Browsing: US-Africa relations under Trump

• Senator Cruz’s participation at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies is expected to firm up U.S.-Africa energy ties.
• Known for his push for energy independence and market-driven growth, Senator Cruz’s message is expected to center on expanding private-sector investment.
• Texas lawmaker also set to support U.S. energy companies operating in Africa, and bolster energy infrastructure that syncs with both African development goals and emerging U.S. strategic interests.

The push by the U.S. to secure significant control in critical energy resources in Africa is projected to intensify later this year as Ted Cruz, a ranking member of U.S. Senate Commerce and Foreign Relations Committees makes key address at the Invest in African Energies Summit.

According to organizers of the event, Ted Cruz is scheduled to highlight the role of Africa-U.S. commercial ties particularly on energy investments.

“Being a Senator from Texas, Senator Cruz not only understands what oil and …

• Existing programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are under review, with a shift toward enforcing stricter reciprocity.
• USAID, traditionally a key player in U.S. humanitarian and development efforts, is being dismantled and merged into the State Department.
• Stricter visa policies and a reduction in refugee resettlement quotas directly impact African nations.

With the new Trump administration taking shape, its foreign policy direction for Africa is becoming increasingly evident. Guided by the “America First” principle, this strategy prioritizes American interests through pragmatic diplomacy, targeted partnerships, and a focus on security and economic priorities.

Below is a detailed exploration of the policy directions and their implications for U.S.-Africa relations, updated to reflect the latest developments.

Pragmatic Diplomacy and Economic Engagement

The “America First” strategy emphasizes partnerships that yield mutual benefits for American investments and strategic interests. African nations with significant economic or geopolitical advantages are likely to attract …

• Will U.S. policies empower Africa’s sustainable development, or will they prioritize American interests at the expense of local communities and ecosystems in the next four years?
• Africa’s vast mineral wealth makes the continent a focal point for global economic and strategic competition.
• By encouraging African nations to process and refine their minerals domestically, the U.S. can help Africa can create jobs and enhance economic benefits.

Africa’s natural resources hold a key position in shaping the future of the global mining and energy industry. From critical minerals essential for modern technology to immense energy reserves, the continent is both an opportunity and a battleground for international players.

As Donald Trump assumes a second term as President of the United States in 2025, questions abound regarding his administration’s approach to Africa’s resource wealth. Will U.S. policies empower Africa’s sustainable development, or will they prioritize American interests at the expense of local communities …