Department of Government Efficiency Cuts $51 Million from African Development Programs

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced the termination of $51 million in grants from the U.S. African Development Foundation, focusing on what it describes as unnecessary expenditures on niche projects amid growing economic pressure at home.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has recently revealed a significant reduction of $51 million in grants associated with the U.S. African Development Foundation. This decision comes as part of DOGE's mission to eliminate wasteful federal spending, particularly in light of ongoing inflationary pressures in the U.S. economy.

In a statement shared on X, DOGE highlighted various expenditures it deemed excessive, including:

- $229,296 allocated for marketing organic shea butter in Burkina Faso
- $246,217 spent on mango drying facilities in the Ivory Coast
- $239,738 designated to promote pineapple juice in Benin
- $99,566 for increasing yogurt production in Uganda
- $84,059 for a business incubator aimed at spa and wellness entrepreneurs in Nigeria
- $50,000 allocated to train farmers in Senegal to cultivate dragon fruit
- $48,406 used for a WhatsApp marketing chatbot in Kenya

DOGE contends that while the African Development Foundation argues such initiatives bolster economic growth, it believes taxpayer money should not fund niche industries overseas, especially when many Americans face their own economic struggles.

This decision reflects the broader strategies endorsed by DOGE, led by figures including Elon Musk during the Trump administration, aiming to eliminate an estimated $1 trillion in wasteful federal expenditures and ensure that government resources prioritize core national interests moving forward.