In a renewed push to bolster Africa–U.S. relations, five West and Central African presidents held a high-stakes meeting with United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday at the White House, seeking strategic partnerships to develop their natural resources and enhance local value chains. The diplomatic engagement, which took place in the State Dining Room of the White House, brought together the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal.
The African leaders, addressing President Trump in a luncheon-style summit, expressed the need for “win-win” partnerships that could help unlock the continent’s vast natural wealth—ranging from minerals to oil—through local processing and foreign direct investment. The meeting is widely viewed as part of Trump’s campaign to reassert U.S. influence on the continent and counter China’s growing economic footprint in Africa.
President Trump, speaking warmly of Africa’s untapped economic potential, described the visiting nations as “very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people.”
“There’s a lot of anger on your continent. We’ve been able to solve a lot of it,” Trump remarked, referencing a recent White House-brokered peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which was praised as a major diplomatic milestone.
Trump further hinted that the five countries may be exempt from his administration’s controversial tariffs on African exports. Analysts view this as a potential carrot to spur cooperation and investment alignment with U.S. interests.
During the meeting, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema made a passionate case for foreign investment that supports local beneficiation. “We are not poor countries. We are rich in raw materials. But we need committed partners who are willing to help us build industries on African soil,” Nguema stated.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye also pitched tourism as a key growth area for his country, noting its proximity to the U.S. East Coast. “A golf course six hours from New York, Mr. President—you should come and show your skills,” Faye quipped, in a light moment that underscored the business-meets-diplomacy tone of the summit.
Liberia’s President was praised by Trump for his fluent command of English, drawing chuckles and applause. Though largely symbolic, the moment demonstrated Trump’s rapport-building approach and the optics of goodwill in his dealings with African states.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) used the occasion to announce new support for resource-based infrastructure in the region. According to DFC’s Head of Investments, Conor Coleman, the agency will fund project development for the Banio Potash Mine in Mayumba, Gabon—an initiative expected to reduce the country’s dependence on fertilizer imports while creating local jobs.
“DFC’s efforts not only benefit local communities but also advance U.S. interests by opening markets and enhancing global economic security,” Coleman said.
While trade and investment dominated the summit’s public narrative, policy insiders say Trump’s administration is also keen on addressing two critical issues: irregular migration and narcotics trafficking.
Mauritania, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau serve as both transit and origin countries for migrants attempting to reach Europe or the Americas, and have long been flagged for growing narcotics routes. Officials say future cooperation could include joint security frameworks and intelligence sharing.
According to White House sources, President Trump may host a larger U.S.–Africa Summit later in 2025, potentially aligning with the United Nations General Assembly in September. The summit could serve as a launchpad for deeper economic and diplomatic ties amid intensifying global competition for Africa’s resources and markets.
The symbolic power of Wednesday’s mini-summit lies not just in optics, but in positioning. It signals to Beijing—and other global players—that Washington intends to reclaim relevance in Africa.