WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump is set to welcome five African heads of state to the White House next week for talks focused on business, trade, and what his administration is calling “commercial opportunities.”
Leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal are expected to meet Trump on July 9 for a working lunch and formal discussion, a senior White House official confirmed on Wednesday.
“President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said in a statement.
The meeting marks a notable shift in how the United States, under Trump’s renewed leadership, is engaging with African nations less aid, more deals.
According to reports by Africa Intelligence and Semafor, the summit will run from July 9 to July 11, with a focus on sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, and agriculture.
While details remain limited, the event is expected to include business forums, bilateral talks, and potential signing of new trade agreements.
From Charity to Commerce
This fresh approach is part of Trump’s broader plan to pull back from traditional foreign aid. Since returning to office, the administration has slashed funding to several African programmes, insisting that aid without accountability is no longer sustainable.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment:
“The United States is moving away from a charity-based model of foreign aid,” he said. “We will prioritise countries that show both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
Critics, however, argue that cutting aid to the continent especially in areas such as healthcare and education could destabilise fragile systems.
“Aid and trade are not mutually exclusive,” said Dr. Amina Mbaye, a Senegalese economist and policy analyst. “We welcome commercial cooperation, but investment must be matched with social responsibility.”
Strategic Choices
The five invited nations each hold strategic value. Senegal, for instance, has become a key player in West Africa’s energy sector, while Mauritania and Gabon are seen as emerging hubs for resource extraction and logistics.
Liberia and Guinea-Bissau, still rebuilding after years of political instability, are said to be seeking infrastructure partnerships and better access to global markets.
By engaging this group, experts suggest Trump is targeting a bloc that’s relatively aligned with his pro-business agenda.
Still, questions remain about whether this summit is a symbolic gesture or the start of deeper, long-term engagement.
“This could be the beginning of something promising,” said Ambassador Johnnie Carson, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. “But one lunch won’t change decades of uneven relations. What follows will matter more.”
The summit comes amid growing global competition for Africa’s markets and resources. China, Russia, and the European Union have all expanded their presence across the continent.
For Trump, this week’s meeting could be a chance to reset America’s pitch.
“We’re not here to tell you what to do,” the White House official added. “We’re here to do business.”
