President Donald Trump’s administration has drawn global attention for cutting aid to Africa, but a senior US envoy insists the continent still matters to Washington.
Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa, recently defended Trump’s policies in an interview with the BBC, saying Africa holds strategic and economic value for the United States—even as many humanitarian programmes have been shut down.
The aid freeze, announced on Trump’s first day back in office, has halted major US-funded health services across Africa. Programmes once managed by USAID have stopped, affecting millions who relied on supplies like HIV medication. According to the World Health Organization, six African nations including Nigeria and Kenya are at risk of running out of essential drugs. Humanitarian groups warn that the funding freeze could force nearly six million more people into poverty by next year.
Tragic stories have already emerged. In South Sudan, eight people—five of them children—reportedly died after walking long distances in search of treatment. Their local clinic had been closed after US aid was cut. Still, Boulos pushed back on claims that these deaths were a direct result of American policy, arguing that reviews were necessary to improve transparency and outcomes in US aid spending.
At the same time, Boulos pointed to renewed American interest in Africa’s vast natural resources. On a recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he noted that several US companies are eyeing the country’s lithium reserves, a key mineral for battery production. The DRC has been torn by violence for decades, with rebel groups like M23 occupying major territories. The US is pressuring Rwanda, accused of backing the rebels, to withdraw its troops and stop support.
Boulos also hinted at opportunities in neighboring Rwanda but said any business engagement would depend on political stability. The Trump administration sees investment in African resources as a way to challenge China’s growing dominance on the continent.
When asked if the US was merely seeking profit from Africa, Boulos responded that the main goal is to support American interests while building fair and strategic partnerships. He emphasized that the administration wants to promote peace as well, highlighting conflicts like the civil war in Sudan as top concerns.
Boulos, who also has private business interests in Africa, visited several countries on his trip, including Kenya and Uganda. He said Trump believes foreign powers have taken unfair advantage of Africa and that it’s time for the US to reset those relationships with clearer terms.
Tariffs have added to the tension. Trump recently imposed new levies on African goods, raising fears about the future of trade agreements like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). Lesotho, a key textile exporter under Agoa, was hit with a 50% tariff—though it has been paused for 90 days. Boulos dismissed concerns, saying most African exports to the US remain small and that the tariffs won’t cause major damage.
Despite the policy shifts, Boulos insists that Africa remains a vital part of US foreign policy. Whether that message convinces those affected by the aid cuts remains to be seen. For now, the Trump administration is walking a fine line between reshaping its presence in Africa and avoiding a full-blown backlash across the continent.