US President Donald Trump is set to host leaders from five African nations at the White House next week, with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu notably absent from the invitation list.
According to a White House official, presidents from Senegal, Mauritania, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Gabon will participate in discussions and a lunch scheduled for July 9, 2025. The meeting will focus on exploring commercial opportunities between the United States and these African nations.
"President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners," the White House official explained.
America First Policy Shapes African Engagement
The invitation comes amid significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid for Africa under the Trump administration. These reductions align with Trump's "America First" policies, which aim to curb spending considered wasteful or misaligned with U.S. interests.
Despite these cuts, the U.S. government has indicated a shift in focus toward trade and investment opportunities with African nations, emphasizing a desire to "drive mutual prosperity" rather than traditional aid relationships.
The exclusion of Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous nation, from this diplomatic engagement has raised questions about the strategic direction of U.S.-Nigeria relations under the current administration.
This development comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face significant economic challenges and security concerns, issues where international partnerships could prove valuable.
Neither the Nigerian presidency nor the U.S. State Department has issued official comments regarding Nigeria's absence from the invitation list.
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