In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on May 14, 2025, U.S. Ambassador Troy Fitrell rolled out the new U.S. Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for Africa—a high-stakes effort to boost American trade and close the gap with China’s deep-rooted presence on the continent.
Ambassadors will now be judged on closed deals, as Washington shifts from decades of aid-driven policy to a "Trade, not Aid" mantra. Behind the buzzwords lies urgency: by 2050, Africa’s population is set to reach 2.5 billion, wielding an estimated $16 trillion in purchasing power, yet U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa remain stuck at around 1 percent of total American trade.
Fitrell admitted past U.S. approaches prioritized aid over commerce and macroeconomic reforms over direct market access, leaving a fragmented system that China has capitalized on. "We can no longer wait," he said, emphasizing the need for streamlined market reforms and commercial partnerships.
The strategy carves out a clear agenda: African nations willing to reform markets and reduce trade barriers could earn "investment-ready" status, unlocking American private-sector interest. Yet some critics warn this carrot comes with strings attached, and question whether the U.S. can match China’s rapid infrastructure financing and long-term commitments without repeating old power dynamics.
With China’s projects sometimes labeled "vanity" by U.S. officials, the new plan aims to showcase "commercially viable" American alternatives—from renewable energy to digital infrastructure. Balancing mutual prosperity with geopolitical rivalry will be key: Africa’s leaders are keen to diversify partners, but success hinges on genuine collaboration rather than transactional deals.
As the U.S. retools its Africa policy, one question looms large: Will "Trade, not Aid" rewrite the rules for a continent on the rise, or will it echo familiar scripts of great-power competition?
Reference(s):
U.S. scrambles to counter China's enduring partnership in Africa
cgtn.com
