United States Policy on Africa: Do We (Still) Matter?

The United States no longer constitutes a monolith in determining Africa’s future. In fact, no single country does—not Russia, not China. Africa has options, well noted in welcome statements by Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken: “Africa does not need to pick sides.” Africans see double standards in US policy (“do as we say, not as we do”). Understandably, they turn to other options in seeking better outcomes for their countries. Partners such as the Russian Federation may seem unsavory to the United States, but rhetoric alone will not persuade Africans to drop them. High-level VIP visits leave them largely indifferent. Private sector investment could succeed where public efforts leave a dubious record. If US investors can overcome risk aversion, they may supplant or complement a public sector that Africans find unresponsive to their needs and wishes. Encouraged and energized, US investors could meet Africa’s challenges, and mutually benefit from its rewards.