Shifts in U.S. Policy Impact Infrastructure Development in Africa

The Trump administration's focus on trade rather than aid is reshaping U.S. involvement in African development projects. Infrastructure developments like the Abidjan overpass face uncertainty due to funding cuts, as American officials push for a new strategy centered on commercial diplomacy.

In Abidjan, commuters often joke about the impossibility of running multiple errands in a single day due to traffic congestion. A much-anticipated overpass intended to ease the flow of approximately 120,000 vehicles daily is currently under construction, with hopes that it will be completed promptly. However, as recent events unfold, it appears that the slogan “Financed by the American people” may no longer hold its validity.

With President Trump implementing significant cuts to U.S. foreign assistance, projects that rely on American funding are now shrouded in uncertainty. Construction workers are hastefully toiling to finish the overpass before the cessation of funding becomes a reality. This reflects a larger shift in how African leaders and investors are reacting to changes in U.S. policy in the region.

The focus of U.S. foreign policy is transitioning from providing aid to establishing trade relationships. Troy Fitrell, a top Africa official at the State Department, stated at a recent business summit in Abidjan that “Trade, not aid, is now the pillar of our policy in Africa.” His remarks coincided with the signing of multiple agreements between U.S. and Ivorian companies encompassing various sectors including agriculture and border security.

Trump's administration has diverged from the established patterns of U.S. engagement with Africa. The reductions in staffing at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), alongside imposed tariffs jeopardizing free trade agreements with numerous African nations, signal a move away from traditional support mechanisms.

Fitrell emphasized the need for commercial diplomacy, pointing to Africa's burgeoning population, which is set to account for a quarter of the global population by 2050. Despite this potential, current U.S. trade with sub-Saharan Africa remains minimal, comprising just 1 percent of the total U.S. goods trade, a situation the Trump administration intends to address with its new strategic approach.