Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host five African leaders in Washington, D.C. next week to explore commercial opportunities and trade partnerships, but notably, Nigeria did not make the list of invitees.
According to a White House official, the high-level summit will take place on July 9, with presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal scheduled to attend a discussion and lunch hosted by Trump.
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“President Trump believes African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said.
Reports by Africa Intelligence and Semafor suggest the summit will span from July 9 to July 11, with the primary focus on trade, investment, and private sector-led growth.
Nigeria’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
Despite being Africa’s largest economy and a key player on the continent, Nigeria’s exclusion from the U.S.-Africa commercial roundtable has raised concerns among analysts and political observers.
Some experts believe this reflects a shift in the Trump administration’s Africa strategy, which favors smaller, investment-ready nations over large but politically complex markets.
Shift from Aid to Investment
The Trump administration has significantly cut U.S. foreign aid to Africa, aligning with its “America First” policy. According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, America is moving away from what he described as a “charity-based foreign aid model”, instead promoting self-reliance and commercial engagement.
- “We will favor those nations that demonstrate both the ability and willingness to help themselves,” Rubio stated on Tuesday.
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Troy Fitrel, the U.S. senior official for African Affairs, previously said U.S. envoys in Africa will now be evaluated based on commercial deals secured in their host countries, marking a significant pivot from traditional aid diplomacy.
What This Means for Africa
The upcoming summit signals a clear message: African nations with strong governance, economic reforms, and investor-friendly policies are more likely to receive U.S. attention under Trump’s evolving foreign policy direction.
- The event may also spark new geopolitical alignments as African leaders look for more equitable trade partnerships and foreign investment models beyond traditional aid dependence.
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