US Envoys in Africa to be Rated on Commercial Deals, Not Aid Spent

A new policy aimed at driving mutual prosperity in Africa will rate US envoys based on the commercial deals they strike, rather than the aid they disburse. The policy, unveiled by the State Department, seeks to eliminate trade deficits and promote trade between equals. This shift in focus comes as the US seeks to counter Chinese and Russian influence on the continent, particularly in the mining and trade sectors. According to the State Department, US ambassadors in Africa have already facilitated 33 agreements worth $6 billion in President Trump's first 100 days.

Key Takeaways:

• The US State Department will rate envoys in Africa based on commercial deals struck, not aid spent, as part of a new strategy for US support on the continent.
• The policy aims to eliminate trade deficits and promote trade between equals, as stated by African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrell.
• In the first 100 days of President Trump's administration, US ambassadors in Africa shepherded 33 agreements worth $6 billion.
• The US goods exports to sub-Saharan Africa amount to less than 1% of total US trade, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
• Despite Trump's aggressive spending cuts, the US has pledged a $550 million loan for the Lobito rail corridor, a project aimed at bypassing China-controlled routes.
• The US is keen to counter both Chinese and Russian influence on the continent, particularly over minerals and trade.
• The US has set six targets to be met before the next US-Africa Leaders Summit, including making commercial diplomacy a core mission and pushing priority countries to enact business-friendly reforms.
• The US wants to embark on more business-only diplomatic trips, match export-ready US firms with African ventures, and overhaul financing tools to offer faster and more risk-tolerant blended funding.
• The new policy has been criticized by global aid groups, which say the slashing of aid funds to Africa is costing lives of the most needy.

Statistics:

• US goods exports to sub-Saharan Africa amount to less than 1% of total US trade (Center for Strategic and International Studies).
• $6 billion worth of agreements facilitated by US ambassadors in Africa in President Trump's first 100 days (State Department).
• $550 million pledged by the US for the Lobito rail corridor project (State Department).
• $652m loan agreement signed with Nigeria through the Exim bank for the Lekki port and Dangote refinery (Reuters).
• Six targets set by the US to be met before the next US-Africa Leaders Summit (State Department).

Sources:

• Reuters, "US envoys in Africa will be rated on commercial deals struck, not aid spent"
• State Department, "Remarks by African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrell"
• Center for Strategic and International Studies, "US Trade with Sub-Saharan Africa"