By Mark W. Howe
Maryland U.S.A.
The United States’ recent relationship with Africa has been largely transactional, centered on countering China and Russia’s growing influence. While strategic competition with these powers is a legitimate concern, such an approach risks reducing Africa to a mere arena for geopolitical rivalry rather than recognizing its intrinsic value and the aspirations of its people.
At the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, the U.S. emphasized partnership through investment, focusing on two-way trade to enhance global economic participation and sustainable development.
To strengthen ties, the U.S. must adopt a more comprehensive, mutually beneficial strategy beyond geopolitical competition. Here are three pathways to achieving this:
1. Economic Partnerships Beyond Aid The U.S. should prioritize economic partnerships with Africa, focusing on trade, investment, and infrastructure development instead of relying primarily on aid or military assistance. Programs like Prosper Africa—which advances trade deals, promotes market opportunities, and strengthens business climates—must be expanded to align with African priorities like green energy, digital transformation, and agribusiness. These initiatives create jobs and foster shared prosperity, positioning the U.S. as a partner in Africa’s growth rather than a rival to external powers. The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade relations, providing duty-free treatment to goods from 32 African countries since 2004 and facilitating deeper economic ties. As AGOA approaches its 2025 expiration, discussions on its renewal and revitalization are underway. Reviving initiatives like the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, as President Biden did in 2022, reinforces the U.S. commitment to fostering partnership through investment, paving the way for strengthened and inclusive U.S.-Africa relations beyond geopolitical competition.
2. Investing in Human Capital Africa’s youthful and growing population offers both challenges and opportunities for strengthening ties with the United States. By investing in education, skills development, and healthcare, the U.S. can enhance Africa’s long-term resilience while addressing youth unemployment. Expanding initiatives like the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and its flagship Mandela Washington Fellowship—which provides academic training, leadership development, and networking opportunities—can help nurture the next generation of African leaders to drive innovation and governance reforms. Supporting human capital development through investments in education, healthcare, and social services presents a win-win opportunity. These efforts not only address challenges such as illegal migration and brain drain but also promote mutual prosperity. By empowering African talent and fostering local opportunities, the U.S. can strengthen its partnership with Africa while contributing to the continent’s sustainable development and global integration.
3. Strengthening Governance and Local Agency The U.S. should prioritize empowering African nations to define and lead their governance and development agendas rather than imposing external solutions. Supporting democratic governance reforms, anti-corruption measures, and regional integration initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area can bolster Africa’s path toward self-reliance and sustainability.
Expanding the training of civil society organizations and promoting inclusive electoral processes—ensuring the participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities—can further strengthen democratic institutions. Additionally, the U.S. should continue advocating for gender equality, human rights, and the rule of law, holding governments accountable for violations in an impartial manner.
By aligning its efforts with African-led priorities and fostering inclusive governance, the U.S. can build a more equitable and sustainable partnership with the continent. What Should Africa and Africans Expect? Under a second Trump presidency, Africa and Africans could likely anticipate a continuation of selective engagement, prioritizing U.S. strategic interests. This approach would likely focus on counterterrorism operations, particularly through AFRICOM, and securing access to natural resources.
Economic initiatives might persist but would likely prioritize benefits for U.S. companies rather than significantly advancing local African economies. Such a strategy would maintain a transactional relationship, emphasizing security and economic ties aligned with American priorities over broader development or partnership goals. .
What Are We More Likely to See? Realistically, under a second Trump term, Africa is likely to see increased security cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, alongside targeted investments in resource-rich or strategically significant countries.
A preference for bilateral deals over multilateral development initiatives may lead to reduced engagement through international institutions, prioritizing immediate U.S. interests over Africa’s broader structural needs. While these measures may address short-term objectives, they risk overlooking Africa’s potential as a vibrant region of opportunity.
To redefine its relationship with Africa, the U.S. must transition from a transactional approach to one of genuine partnership, grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and a long-term vision. Such a shift would allow both sides to benefit, moving beyond the constraints of great power competition to foster sustainable and inclusive growth.
By: Mark W. Howe, B.Sc., MBA, PMP; Mark W. Howe is a U.S.-based Liberian and commentator on national, regional, and global issues. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the African Methodist University in Liberia. Mark is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute and has a proven track record of implementing impactful humanitarian, youth development, and apprenticeship training programs in both the United States and Liberia. Currently, Mark serves as the Grants Manager at the Maryland Department of Labor, where he oversees the development and administration of grants for the State’s Registered Apprenticeship and Youth Apprenticeship Programs, contributing to workforce development and economic empowerment.
