US President Donald Trump will host the leaders of five West and Central African countries at the White House on Wednesday at the start of an unprecedented two-day summit. Trade, investment and security are expected to top the agenda as Washington pivots away from foreign development aid.
Issued on: 09/07/2025 -RFI
US Donald Trump has invited five African leaders to a working lunch in Washington on Wednesday to kick off an unprecedented two-day summit. © Evan Vucci / AP
The presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon – all Atlantic coast nations – are meeting at Trump’s invitation.
While the White House has disclosed few details, a senior US official said the aim is to foster “open dialogue” and to “listen to [Africa’s] concerns and priorities”, with the goal of promoting private sector investment and deeper economic partnerships.
Though lacking the mineral wealth of nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, the invited countries possess underexploited resources – such as Gabon’s manganese and uranium – that have drawn Washington’s interest.
In return, Trump may offer enhanced security cooperation, particularly in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a region of growing strategic importance to the United States.
Guinea-Bissau has become a key transit point for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to Europe. In April, it handed over four convicted smugglers to US authorities.
Guinea-Bissau's president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, called the visit “very important”, citing hopes for economic support.
The presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon – all Atlantic coast nations – are meeting at Trump’s invitation.
While the White House has disclosed few details, a senior US official said the aim is to foster “open dialogue” and to “listen to [Africa’s] concerns and priorities”, with the goal of promoting private sector investment and deeper economic partnerships.
Though lacking the mineral wealth of nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, the invited countries possess underexploited resources – such as Gabon’s manganese and uranium – that have drawn Washington’s interest.
In return, Trump may offer enhanced security cooperation, particularly in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a region of growing strategic importance to the United States.
Guinea-Bissau has become a key transit point for cocaine trafficked from Latin America to Europe. In April, it handed over four convicted smugglers to US authorities.
Guinea-Bissau's president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, called the visit “very important”, citing hopes for economic support.
Migration, trade
Migration and trade are also key issues. All five countries are coastal and part of active migration routes.
For Senegal, the stakes are high: over 20,000 Senegalese were intercepted at the US-Mexico border in the first half of 2024, a tenfold increase from two years earlier.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is also expected to raise the issue of his country’s debt crisis. Senegal’s public debt stands at 111.4 percent of GDP, and Dakar is pressing for the release of a $1.8 billion IMF loan, suspended over data irregularities under the previous administration.
Liberian President Joseph Boakai aims to position his country as a trade partner, not just an aid recipient, his press secretary said.
Gabonese officials also cited industrial development as a key interest.
Migration and trade are also key issues. All five countries are coastal and part of active migration routes.
For Senegal, the stakes are high: over 20,000 Senegalese were intercepted at the US-Mexico border in the first half of 2024, a tenfold increase from two years earlier.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is also expected to raise the issue of his country’s debt crisis. Senegal’s public debt stands at 111.4 percent of GDP, and Dakar is pressing for the release of a $1.8 billion IMF loan, suspended over data irregularities under the previous administration.
Liberian President Joseph Boakai aims to position his country as a trade partner, not just an aid recipient, his press secretary said.
Gabonese officials also cited industrial development as a key interest.
Beyond aid dependency
The meeting comes as the Trump administration pivots away from traditional foreign aid, following the closure of USAID, and as Washington looks to secure supply chains and counter Chinese and Russian influence in Africa.
Beijing has invested heavily across the continent, while Moscow has backed the new Alliance of Sahel States – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – which border some of the visiting countries.
No press appearances are scheduled for Wednesday’s meeting. Past White House meetings have proven problematic, including the one when Trump showed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a video promoting false claims of white genocide.
Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal are among 36 countries under review for possible inclusion in a US travel ban, according to a recent internal memo.
(with newswires)
Trade tensions rise as US targets South Africa
Issued on: 08/07/2025 -
14:26 min
EYE ON AFRICA © FRANCE 24
Issued on: 08/07/2025 -
14:26 min
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 30 percent tariff on South African goods, targeting 14 countries accused of unfair trade. Trump also threatened an additional 10 percent levy on nations working with the BRICS bloc. Ramaphosa calls it a misinterpretation of data. The tariffs could seriously harm South Africa's economy, as the US remains its largest trading partner.
Also in this edition:
In Nigeria and Malawi, where clinical trials have been conducted, the first drug specifically designed to treat malaria in babies and young children has just been approved. The approval could speed up its rollout across eight African countries.
Finally, France's parliament has voted to return a historic drum to Ivory Coast, after it was seized by French colonial forces over a century ago. The move follows President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 pledge to return stolen African artworks, but tens of thousands of objects remain in French museums.
By:
Yinka OYETADE
Aurelie KOUMAN
Charlotte HUGHES
Emily BOYLE
Also in this edition:
In Nigeria and Malawi, where clinical trials have been conducted, the first drug specifically designed to treat malaria in babies and young children has just been approved. The approval could speed up its rollout across eight African countries.
Finally, France's parliament has voted to return a historic drum to Ivory Coast, after it was seized by French colonial forces over a century ago. The move follows President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 pledge to return stolen African artworks, but tens of thousands of objects remain in French museums.
By:
Yinka OYETADE
Aurelie KOUMAN
Charlotte HUGHES
Emily BOYLE
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