As President-Elect Donald Trump steps into his second term, he will be confronted with a foreign policy agenda that is already packed with critical challenges. But amid pressing issues like the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran’s advancing nuclear program, and an increasingly aggressive China, there’s one area that likewise should not be neglected: U.S.-Africa relations. The second Trump term needs to focus on reversing the longstanding drift in U.S.-Africa relations. Neglecting Africa endangers American interests both at home and abroad.

Doing so won’t be easy. Historically, U.S. engagement with Africa has oscillated between neglect and superficial interaction. From the Barbary Wars of the early nineteenth century to more recent military interventions, U.S. actions have frequently prioritized narrow interests over genuine partnership, leaving many African nations caught in a cycle of instability and underdevelopment—and opening the door for their exploitation by other actors.

In recent administrations, including Trump’s first term, U.S. policy toward Africa has reflected this persistent tradition of disengagement. The first Trump administration saw America’s relations with the countries of the continent marked by a business-centric approach that prioritized commerce over strategy. Efforts like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Prosper Africa Initiative sought to boost economic ties. But these efforts were undermined by a glaring lack of diplomatic and democratic support. In turn, this minimalism painted a negative picture of U.S. commitment to the region.

For its part, the Biden administration has focused more on diplomatic outreach to the continent via initiatives like the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, rejoining the Paris Agreement, and support programs like AGOA and climate initiatives. However, these efforts have often been disjointed and superficial, leaving many African nations skeptical of larger U.S. intentions. Delays in climate finance and vaccine distribution have further fueled concerns about the sincerity of U.S. engagement.

This sporadic involvement falls far short of meaningfully countering the growing influence of China and Russia, both of whom have made major inroads into the continent in recent years. It also represents a grave error because Africa is assuming greater geopolitical significance than ever before.

The continent boasts some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this trend is poised to continue. Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing population, with over 60 percent of its citizens under the age of twenty-five, making it the youngest continent in the world. This demographic represents a transformative force that will shape global dynamics in the coming decades. The continent now faces the challenge of keeping up with this rapidly growing population in terms of infrastructure, healthcare, and access to education. These pressures require substantial investments, leaving African leaders shopping for partners—a list from which Washington, at least for the moment, is conspicuously absent.

In geopolitical terms, too, Africa is all-important. It has emerged as a formidable force shaping contemporary migration patterns, climate resilience, and security challenges. Africa’s roles as both a source and a transit point for migration will heavily influence regional stability in adjoining regions, from Europe to the Middle East. Furthermore, Africa’s vulnerability to climate change makes the continent’s progress inherently fragile, and greater investments are needed to foster resilience in highly agriculture-dependent regions in order to avert food insecurity, displacement, and conflict.

These challenges have propelled regional governments to seek assistance from external actors. For their part, China and Russia have recognized these trends and decided to put skin in the game—albeit in different ways.

China has emerged as Africa’s largest economic partner, with annual trade at $282 billion. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the PRC has helped to improve infrastructure across the continent dramatically. Furthermore, China’s financial aid often comes with fewer conditions than that of its Western counterparts, expanding its appeal and crowding out American businesses. This narrative resonates deeply with many African nations, fostering a sense of gratitude and partnership that contrasts sharply with the often-critical views of Western intervention.

In contrast, Russia has used Cold War-era tactics to increase its influence in Africa. Through the Wagner Group (now the Africa Corps), Moscow supports unstable regimes, securing defense agreements and access to resources like diamonds, gold, and uranium—assets that help fund its foreign ventures, including Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Russia also builds alliances with African nations, leveraging historical ties and military cooperation to gain support in multilateral institutions. By framing itself as a development partner and using media outlets like RT and Sputnik to push anti-colonial narratives, Moscow positions itself as an alternative to the West while systematically undermining Western influence.

However, within this bleak overall picture, there is still room for the United States to assume a competitive posture. The incoming Trump administration has a unique opportunity to cultivate a dynamic partnership with Africa that transcends conventional diplomacy, intensifies economic ties, balances security commitments, and revitalizes development efforts—all while championing democracy and human rights.

Such a partnership needs to start with an understanding that Africa is not simply a battlefield but an increasingly important actor in international relations. This requires moving beyond the tired narrative that Africa might matter “someday” to an understanding that African countries are, in fact, present-day partners whose needs and aspirations the United States should take into account. Doing so requires prioritizing the promotion of inclusive economic policies that empower local businesses and championing fair trade practices that enable African nations to compete on a global scale.

The stakes are high. A failure to act decisively might relegate the United States to the sidelines of great power competition, allowing others to shape Africa’s future and redefine global trade and development. The next president will need to grasp this reality and commit the country to far deeper strategic engagement.

About the Author: 

Lilly Harvey is a Research Fellow & Program Officer at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC, and editor of the Council’s Africa Policy Monitor e-bulletin.

Image: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.