For too long, Africa has been relegated to a supporting role in the grand opera of American foreign policy, rarely taking center stage. When the spotlight does occasionally flicker on the continent, it's often through a narrow lens – either as a battleground in the "Global War on Terror" or as a recipient of humanitarian aid. This limited perspective has hindered the establishment of truly sustainable connections, casting the United States in the unfavorable role of a purely extractive partner, more focused on mitigating perceived threats or alleviating immediate crises than fostering long-term prosperity.
The traditional pillars of US engagement in Africa – security and development – are showing significant cracks. On the development front, the United States, primarily through the dedicated efforts of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) since its inception in 1961, has undeniably provided crucial, life-saving assistance across the continent. Billions of dollars have been channeled into Africa, offering vital medical support, particularly in the fight against devastating diseases like HIV/AIDS. Yet, a chorus of experts has increasingly questioned the enduring impact of these well-intentioned projects.
The fundamental issue lies in the often cyclical and short-term nature of Western-funded development initiatives. Frequently managed by US-based implementing partners contracted by USAID or other donors, these projects operate on timelines too constricted to foster truly sustainable development. Furthermore, the metrics used to gauge their success are sometimes misaligned, failing to address the core problems in the most impactful locations. Consequently, the desired long-term job creation and infrastructure benefits, those that should outlast the lifespan of individual project grants, often fail to materialize.
On the security front, the United States has committed substantial diplomatic and military resources to counter the proliferation of armed groups, particularly in the volatile Sahel region of Central and West Africa. Over the past two decades, a staggering $3.3 billion has been poured into bolstering security in this critical area. However, despite this significant investment, the US-led counterterrorism efforts, often mirroring those of its French allies, have failed to stem the tide of militant expansion. The period between 2020 and 2023 alone witnessed eight coup attempts in the Sahel, while armed groups have not only persisted but have also begun to spread southward, posing a direct threat to the stability of countries along Africa’s Atlantic coast.
The geopolitical landscape, however, is undergoing a rapid and significant transformation. The United States, much like its long-standing French ally, has found itself increasingly unwelcome in many of the Sahelian nations with which it had cultivated close military partnerships. The 2023 coup in Niger, a key partner in American and French counterterrorism strategies, served as a stark example, with the new regime demanding an end to the American military presence on Nigerien soil.
Adding to this shift, the traditional approach of development and humanitarian assistance is facing a dramatic overhaul under the current US administration. Since assuming office in January 2025, President Trump’s team has implemented significant cuts to USAID’s funding, dismissed a substantial portion of its experienced workforce, and fundamentally altered the agency’s structure by placing it under the direct management of the State Department, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio now serving as its director. This move signals a clear departure from the long-standing model of independent development aid.
As the United States pivots away from these traditional pillars of engagement, a bold new strategy is urgently required: a decisive shift towards deep-rooted American infrastructure investment across the African continent. This isn't merely about constructing roads and bridges; it's about laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth, fostering genuine partnerships, and strategically positioning the United States in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Investing in improved African infrastructure offers a direct pathway to connecting the continent to global markets, creating vital arteries for trade and commerce. This, in turn, provides tangible avenues through which American companies can introduce their products and services to vast, untapped markets across the world’s fastest-growing continent, directly benefiting American economic interests and tangibly advancing the president’s stated goal of increasing American exports and rebalancing US trade. Imagine American engineering firms leading the charge in building modern transportation networks, American technology companies deploying cutting-edge communication infrastructure, and American energy companies investing in sustainable power solutions – all contributing to Africa's growth while simultaneously bolstering the US economy.
Centering US-Africa policy on infrastructure investment offers a powerful and constructive response to the intensifying great power competition with China that has increasingly defined Washington’s foreign policy agenda in recent years. Instead of focusing solely on military might and geopolitical maneuvering, prioritizing economic exchange and mutually beneficial development allows the US-China rivalry to evolve into a form of market-driven competition. This approach has the potential to generate positive-sum growth, fostering mutual benefits for both the United States and African nations, creating a more stable and prosperous global landscape for all. By focusing on building tangible assets that directly improve the lives of African citizens and connect them to the global economy, the United States can establish itself as a partner of progress, offering a compelling alternative to China's often-criticized debt-driven infrastructure initiatives.
In conclusion, the time for a paradigm shift in US-Africa policy is now. The old playbook of security assistance and traditional aid is proving increasingly ineffective and unsustainable. To forge lasting connections and effectively compete in the 21st century, the United States must embrace a new strategy centered on robust and long-term investment in African infrastructure. This approach not only addresses the continent's critical development needs but also creates tangible economic opportunities for American businesses and strategically positions the US as a partner in Africa's long-term prosperity – a far more sustainable and impactful approach than simply reacting to crises or offering short-term assistance. It's time to tune into a new beat, one that resonates with mutual benefit and lasting growth for both the United States and the dynamic continent of Africa.
