Trump might cut aid to Africa but bankroll projects ‘aimed at displacing China’

Funding is likely to continue for key projects that can help US counter China and Russia and secure critical minerals, observers say

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Donald Trump cut funding and aid to Africa during his first term as US president and was accused of ignoring the continent. Photo: AP

Published: 1:00pm, 13 Nov 2024

Donald Trump’s second term as US president could see cuts to American aid to Africa, but projects to counter China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative will likely continue to receive funding, observers say.

During his first term in office, Trump cut funding and aid for African projects and was accused of ignoring the continent.

While the US remains Africa’s biggest contributor of aid – funding topped about US$3.7 billion last year – there are fears that an emboldened Trump could cut aid for key projects. They include the President’s Emergency Plan For Aids Relief, a bipartisan effort to fight HIV/Aids across the continent.

But the United States is expected to continue bankrolling major projects that can help it counter China and Russia on the continent and secure critical minerals for the green energy transition, according to observers. China is the continent’s largest trading partner and has financed megaprojects including ports, railways, hydro dams and roads through its belt and road infrastructure scheme.

Carlos Lopes, a professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said the global geopolitical divide had put Africa in a challenging position.

He said African nations could face pressure to align with major players, risking alienation or losing trade benefits depending on their choices. “This could create a kind of Cold War atmosphere, but one marked by access to markets, technology and financing rather than ideology,” he said.