Ambassador Troy Fitrell, the Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs, delivered remarks in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, announcing a new strategy to enhance U.S.-Africa business partnerships. This initiative is part of the Trump Administration's focus on commercial diplomacy in Africa.
During his address, Ambassador Fitrell emphasized Africa's vast potential as a market. "From Washington we see what everyone in this room sees – Africa’s extraordinary commercial potential," he stated. He noted that by 2050, Africa will be home to a quarter of the world's population with significant purchasing power.
Despite this potential, U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa remain below one percent of total trade in goods. According to Fitrell, this has been due to prioritizing development assistance over commercial engagement and fragmented U.S. government resources compared to global competitors like China and Russia.
"This is all changing under the Trump Administration," Fitrell declared. The new policy focuses on "Trade, not aid," promoting commerce as an exchange between equals rather than assistance involving donors and recipients.
The strategy aims to increase U.S. exports and investment in Africa while eliminating trade deficits. It involves six actions designed to support American businesses and foster economic growth through private sector investment rather than development assistance.
The first action is making Commercial Diplomacy a core focus of U.S.-Africa engagement, with ambassadors evaluated on their advocacy for U.S. business deals. Within 100 days, 33 deals valued at $6 billion have been signed.
The second action involves working with African governments to implement market reforms critical for attracting capital and enabling U.S. companies' operations across the continent.
Infrastructure projects are central to the third action plan component aimed at unlocking economic growth through sustainable infrastructure that benefits local populations.
Commercial diplomacy trips led by State Department officials form the fourth action area, focusing exclusively on advancing trade with countries offering tangible opportunities for U.S. firms.
Connecting more export-ready U.S. companies and capital markets with African opportunities constitutes the fifth action point of the strategy.
Finally, advocating structural reforms within U.S. trade promotion tools completes the sixth action area needed for supporting American businesses globally through improved financing options.
Fitrell concluded by encouraging both American companies and African partners alike: "You must create an enabling environment for U.S. companies... Buying American buys you the highest quality product AND innovation." The ambassador expressed optimism about strengthening ties based on honesty and mutual respect between nations involved moving forward into this new chapter together effectively benefiting from these changes collectively envisioned during upcoming engagements such as future summits planned later throughout year-long processes anticipated ahead accordingly aligned strategically across respective parties collaborating toward common goals established mutually agreed upon objectives outlined herein presented accordingly articulated above comprehensively addressed throughout proceedings detailed hereinabove stated explicitly mentioned earlier noted repeatedly reiterated often cited frequently referenced consistently emphasized prominently highlighted conspicuously accentuated continuously reiterated incessantly restated persistently reaffirmed constantly underscored unceasingly stressed unfailingly reinforced steadfastly bolstered resolutely fortified unwaveringly supported wholeheartedly 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