Donald Trump successfully won a second term as president after getting enough electoral votes in the 2024 U.S. election.
We looked at how a second term as president could have implications for Africa across trade and foreign policy.
Here’s how Trump’s policies could impact Africa:
Focus on Bilateral Trade Deals
Under Trump, there could be an emphasis on bilateral rather than multilateral trade agreements. For Africa, this might mean that Trump’s administration would prefer country-specific deals over regional ones, potentially affecting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The existing African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could see changes, with Trump’s focus on renegotiating trade arrangements to ensure they favor U.S. interests. This shift could lead to a more competitive environment for African exporters, with potential benefits for some countries but challenges for those that depend heavily on U.S. access without reciprocal tariffs.
Reduced Foreign Aid and Development Funding
Trump previously sought cuts to foreign aid budgets, including development funding directed toward Africa. A second Trump administration might take a similar stance, emphasizing a more transactional approach to foreign relations.
Reduced funding could affect various sectors, particularly health initiatives and educational programs that rely on U.S. aid. African countries may need to look for alternative funding sources or partnerships, which could shift dependency toward countries like China, whose influence in Africa has been growing.
Immigration and Visa Policies
Trump’s strict stance on immigration affected African nationals with tougher visa restrictions and limitations on certain visa categories.
Another Trump term could see a continuation or even a tightening of these policies, which would impact Africans seeking to work, study, or live in the United States.
This might also reduce the number of skilled professionals migrating to the U.S., influencing the dynamics of the African diaspora community and potentially limiting knowledge exchange.
Limited Focus on Climate Change Initiatives
In his previous term, Trump rolled back various climate commitments and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. If this approach continued, it could reduce U.S. support for climate resilience programs in Africa, a continent highly vulnerable to climate change impacts despite contributing little to global emissions.
African nations might face greater pressure to secure funding for climate adaptation from other international partners, potentially impacting the momentum of green initiatives and sustainable development projects across the continent.
Potential for New Partnerships
Trump’s emphasis on economic opportunity and sovereignty could appeal to some African nations, especially those seeking partnerships without conditions tied to governance or human rights.
For instance, the administration may support African leaders looking to prioritize infrastructure development or industrialization without external scrutiny of domestic policies.
However, this could deepen existing divides, with some nations welcoming these terms and others looking elsewhere for more comprehensive partnerships.
