Trump’s Return to Office: What it Means for Africa's Future

U.S. President Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump’s election victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris brings a sharp upside: his indifference toward Africa and its development. 

Unlike past administrations that poured resources into the continent, Trump’s focus is clear - America First, no costly foreign aid, and by extension no charity diplomacy.

For those weary of endless U.S. meddling abroad, this hands-off stance signals a shift: African nations will be left to forge their own paths, without American interference.

Who could forget his infamous 2018 remark about “shithole countries” in Africa? During his entire first term, Trump didn’t set foot on African soil, making his disdain unmistakably clear. His presidency signaled a blunt disregard for the continent, unapologetically dismissing its importance on the world stage and geopolitical affairs.

During his first term (2017–2021), Trump made around 19 international trips, visiting 24 countries across five continents. His itinerary included high-stakes visits to Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia; diplomacy-driven stops in China, Israel, and Russia; summits in Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland; and strategic meetings in allies' territories like Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. From the Vatican to Vietnam, Trump’s global reach covered a wide range of allies and adversaries alike, yet pointedly excluded Africa.

Countless words have been spilled by political pundits, development experts, Ivy League scholars, and election analysts speculating how a Trump presidency could spell trouble for Africa, a continent of 54 nations brimming with mineral riches. From gold and diamonds to platinum, chrome, copper, and uranium, Africa holds a treasure trove of resources. Yet many fear Trump’s indifference could hinder progress, potentially leaving Africa's wealth underutilised or open to influence from other global powers with differing priorities for the continent's development.

Africa is rich in oil, rubber, and countless other resources—treasures that were exploited for centuries by colonial powers, profiteers, racists, marauding rapists and murderers, and ruthless opportunists who used this wealth to build and sustain their own empires while the continent was left scarred.

Thought-leaders argue that Trump will double down on strongman politics, isolationism, and protectionism in his drive to "Make America Great Again", a stance that could leave African nations, hoping for development aid and favourable trade ties, out in the cold. By prioritising America First, Trump’s policies may sideline African countries eager for partnership with the global superpower.

Trump, securing 312 electoral votes (well above the needed 270) compared to Harris’s 226 in the November 5 election, clashed repeatedly with China in his first term, pledging to prioritise America’s interests above all else.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris

Currently, several African nations benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants eligible sub-Saharan countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the 5,000+ products qualifying for duty-free status under the Generalized System of Preferences, according to the U.S. Trade Representative's office.

In 2024, 32 out of Africa's 54 countries are eligible for AGOA benefits. In 2015, Congress passed legislation to modernise and extend the programme through 2025. For South Africa, the major sectors that are benefiting from the trade deal include the automotive sector and the back-breaking agricultural industry. South Africa exported $8.32bn worth of goods to the US in 2023.

That said, a significant number of African countries rely on foreign development aid, especially from the U.S., other Western nations, and Asia, to sustain their economies.

These African leaders, clinging to power through force, fear that Trump—and by extension, the U.S. government—will reduce its funding, threatening their lavish lifestyles amidst the widespread poverty and despair surrounding them.

Speaking to global news network RT at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum held in Russia on November 9-10, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, got straight to the point on aid.

“We have been partnering with a number of countries including [the] Russian Federation in order to promote trade and investment because our ambition is to be self-reliant and then to transition from aid to trade,” Nduhungirehe said.

“We believe that aid is a good thing but at some point you need to graduate from that aid and engage in trade and investment. This is what we are doing with the Russian Federation.”

The eloquent Rwandan minister continued: “We believe in multilateralism. We are, of course, a small country, we believe in multilateralism. But we don’t believe in a polarised world, in an international world which has a number of big powers dominating the world.

“This is why we receive favourably the creation of BRICS and the expansion of BRICS which will bring balance in this world, because we need, of course, the existing institutions that are there: the G20, the African Union is now a permanent member, but BRICS is also an important organisation and we hope that it will balance and help in promoting change in the international financial system.”

Following Trump’s sweeping victory, international relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola jumped into action, telling a media briefing last week Tuesday (November 12) that there was an urgent need for South Africa’s presence in the U.S.

South Africa appointed Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador to the U.S. last week. He returns to Washington DC having served in the position before.

SA's ambassador to U.S. Ebrahim Rasool

Lamola described the appointment of Rasool by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a decision “not taken lightly”, saying Pretoria felt the need to have someone in Washington quickly post the U.S. election. Trump is a supporter of Israel, whom South Africa has taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on charges of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Lamola said the department wanted Rasool's credentials to be processed quickly given “there is an urgent need for South Africa's presence in the U.S.”. On the same day, former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa posted on X (Twitter) that South Africa does not have to "suck up to the U.S."

I must say that it’s sad watching African leaders keeping their begging bowls outstretched to Washington D.C. indefinitely, all while doing little to lift the millions around them from extreme poverty, disease, conflict, and suffering.

Few are focused on fulfilling their duties, as their priority remains draining state resources and hiding stolen wealth in safe, tax-free havens overseas.

With Trump set to be back in the White House in January 2025 and his disdain for Africa out in the open for everyone to see, now is the time for African countries to seize the opportunity presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade, which is projected to increase by $35bn annually.

U.S. President Donald Trump

Now, more than ever, African leaders need to focus on strengthening their own economies, making Africa less reliant on the U.S., Europe, or Asia, and paving the way for a self-sustaining, prosperous continent.

After all, Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, has frequently emphasised the importance of self-reliance and self-determination for Africa's development. For the longest of times, Kagame has been advocating for African nations to take ownership of their growth and not depend on aid from developed countries.

But with our leaders preoccupied with looting and manipulating democratic systems to extend their discredited rule, they fail to prioritise the development of their countries, it's no surprise that Trump will continue to treat the continent with contempt.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less if Trump woke up tomorrow and decided to rename America "Trumpistan." African leaders shouldn’t worry about it either; their focus should be on making their own countries great, just as Trump has vowed to do for America.

I’m of the firm view that the more African leaders focus on uplifting their countries and worry less about how Trump’s return might impact their own grip on power, the better off their nations will be.

The United States is often accused of meddling in African affairs, with critics pointing to decades of involvement that range from economic aid policies to direct political interventions. Many argue that, under the guise of promoting democracy and development, the U.S. has influenced African politics, backed certain leaders or movements, and leveraged its power to serve American interests over local needs.

This perception of interference has led to a mixed legacy in Africa, with some viewing U.S. actions as helpful, while others see them as a form of neocolonialism that undermines Africa’s sovereignty and self-determination.

That is why I believe that Trump’s second term offers African leaders—whether democratic or authoritarian —a generous four-year breather to finally focus on their own nations, much like Trump will be busy doing. It’s a golden opportunity: with the U.S. gaze turned inward, they can pause the endless fretting over Washington’s opinions and meddling and, instead, tackle their own issues.

Republican's Donald Trump

African leaders must step up, address corruption, build strong economies, and invest in their people. Anything less is a betrayal of those they claim to serve. It’s time for genuine leadership, not a four-year break from responsibility.

As the G20 summit approaches in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2025, all eyes will be on Trump. Will he finally put aside his past disparaging remarks and show up in Africa for this global event?

His decision could mark a turning point, showing whether he’s willing to engage with a continent he’s largely ignored, or if he will double down on his previous stance. For African leaders, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate the continent’s significance on the world stage—whether Trump attends or not.

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance