PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said he is open to visiting Africa before the end of his term, even as his administration moves to scale back US presence across the continent through embassy closures, foreign aid freezes, and trade barriers.
Responding to a question from reporters outside the White House on Tuesday, Trump said: ‘Sure. I would do that. I would do that, absolutely’, when asked whether he intended to make a trip to Africa. The remark came as he departed for a rally in Michigan marking his first 100 days in office.
But the president’s words came against a backdrop of sharp policy shifts that suggest a retreat from long-standing American engagement with Africa.
Embassies set to close
Reports indicate that the Trump administration plans to shutter several diplomatic missions, including US embassies in Eritrea, Gambia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, and the Central African Republic. Consulates in Cameroon and South Africa are also on the chopping block.
The closures are part of a broader restructuring of the US foreign service, with the administration citing cost savings and strategic reprioritisation. However, analysts warn that such moves risk diminishing Washington’s influence in a region where global competitors like China and Russia are expanding their reach.
AGOA trade deal in peril
The president’s recent tariff escalations have also cast doubt on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade pact that offers duty-free access to the US market for thousands of African goods. Experts say the new tariffs signal a de facto rollback of the deal, which has helped countries like Kenya, Lesotho and Ethiopia grow export industries in textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing.
‘The US is sending mixed messages—inviting African partners on one hand, and undermining trade deals on the other,’ said one trade official in Nairobi.
Aid freeze disrupts health and education
In January, the Trump administration imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance through USAID, disrupting programmes in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Initiatives such as HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria prevention, maternal care, and food security have been severely affected. In countries like Uganda and Malawi, clinics supported by American aid are reporting shortages of medicine and staff.
The abrupt halt has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups and lawmakers alike, who warn that vulnerable communities are being disproportionately impacted.
A symbolic visit or policy shift?
Trump’s suggestion of a future visit to Africa has sparked speculation about whether it would signify a genuine shift in policy—or serve mainly as a symbolic gesture.
Unlike former President Barack Obama, who visited Africa multiple times and launched initiatives like Power Africa and YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative), Trump has shown little engagement with the continent during his presidency. His administration has not released a comprehensive Africa strategy, nor appointed key envoys to the region.
Critics say that any trip without accompanying policy commitments would ring hollow.
‘A visit is welcome, but what Africa really needs is clarity, consistency, and commitment from Washington,’ said a regional analyst in Accra.
