As President-Elect Donald Trump steps into his second term, he will be confronted with a foreign policy agenda that is already packed with critical challenges. But amid pressing issues like the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran’s advancing nuclear program, and an increasingly aggressive China, there’s one area that likewise should not be neglected: U.S.-Africa relations. The second Trump term needs to focus on reversing the longstanding drift in U.S.-Africa relations. Neglecting Africa endangers American interests both at home and abroad.
Doing so won’t be easy. Historically, U.S. engagement with Africa has oscillated between neglect and superficial interaction. From the Barbary Wars of the early nineteenth century to more recent military interventions, U.S. actions have frequently prioritized narrow interests over genuine partnership, leaving many African nations caught in a cycle of instability and underdevelopment—and opening the door for their exploitation by other actors.
In recent administrations, including Trump’s first term, U.S. policy toward Africa has reflected this persistent tradition of disengagement. The first Trump administration saw America’s relations with the countries of the continent marked by a business-centric approach that prioritized commerce over strategy. Efforts like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Prosper Africa Initiative sought to boost economic ties. But these efforts were undermined by a glaring lack of diplomatic and democratic support. In turn, this minimalism painted a negative picture of U.S. commitment to the region.
For its part, the Biden administration has focused more on diplomatic outreach to........