seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Slovakia
seen from United States
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from China
seen from Taiwan
seen from Canada
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
Today, U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon participated in the “U.S.-African Partnerships: Advancing Common Interests Symposium” hosted by @usipeace. The symposium brought together experts to discuss the relationship between the United States and Africa with a special focus on the emerging partnerships that will define the U.S.-Africa relationship in the 21st century. #USAfrica
the lobito corridor series: trump's africa policy and the corridor
the continuity question: when trump took office in january 2025, the lobito corridor was the flagship US infrastructure commitment to africa — $4 billion committed, framed as the centrepiece of the US response to china's belt and road initiative. the question: would a trump administration that had dramatically reduced USAID funding and reoriented toward "america first" maintain that commitment?
the answer: yes, with a reframing. the DFC signed the $753 million financing package in december 2025, explicitly framing it as reflecting "president trump's commitment to forging strong partnerships and alliances in africa." US africa bureau assistant secretary nominee frank garcia cited the lobito corridor at his senate confirmation hearing in march 2026 as "a model for a new direction in US-africa ties" — anchored in core US national interests.
the reframing: under biden, the corridor was framed as a climate transition project. under trump, it has been redefined as a geopolitical instrument: countering china's dominance in african mineral supply chains, strengthening US control over critical materials. the state department's "america first in africa" policy document (march 2026) lists the corridor as a flagship example — with language about ensuring "that critical minerals from africa begin flowing west to the united states."
the US-DRC strategic partnership agreement: the DFC has issued a letter of intent to mota-engil to finance the rehabilitation of the dilolo-sakania railway line — the DRC bottleneck described in the previous post.
the risks: the trump administration has gutted USAID, suspending approximately $20 million in corridor development programmes for agricultural value chain development and community displacement mitigation. a december 2025 global witness investigation found 3,500-6,500 people at risk of eviction in kolwezi for DRC railway rehabilitation.
for zambia, the bottom line: the US remains committed to the lobito corridor as a critical minerals supply chain infrastructure project. the zambian section's financing and construction will proceed. what has been lost is some of the broader development scaffolding. what remains is the railway.
the lobito corridor series continues. 🇿🇲🚆
The “A” in “USA” is pretty ambiguous
United States of America? North or South? Or is it United States of Asia? Africa? Australia?? ANTARCTICA???
Really the only one ruled out is Europe.
Just last month, President Obama hosted a spectacular and historic summit in Washington of more than 40 heads of state from Sub-Saharan Africa. Never before had there been such an ambitious American outreach to this enormous continent, a fact all the more remarkable because it is home to more than 1 billion people -- people who also happen to be current or potential consumers and partners for American businesses. When asked – as political and economic observers do of all international summits -- whether the event made any difference, my answer is a resounding “yes.”
Read more about the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on DipNote.
Kenya set to feature strongly in US-Africa talks
Kenya set to feature strongly in US-Africa talks
Kenya set to feature strongly in US-Africa talks Washington DC: Kenya will feature prominently in discussions between the US Government and 50 African heads of state and governments seeking to bolster trade and bilateral ties. Kenya has been singled out for showcasing a shift in the US policy from a … Read more on The Standard Digital News
Campaign to halt caretaker's deportation to Kenya Hundreds…
View On WordPress
Washington's consensus on the US-Africa Summit
Washington's consensus on the US-Africa Summit
The mystery of a US$100 billion Africa infrastructure fund to be financed equally by Africa and the US – which appeared on a list of expectations for the summit put out in advance by South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister …
View On WordPress
We must do more to engage men and boys in efforts to end violence against women and girls. #USAfrica
Obama talks new US-Africa links
Obama talks new US-Africa links
When he addressed about 47 Heads of State and Government at the opening session of the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC on Wednesday, Mr Obama emphasised the need for a new model of partnership between Africa and America.
View On WordPress
