At the heart of this new approach is the Trump Administration’s recently launched Bureau of African Affairs Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, unveiled in Abidjan last week. This strategy represents a deliberate pivot from traditional aid-focused policies to one that prioritizes trade, investment and private sector-led growth.

With its population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 – nearly a quarter of the global total – and a forecasted purchasing power exceeding $16 trillion, Africa presents vast opportunities for business. Yet despite this potential, U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa account for less than one percent of total American goods trade – a figure that has remained largely unchanged for over two decades. In response, the Trump Administration’s new strategy positions the private sector as the driver of sustainable economic growth and calls for dismantling trade barriers, streamlining government support for U.S. businesses and fostering a more competitive environment for American companies across the continent.

“For too long, we’ve prioritized development assistance over promoting U.S. commercial engagement in Africa. Going forward, we will continue to invest in development – but we will do so through expanded trade and private investment, because it is the private sector – not assistance – that drives economic growth,” said Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official at the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, during the strategy’s launch.

According to Fitrell, a key pillar of the strategy is making commercial diplomacy a central focus of U.S. engagement in Africa. U.S. ambassadors are now evaluated on their ability to facilitate business deals, with early results showing promising progress: within just the first 100 days, 33 deals worth over $6 billion have been signed. This new proactive stance signals that the U.S. government is ready to bring its full weight behind companies eager to expand in African markets.

Infrastructure development, market reforms and improved financing options are also priorities, with a strong emphasis on commercially viable projects that will unlock Africa’s economic potential without duplicating projects led by other global powers. The U.S. has pledged a $550 million loan for the Lobito rail corridor, for instance, a strategic infrastructure project aimed at enhancing critical mineral exports while bypassing Chinese-controlled routes.

The upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF), taking place in Houston on August 6–7, 2025, aligns closely with this renewed emphasis on commercial diplomacy. The forum brings together U.S. companies, African governments and investors to explore opportunities within Africa’s rapidly growing energy sector – a strategic area where private investment and high-quality infrastructure can drive transformative growth. As a leading platform for advancing U.S.-Africa energy investment, USAEF offers direct access to key markets and project opportunities across the continent, equipping U.S. investors with valuable market insights and fostering meaningful partnerships that will be cultivated at future events.

This new chapter in U.S.-Africa relations offers a clear path forward for American businesses and African partners alike, emphasizing trade, innovation and shared prosperity. As the U.S. deepens its commercial ties with Africa, events like the Houston forum will be essential platforms for turning policy into practice, facilitating deals and partnerships and accelerating sustainable development through trade.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com or visit usafricaenergy.com. Join us in Houston this August to connect with the leaders shaping Africa’s energy landscape and experience the momentum that drives ECP’s events worldwide.