U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host leaders from five African nations next week for a summit focused on expanding commercial ties, the White House announced on Wednesday.
Presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal will travel to Washington for a working meeting and lunch with Trump at the White House on July 9. The gathering will mark a shift in U.S. engagement with Africa, as the Trump administration emphasizes trade and investment over traditional aid.
“President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” a senior White House official said, underscoring the summit’s economic agenda.
The event, expected to run through July 11, was first reported by Africa Intelligence and Semafor. It reflects the administration’s evolving Africa policy, which has seen significant reductions in U.S. foreign aid to the continent in favor of deals aligned with Trump’s “America First” doctrine.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced this new approach, stating that the United States is “abandoning a charity-based foreign aid model” and will prioritize partnerships with nations that show both “the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
While some critics have raised concerns about the cuts in humanitarian and development assistance, the administration argues that fostering economic self-reliance and private sector growth in African countries offers a more sustainable path forward.
The upcoming summit will focus on identifying investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and technology, officials said, and is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.
Written By Rodney Mbua
