In Abidjan, Ivory Coast's busy urban landscape, the completion of a crucial overpass is at risk as U.S. foreign aid faces severe cuts under President Trump. For years, this ambitious infrastructure initiative was proudly promoted through billboards declaring it "Financed by the American people." However, the future of such commitments has become less certain with diminishing support from U.S. foreign assistance programs.
The urgency to finish the overpass before August has construction workers scrambling to meet deadlines, reflecting adapting strategies among African leaders and investors in response to a drastically shifting U.S. approach to the continent. U.S. officials have made it clear: the era of prioritizing financing in favor of infrastructure development is fading in favor of a new guiding principle—“Trade, not aid.”
During a recent business summit in Abidjan, Troy Fitrell, a senior State Department official for Africa, emphasized the pivot towards commercial diplomacy, noting the potential growth as Africa's population is expected to represent a quarter of the world's total by 2050. Yet, nations south of the Sahara contribute merely 1% of U.S. goods trade, illustrating a significant gap that the current administration aims to close.
In abandoning long-standing practices, the Trump administration has reduced the influence and funding of the U.S. Agency for International Development, imposed tariffs that threaten free trade agreements, and loosened anti-corruption measures for American businesses abroad. The recent shift in strategy is already bearing fruit as U.S. and Ivorian firms inked multiple deals concerning agricultural drones and border security technologies, marking a notable move toward a trade-centric African policy.
As African nations navigate this transforming landscape, the interconnectedness of infrastructure and trade could present a unique opportunity and challenge for both the U.S. and African nations moving ahead.
