“America First in Africa” policy: Africa’s critical minerals are essential to U.S. technological dominance and reindustrialization.

In an era of global disorder, Africa will be central to America’s future prosperity and security.

Nick Checker UNITED STATES BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS

“My objective here is really just to clearly and unambiguously talk about the Trump administration’s very new and different approach to development in Africa.

A New Model for Economic Prosperity in Africa approach will define how we think about critical minerals and energy. Africa sits at the center of the global race for critical minerals—from cobalt to graphite and rear earth minerals. These rare earth minerals are essential to American reindustrialization and technological dominance—core national security priorities. Yet for too long, we have been dominated by opaque and often predatory investment models that extract value without building local economies.

We are entering a new era—defined not by inputs, but outcomes; not by aid flows, but by economic growth; and not by dependency, but by mutually beneficial partnerships. And nowhere is that shift more important—or more overdue—than on the African continent.

Because Africa is not a marginal opportunity. It is the next major engine of global growth. Africa is too important to let idealistic aspirations detract focus from its immense potential—2.5 billion people by 2050, that’s a quarter of the world’s population, with a projected purchasing power of over $16 trillion, and tremendous human capital and abundant natural resources. This will rival the economies of our largest global trading partners.

African governments are increasingly seeking a different kind of partner: one that delivers transparency, job creation, skills transfer and long-term economic value. Through our critical minerals strategy, the United States is that partner. The goal of that strategy is clear: to ensure that critical minerals from Africa increasingly flow to the United States as part of secure, reliable supply chains.

Our objective is not extraction—it is value creation. That means creating the conditions for increased U.S. investment in the sector and identifying and addressing the structural factors that have inhibited investment. This will increase transparent investment, support local value addition and secure U.S. supply chain requirements. The United States secures access to minerals critical to our industry and national security. And together, we strengthen both U.S. supply chains and African economies. This is not charity. This is strategic partnership—and it is exactly what African governments are asking for.

Let me close with this: Our goal is not to sustain aid dependence in Africa. It is to make it unnecessary while advancing U.S. economic interests and mutual prosperity. And that is exactly what our new model is designed to do. Thank you.”

Donald J. Trump Administration

Nick Checker, Senior Bureau Official Bureau Of African Affairs

Washington, DC

April 10, 2026

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/trumps-short-sighted-africa-strategy/

americanprogress.org

Trump’s Short-Sighted Africa Strategy

The Trump administration views the African continent as “peripheral” to U.S. interests—a gross strategic miscalculation that will set back America’s security, competitiveness, and influence in the years to come.