapped natural resources. Yet, international consultant Zakaria Ould Amar notes that Trump’s interests might lie more in controlling migration and drug routes. These countries are situated along key pathways that have historically led to the US-Mexico border and are integral to international drug trafficking corridors. Amar suggests that security issues will likely dominate Trump’s discussions with the African leaders.
American affairs expert Prof. William Ferreira from Guinea-Bissau expresses skepticism about the potential benefits for the African nations involved. He points out that the Trump administration has severely cut funding for aid projects in Africa, including Guinea-Bissau, casting doubt on the meeting’s potential for positive outcomes. Ferreira also highlights the challenges each country faces with rule of law and governance, noting that Trump’s focus appears to be more on demonstrating alliances than addressing internal issues.
For the African leaders, the meeting presents an opportunity to gain international legitimacy. Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, despite facing questions about his continued tenure beyond his official term, sees the meeting as a stage to present himself as a respected statesman. Similarly, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema, Liberia’s Joseph Boakai, Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye each face significant internal challenges but view the engagement as a means to elevate their international standing.
Despite the skepticism, Lesmes Monteiro, a presidential advisor in Guinea-Bissau, lauds the inclusion of President Embalo in the talks as a diplomatic success. Monteiro stresses the ideological alignment between Trump and Embalo, highlighting shared values of national sovereignty and traditionalism. He also emphasizes Guinea-Bissau’s geostrategic importance to the US and the potential for economic interest in the future.