Africa Should Not Expect Much From Donald Trump

Africa Should Not Expect Much From Donald Trump

“Africa Should Not Expect Much From Donald Trump,” written by Ambassador Johnnie Carson and published on AllAfrica, delivers a sobering analysis of U.S.-Africa relations under Donald Trump’s presidency.

The article argues that Trump’s policies, both in his first term and the early months of his second, have been detrimental to Africa’s interests and future engagement with the United States.

Carson begins by asserting that Trump’s “America First” doctrine, characterized by economic protectionism, restrictive immigration policies, and hostility toward international organizations, runs counter to African priorities.

These policies have strained relations with key African nations like Nigeria and South Africa, while simultaneously creating openings for countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, India, and Gulf Arab states to deepen their influence across the continent.

The Trump administration’s retreat from promoting democracy and human rights is also seen as emboldening authoritarian regimes in Africa, accelerating democratic backsliding and weakening fragile institutions.

The article revisits Trump’s first term, highlighting his lack of engagement with Africa, he never visited the continent, met with only two African presidents, and infamously used vulgar language to describe African nations. One of the earliest signs of his administration’s stance was the 2017 Muslim Travel Ban, which affected Libya, Sudan, and Somalia. Later revisions added Nigeria to the list, severely restricting immigration and visa access for Africa’s most populous country.

Carson details how Trump’s administration undermined key United Nations programs that support Africa. The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement reversed a $3 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund, a third of which was earmarked for Africa.

The administration also pulled support from the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council, all of which play vital roles in African development, health care, and peacekeeping.

While some major U.S.-Africa programs survived Trump’s first term, Carson warns that many are now under threat. These include PEPFAR (the AIDS relief initiative), Power Africa (an electrification program), Feed the Future (agricultural development), Prosper Africa (trade and investment), the African Development Foundation, and the Young African Leaders Initiative.

The Biden administration had reversed some of Trump’s earlier cuts, but his second term has seen a renewed push to dismantle these efforts. USAID has been shuttered, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation and U.S. Development Finance Corporation have scaled back operations, canceling infrastructure projects in countries like Senegal, Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania.

Looking ahead, Carson paints a grim picture. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provided duty-free access for African exports, expired in September 2025 and faces uncertain renewal. Trump’s tariff-heavy trade philosophy clashes with AGOA’s principles, and new duties have already been imposed on African goods. South Africa, the largest AGOA beneficiary, has faced political criticism from the White House, and cooperation on G20 matters has waned.

Diplomatic and consular services are also being scaled back. Visa services have been terminated in nine African countries, and embassy closures may follow due to budget cuts and staffing shortages.

The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs is at risk of being absorbed into the Middle East Bureau, and the Africa Desk at the National Security Council has already been merged with the Middle East and North Africa office.

Economically, the administration may cut funding to the African Development Bank and African Finance Corporation, redirecting resources to the World Bank and IMF. Militarily, there’s speculation that the U.S. may recognize Somaliland and re-integrate Africa Command into European Command, moves that could alienate the African Union.

Carson concludes that while Trump may make some superficial overtures, such as maintaining the Presidential Council on Doing Business in Africa or dispatching envoys to conflict zones, these efforts are likely to be transactional and short-sighted.

The administration’s strategy in the Great Lakes region, for example, appears focused more on securing access to critical minerals than fostering lasting peace.

Ultimately, Carson warns that Africa will receive little attention or goodwill from Trump’s Washington, and the continent must brace for a continued decline in U.S. engagement.