On 5 November 2024, the United States of America held its highly anticipated presidential and Senate elections, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as the main candidates running for presidential office. Ultimately, with over 290 votes, Trump won the presidency while the Republicans also gained the majority in the Senate, officially ending the Democrat’s control of both branches. Notably, such major shifts in power have far-reaching consequences, not only for the American public but also for the global community, as the U.S. and its foreign policy remain highly influential worldwide. Particularly, Africa’s reliance on U.S. aid, trade partnerships, and military support continues to be strong as the continent grapples with complex security issues including the rise of terrorism within the Sahel region or the growing conflicts in East Africa and beyond. Therefore, the implications of Trump’s re-election for the U.S. foreign policy towards Africa are crucial, raising questions about the extent to which the US will advance peace and security in a manner that prioritizes long-term stability as well as short-term improvements throughout the continent. 

According to Etse Sikanku, a senior lecturer at Accra’s University of Media, Arts and Communication, “Africa should be concerned about the (…) return of Donald Trump to the presidency”. Problematically, despite initiating new trade-related projects such as “Prosper Africa” in 2019, which aims to increase US investments in Africa, Trump reduced the scope of humanitarian aid during his first presidency, signalling that he seeks to invest in Africa – as long as it has direct economic benefits for the U.S. Alex Vines, a regional expert from the think tank Chatham House, confirms this observation, contending that Trump’s foreign policy towards Africa used to be predominantly “transactional” and profit-oriented.

Thus, with Trump’s second term, and his even more nationalistic and protectionist stance, he will likely continue to give precedent to U.S. economic and geopolitical interests when engaging with the African continent. Concretely, it is expected that Trump will focus on extending (bilateral) economic relations with strategically relevant African nations, starting by potentially renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (A.G.O.A.) in 2025, which gives various Sub-Saharan African states duty-free access to the U.S market over the past two decades. Simultaneously, by focusing on trade agreements and economic initiatives, Trump will be likely to shift away from the Biden administration’s emphasis on aid and value promotion. While it is crucial to recognize that the extension of trade and economic investments can allow for more economic growth throughout the African continent, it must be noted that Trump’s overemphasis on the economic domain and under-emphasis on humanitarian aid flows fail to address pressing regional needs. Amid ongoing conflicts and political instability in Sudan; Mali or Somalia, the provision of basic services is substantially lacking, highlighting the need for more foreign and developmental aid. However, Trump’s administration seems to overlook the benefits that humanitarian aid with its investments in critical infrastructure such as health and education, knowingly necessary prerequisites for long-term development and stability, entails. However, especially within vulnerable communities, economic initiatives should complement humanitarian projects and not replace them. But despite the urgent necessity for an increase in humanitarian aid, Trump is unlikely to prioritize such demands, as they do not necessarily contribute to his version of ‘make America great again’.

Additionally, when examining Trump’s Project 2025 another concerning direction in his foreign policy approach toward Africa becomes evident. Specifically, Trump’s administration aims to counter China’s and Russia’s growing influence within Africa through various strategic measures. To weaken Africa’s largest trading partner at the time, notably China, the U.S. policies are likely to focus on securing vital supply chain hubs that are currently controlled by the rising power. On top of that, Trump’s administration further aims to challenge Russia’s military presence by employing the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) throughout the continent. Although Trump emphasizes that the U.S. aspiration for greater counter-terrorism efforts is the decisive factor behind the planned increase of security assistance, it is worrisome that the broader objective of competing with other global powers seems to take precedence. Turning Africa into an arena for geopolitical competition, would not only heighten political instability but would also risk treating the continent as a tool for strategic gains rather than recognizing it as an equal partner, which is why such a policy approach cannot be condoned. Unfortunately, Trump’s tendency to rather discredit than to empower the continent is not new – during his first presidency, Trump notoriously referred to several African nations as “shitholes”. Such derogatory remarks are not only dangerous but again raise significant concerns about Trump’s ability to contribute to Africa’s (long-term) stability and development during his second presidency. 

Thus, it becomes evident that the Trump administration needs to seriously revise its aspired foreign policy approach towards Africa, to advance rather than hinder stability and peace within the continent. For this, Trump urgently needs to move away from discriminatory language and instead adopt a rhetoric that fosters trust and equality. Thus, public statements from the administration should reflect an understanding of Africa’s value to the international arena and recognize its importance and value.

This also includes moving away from potentially turning Africa into an arena for geopolitical competition, where African countries are pressured to align with a certain global power, which would seriously undermine their autonomy and increase instability. Instead, the U.S. should focus on building trust and fostering partnerships that empower African countries through balanced diplomacy and inclusive policies, instead of implementing undesired policies that are a mere reflection of the U.S. power capabilities. To further foster a foreign policy approach that contributes to stability and de-escalation throughout Africa, the Trump administration could implement a ‘dual-investment’ approach in which the U.S. combines economic initiatives and humanitarian aid, instead of solely focusing on one realm. By allocating investments to both domains, the US would be successful in appealing to the complex needs of different African nations, ultimately not just strengthening its socioeconomic relations with the continent but also advancing peace and stability efforts. Surely, it remains crucial that the U.S. continues to consider its interests when engaging in such a ‘dual-investment approach’, however by balancing trade-related projects with the immediate needs of vulnerable communities, the U.S. is able to combine long-term stability with short-term improvements.