Trump's Africa Policy: A Complex Mix of Self-Interest and Unintended Consequences

Donald Trump's handling of Africa has been marked by a series of unconventional approaches, including slashing life-saving aid, imposing crushing tariffs, and praising the president of Liberia for his beautiful English. Despite his contentious policies, however, a Pew Research Center poll found that Trump received two of the top three approval ratings from African countries, with 79% of Nigerians and 64% of Kenyans expressing confidence in his ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

Trump's leadership style has drawn parallels with the continent's "big men," who have often prioritized personal power over institutions. His blunt honesty is seen by some as more authentic than the pious language of international interlocutors. However, his willingness to dial up executive power has been met with skepticism, with some African leaders taking note of his hint at a third term.

In certain areas, Trump's Africa policy is worth taking seriously. His transactional diplomacy has yielded a tentative peace agreement in eastern DR Congo, and his emphasis on trade rather than aid has been echoed by African leaders, including former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump's approval ratings in Africa are unlike those anywhere else in the world, with 79% of Nigerians and 64% of Kenyans expressing confidence in his ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs.
• Trump's leadership style draws parallels with Africa's "big men," who have often prioritized personal power over institutions.
• Trump's transactional diplomacy has yielded a tentative peace agreement in eastern DR Congo, with Rwanda and DR Congo outlining the outlines of a minerals-for-security deal.
• Trump's emphasis on trade rather than aid has been echoed by African leaders, including former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo.
• The end of easy access to the American market after Trump's administration imposed punitive tariffs has stirred greater urgency in putting the African Continental Free Trade Area into proper effect.
• China has surpassed the US as the most popular country on the continent, according to a recent poll by Afrobarometer.
• King Mswati III of Eswatini has accepted multiple Rolls-Royces for himself, his mother, and multiple wives, setting a high bar for Trump on gift-taking.
• Paul Biya, president of Cameroon, is currently going for his eighth term, starting his presidency in 1982.

Statistics:

• 79% of Nigerians and 64% of Kenyans expressed confidence in Trump's ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs, according to a Pew Research Center poll.
• The US accounts for only about 5% of total African trade.
• 53 African countries have been offered tariff-free access to Chinese goods.
• China has surpassed the US as the most popular country on the continent, according to a recent poll by Afrobarometer.

Sources:

• Pew Research Center
• Afrobarometer
• David Pilling, "Donald Trump has not gone out of his way to endear himself to Africans. He has slashed life-saving aid, threatened crushing tariffs and banned many of them from travelling to the US."