In the coming decades, Africa will redefine global economics, demographics, and geopolitics. With a projected population of 2.5 billion people by 2050 and a wealth of natural resources critical to modern technology, the continent holds unparalleled promise and potential. For U.S. President elect Donald Trump—and indeed any world leader—the choice to overlook Africa would not only be shortsighted but also detrimental to U.S. strategic interests. Africa’s growth is reshaping the global order, and those who ignore it risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape.
A Growing Population and Economic Potential
Africa is the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent. By 2050, it will host more than a quarter of the global population, with the majority of its people under the age of 25. This “youth bulge” represents both an opportunity and a challenge. If harnessed effectively, it could fuel a surge in productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, driving economic growth that benefits not just Africa but the entire world. On the other hand, a lack of opportunity and investment could lead to economic stagnation, mass migration, and the rise of instability.
For the United States, a flourishing Africa could mean a vast new market, a steady source of raw materials for technology and industry, and a powerful partner in addressing global challenges. But engaging with Africa requires sustained investment, not just in extractive industries but in infrastructure, education, and health. For example, the continent is experiencing rapid urbanization, creating a need for advanced infrastructure that American companies could help build. There’s also the enormous market potential: consumer spending in Africa is expected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2030. American businesses would be wise to seize these opportunities before their international rivals solidify their foothold.
A Wealth of Strategic Resources
Africa’s natural resources make it a global powerhouse in waiting. The continent holds an estimated 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including critical minerals essential to high-tech industries. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone supplies over 60% of the world’s cobalt—a metal crucial to the production of electric vehicle batteries, smartphones, and renewable energy technology. Africa also possesses abundant reserves of lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, all vital for clean energy transitions.
China, recognizing this potential, has aggressively expanded its influence across Africa, establishing partnerships, securing resource contracts, and funding massive infrastructure projects. The Belt and Road Initiative has seen billions of dollars poured into African railways, ports, and roads, creating a lasting footprint that extends China’s influence far into the future. If the U.S. fails to respond with its own vision for engagement, it risks ceding this influence to its greatest strategic competitor, compromising access to vital resources and diminishing its geopolitical leverage.
A more engaged U.S. presence in Africa could support fair and transparent trade agreements, ensure environmental and labor standards, and foster a more balanced partnership. Rather than allowing resource extraction to lead to exploitation or environmental degradation, the U.S. has an opportunity to promote responsible resource management that benefits African nations and creates sustainable supply chains for critical materials.
A Balancing Force Against Extremism
Beyond economic concerns, Africa’s stability is vital for global security. Many African nations face the dual challenges of economic hardship and terrorism. In regions like the Sahel, extremist groups exploit poverty, unemployment, and governmental weaknesses to recruit disenfranchised youth. Climate change, by worsening droughts and depleting arable land, only exacerbates these issues, driving more people toward desperation and conflict.
The U.S. has historically invested in counterterrorism efforts in Africa, but a purely military approach is insufficient. Economic development, job creation, and education are essential to address the root causes of extremism and prevent violence. By investing in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, the U.S. can foster resilience and self-reliance within African societies, reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies. In doing so, America would not only secure its own safety but also contribute to a more stable and prosperous global community.
Climate Change and the Global Commons
Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions. Severe droughts, rising temperatures, and increasingly erratic weather patterns threaten food security, livelihoods, and entire communities. African nations need support and resources to build resilience against these climate impacts.
A forward-looking partnership with Africa on climate issues could serve mutual interests. The continent’s vast renewable energy potential, including solar and wind, positions it as a future leader in clean energy. The U.S. can play a role in developing Africa’s green energy infrastructure, helping to lower global emissions while fostering sustainable development. Furthermore, collaborative efforts on conservation and climate resilience would protect Africa’s natural biodiversity, a global asset that includes crucial ecosystems like the Congo Basin, often referred to as the “lungs of Africa.”
Supporting Africa in the fight against climate change would not only demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to a greener future but also counteract the narrative that the West exploits Africa’s resources without regard for its people or environment.
Human Capital and Knowledge Exchange
Africa’s young population is brimming with potential innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. However, barriers to movement and limited opportunities often lead to a brain drain, where African talent migrates to other parts of the world, particularly Europe and North America. Currently, many African doctors, engineers, and other skilled professionals are practicing abroad, providing benefits to their host countries at the expense of their homeland.
By embracing policies that promote educational exchange, skill-building, and entrepreneurship, the U.S. could help transform this brain drain into a brain gain for Africa. Initiatives like the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which provides leadership training and networking opportunities for young African leaders, have proven successful but remain limited in scale. A more robust and sustained approach to building human capital in Africa could yield tremendous dividends for both Africa and the United States, fostering goodwill and generating mutually beneficial economic and social impacts.
The Case for a Long-Term Vision
While Trump’s “America First” approach is centred on domestic priorities, a truly visionary America First policy would recognize that America’s prosperity is deeply intertwined with global stability and growth. Africa’s rise is an undeniable reality that will reshape global markets, influence technological advancements, and present unique challenges and opportunities. By ignoring Africa, the U.S. would miss out on these advantages and allow China and other powers to define Africa’s future partnerships and priorities.
Engaging with Africa demands a long-term, strategic approach, one that goes beyond short-term trade deals or resource extraction. It requires investment in people, infrastructure, and institutions—foundations that will ensure Africa’s progress is sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to all parties involved.
For Trump or any world leader, recognizing Africa’s significance is no longer optional; it’s essential. A vibrant, self-sufficient, and interconnected Africa is in the best interest of the U.S. and the world at large. Embracing Africa’s potential will not only secure critical resources and markets for America’s future but also support a more stable, prosperous, and just global order. As Africa grows, so too must America’s commitment to being a genuine partner in its development journey.
