US President Donald Trump is set to host the presidents of five African nations—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—at the White House on July 9 for trade talks centered around mutual commercial opportunities. The one-day meeting is aimed at exploring business engagements that could benefit both American companies and the selected African nations. According to a White House official, Trump views Africa as a region with “incredible commercial opportunities” aligned with his administration’s economic priorities.
However, Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy and most populous nation, was notably left out of the invitation list. The exclusion raises eyebrows given Nigeria’s significant trade ties with the US and its status as a major oil producer. The decision has sparked speculation, particularly as other less economically influential West African countries have been included. Neither the White House nor the State Department has explained the criteria used in selecting attendees.
The Trump administration has recently pivoted its Africa policy away from traditional aid towards trade-focused engagements. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized this shift during a policy briefing on Tuesday, stating that America would now support countries that show both “the ability and willingness to help themselves.” This approach underscores Trump’s broader “America First” foreign policy doctrine, which aims to reduce foreign aid spending in favor of mutually beneficial trade deals.
Troy Fitrel, a senior US official in the Bureau of African Affairs, earlier revealed that American diplomats in Africa will now be evaluated based on how many commercial agreements they facilitate, rather than humanitarian or development outcomes. This marks a stark departure from past administrations that prioritized aid and capacity-building. The current strategy, officials argue, will foster long-term partnerships that benefit both American investors and African markets.
While the selected nations—mainly from West Africa—have varying degrees of historic ties to the United States, including Liberia’s longstanding connection, Nigeria’s omission remains the most glaring. Analysts say it reflects a complex shift in US priorities in Africa, possibly indicating political recalibration or dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s current governance. Nonetheless, the decision sends a clear signal about which countries the Trump administration sees as viable trade partners in its evolving Africa policy.
Source: Business day