Many observers are hoping that the second coming of Trump will improve the fortunes of some countries, and end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Others fear it will cause major disruptions. There is fear among some African observers that Trump will reduce US interest in the continent, as was the case during his first term.

During the first term of president Trump, the continent of Africa was sidelined from major policy discussions, with the administration focusing on trade competition with China, and engaging the Middle East and Europe. Initiatives such as the Prosper Africa Program, aimed at enhancing U.S.-Africa trade, were overshadowed by more pressing global crises. Unlike China, Africa does not present immediate strategic or economic threats to U.S. interests. However, Africa’s natural resources, emerging markets and pivotal role in global security, especially concerning counterterrorism, offer entry points for engagement (Azoska, 2025).

With Trump now in his second term, African countries need to evaluate what the implications of his policies will mean to their economic, diplomatic, and security interests. I analyze the impacts of his leadership and contend that Africa’s engagement with the United States needs proactivenes to changing American priorities.

Commercial Relations

The administration of President Trump might engage the continent of Africa primarily through a commercial lens, focusing on nations that offer tangible benefits to U.S. economic or security objectives. Trump’s America-first policy orientation means that interests and commitments to other countries and international affairs are secondary. Relations are based on their benefits to the US. Hence, US foreign policy interests and engagements would be tied to strategic security and economic demands.

This is a challenge for African countries with limited strategic importance to the US. For example, during Trump’s first term, (2017-2021), the US indicated interest in bilateral trade deals rather than the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). The act grants duty-free access to the US market for certain products from eligible African countries. This will negatively affect countries benefiting from Agoa. It might benefit those that manage to secure deals with his administration. But it could also lead to fragmentation in US-Africa trade partnerships, hurting smaller economies with less bargaining power.

The first term of President Trump was marked by a modest approach to Africa. The previous Trump administration's policies often regard Africa as a battleground for intense geopolitical struggle, in contrast to previous administrations that embraced forging long-lasting partnerships. For instance, the "Prosper Africa Program," which began in 2019 with the goal of embracing American investment and trade in Africa in order to compete with and offset China's growing influence in the region.

There is also apprehension that Trump’s transactional and contemptuous outlook towards Africa would jeopardize President Joe Biden’s recognition of African agency, and his doctrine of equal partnership with the continent. Trump’s approach could mean favourable engagements with strategic African partners, and little with Africa collectively. For example, unlike presidents Barack Obama and Biden, Trump didn’t organise a US-Africa Leaders Summit during his first term.

Unlike Biden, whose administration focused on strengthening multilateral partnerships with Africa (Hudson, 2024), Trump’s approach is expected to be more transactional. A second term may see further cuts, affecting sectors Biden sought to strengthen such as renewable energy, education and public health systems. This shift could lead to reduced funding for African-led initiatives, altering the trajectory of U.S.-Africa relations.

Following the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit 2022, President Biden directed an unprecedented pace of senior-level U.S. Government visits to the continent. Twenty Cabinet Members and leaders of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies have visited the region since the Summit, with visits centered on deepening partnerships with African countries, institutions, and people. In March and April 2023, Vice President Harris visited Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, where she announced more than $8 billion in public and private sector investment commitments towards climate and food security, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion across Africa. 

In December 2024, President Biden traveled to the continent, becoming the first-ever U.S. president to visit Angola and the first sitting President to visit sub-Saharan Africa since 2015. During the visit, President Biden spoke about the past horrors of slavery and its legacy, while welcoming a bright future of deepening collaboration between the United States and the continent. He announced more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian funding and co-hosted a Summit on the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, underscoring the importance of private sector investments, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development. One year earlier, President Biden had hosted President Lourenço of Angola for an Oval Office meeting. President Biden’s historic trip to Angola topped off significant engagement with the continent throughout the entire Biden-Harris administration (White House, 2023).

In contrast, Trump’s foreign policy might be characterised by transactional diplomacy, prioritising bilateral agreements where tangible benefits for the U.S. are clear. Biden’s administration aimed to bolster Africa’s economic and democratic institutions, while Trump’s approach night focus on immediate returns such as resource extraction and counterterrorism support.

The Issue of Climate Change

Biden’s emphasis on climate change further differentiates his tenure from Trump’s, who withdrew from the Paris Agreement during his first term and downplayed environmental policies. For Sub-Saharan Africa, Biden’s climate agenda presented opportunities in green financing and renewable energy partnerships, initiatives unlikely to feature prominently in a second Trump term.

However, Trump's previous disregard for African governance system and development issues like promoting democracy, human rights, and climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, suggests that these areas could remain sidelined in his second term. He believes climate change is a Hoak. His return means uncertainty for global climate action, to the detriment of vulnerable African and other developing countries.

 His focus on fossil fuel expansion could roll back environmental policy. It might also limit US engagement with global climate related projects and initiatives, and lead to reduced funding for African climate adaptation projects and the investment in sector like clean energy. Given the continent’s high dependency on agriculture, such policy stances could worsen climate vulnerabilities in Africa.

 What are the Measures Africa should put in place?

For African nations, a second Trump presidency underscores the necessity of strategic planning and proactive engagement; rather than passively responding to external policies, African leaders should establish clear priorities, enhance regional cooperation, and use platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to further their own development agendas.

As for the United States, a more strategic approach would involve recognising Africa as a partner rather than a theatre of geopolitical competition, and forming partnerships based on mutual respect, equal benefits and long-term investment rather than short-term gains.

Whether through increased competitiveness with international rivals, security collaboration, or strengthened commercial links, the character of U.S.-African relations under a Trump presidency will ultimately depend on both sides' capacity to negotiate a challenging and changing global environment that would be beneficial for both parties.

Despite the skepticism and fear it raises, the second coming of Trump might offer opportunities for self-development as Africa may be forced to depend less on US aid. Instead, it could look to harness its vast human and material resources for its own development that will be beneficial to the continent for a long time.

As the US priorities shift under Trump, African leaders will face decisions on how to navigate partnerships to secure investment, maintain political stability, and address the continent’s long-term development needs through inward-looking strategies (Azoska, 2025).

Rather than responding passively to shifting U.S. policies, African nations should take proactive steps to enhance regional integration, broaden economic diversification, and seek new partnerships outside of traditional Western funding. Africa can redefine its place in the world with respect to changing American policies, and whether it’s through the AfCFTA, South-South cooperation, or fostering local industry, Africa has an opportunity.

In an increasingly multipolar world characterised by multiple powers challenging US hegemony, African countries have an opportunity to pursue diversified alliances. They must balance between US, EU, Chinese, Russian and other international influences in ways that will benefit Africans.