The first U.S.-Africa summit of President Donald Trump’s second term is set to take place next week in Washington, from July 9 to 11, with leaders from West and Central Africa expected to attend, according to media reports.
Presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal are reportedly among those slated to participate, per Africa Intelligence and Semafor. Reuters has not yet confirmed the full guest list.
The gathering comes amid a sharp transformation in U.S. Africa policy, defined by steep aid reductions and a pivot toward commercial engagement. Under Trump’s “America First” framework, Washington has slashed traditional development aid in favor of promoting self-reliance and mutual economic gain.
“We’re moving away from charity,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on supporting governments that show both “the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
Troy Fitrel, the senior U.S. official for African Affairs, added that American diplomats will now be evaluated by the investment and trade deals they help secure—marking a performance-based approach in contrast to past aid-centered metrics.
The summit is expected to focus heavily on economic cooperation, infrastructure, energy, and digital partnerships. While some African leaders have voiced concern over the aid cuts, others welcome the results-oriented model as a chance to redefine the continent’s engagement with the West.
Observers say the event may mark a decisive shift in U.S.-Africa relations, trading symbolism for deal-making—and placing African capitals on notice that Washington’s new engagement style will demand more than goodwill.