The upcoming US presidential election might reshape African-US relations in ways that could affect millions. While Africa isnt a hot-topic in campaign talks its future hangs in balance as both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump prepare their plans
The continents got serious stuff at stake: its got the fastest growing population worldwide plus lots of those green-energy minerals everyone wants (which makes it super-important for the whole clean-energy thing). The US has kinda been sleeping on Africa letting China and Gulf countries step in and grab influence
Hereʼs whatʼs keeping African leaders up at night:
- Trade and economic plans
- Immigration rules
- Climate action funding
- Health-care programs
- Regional peace-keeping
The US-Africa trade scene is pretty messy right now - the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act ends in late-25‚ and its mostly helped just a few countries. Both candidates would probably keep pushing back against China but their methods would be way-different
Immigration is a huge deal: African nations are split on this one Some like Kenya want to send workers abroad while others worry about brain-drain. Trumpʼs previous tough stance (remember that immigration ban on 6 African countries) makes some leaders nervous while Harris seems more open to skilled-worker visas
When it comes to climate stuff African leaders want more power plants but Western nations dont wanna fund fossil fuels. The Africa Energy Bank (started this year) is doing its own thing with Middle East cash since nobody else will help. Healthcare programs like PEPFAR which has helped millions might change too depending on whos in charge
Security-wise theres lots going on - especially in places like the Horn of Africa where Russia and Gulf countries are stirring things up. The next president will need to figure out how to handle all these moving parts without messing things up even more
Both candidates would probably keep trying to beat China in the race for minerals but theyd do it pretty differently. Harris might stick with current plans while Trump could shake everything up with his own ideas