By Ollus Ndomu
US President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations next week as the White House looks to expand commercial ties with the continent under his “America First” strategy.
Presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal are scheduled to meet Trump in Washington from July 9 to 11, according to senior administration officials. The meetings will focus on boosting trade, investment and infrastructure development in ways the White House says will benefit both American companies and African economies.
This latest diplomatic push signals a shift from traditional US foreign assistance models to what Trump’s aides describe as “partnerships built on mutual economic growth.” The administration has repeatedly defended cuts to development aid for African countries, arguing that private sector deals and reciprocal trade create more sustainable benefits.
White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the gathering will aim to “identify and advance significant commercial opportunities that strengthen ties and create jobs in the US and across Africa.”
The talks come just weeks after the United States brokered a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Washington hailed as proof of its renewed diplomatic weight in Africa.
Trade experts note that the summit could also touch on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key trade arrangement that expires in 2025 and provides duty-free access for many African exports.
Presidents attending include Liberia’s Joseph Boakai, who recently secured a seat for his country on the UN Security Council, and Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is overseeing major energy sector reforms.
Analysts say the meeting could set the tone for Washington’s wider Africa policy during the final stretch of Trump’s term, especially as China and Russia continue to expand their economic and security footprint across the continent.
Further details on any potential deals or joint statements are expected during the three-day summit.
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