U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a multilateral lunch with five West African leaders at the White House, signaling a continued shift in the U.S. relationship with Africa towards a focus on trade and investment over traditional foreign aid. The meeting gathered heads of state from Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau for discussions aimed at deepening commercial ties and exploring strategic partnerships.

The participating African leaders included President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau. The gathering, which commenced on Wednesday, July 9, is part of a broader summit set to run through July 11 in Washington, D.C.

During the lunch, President Trump emphasized what he described as “great economic potential in Africa,” underscoring the continent’s abundant natural resources, including critical minerals. This approach aligns with the administration’s pivot from what it terms a “charity-based foreign aid model,” following the recent dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The administration stated its intention to focus on partnerships with nations demonstrating the “ability and willingness to help themselves.”

Discussions centered on key areas of cooperation, including economic development, security, infrastructure, and trade opportunities. The leaders, in their individual remarks, largely adopted a flattering tone, commending President Trump for his efforts in fostering peace deals globally and highlighting their respective nations’ untapped natural resources. Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, for instance, noted his country’s resources like rare earths, manganese, uranium, and potentially lithium, emphasizing investment opportunities.

Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai issued a statement expressing optimism about the summit’s outcomes, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to regional stability, democratic governance, and inclusive economic growth. The summit also comes on the heels of a U.S.-brokered preliminary peace agreement last month between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which aims to address a long-running conflict while potentially enhancing U.S. access to critical minerals in the region.

By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com