…..warns of new trade challenges and opportunities
The Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) recently hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic “Trump 2.0 and Africa: Dangers and Prospects”, bringing together renowned experts to deliberate on the potential impact of Donald Trump’s policies on the African continent.
According to Professor Anthony Kila, in his address of welcome, the event was organized as part of CIAPS’ effort to contribute to public discourse and shape the narrative on issues affecting the world.
The discussion centered around the idea that Trump’s policies are significantly influencing global events, and it is essential for Africans to consider how they will react to these changes.
Rather than simply judging the policies as good or bad, the focus should be on how Africa can respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by “Trump 2.0”.
The event featured a keynote speaker who is known for having a more nuanced view of Trump, offering a unique perspective on the potential implications of his policies for Africa.
The roundtable, promised not just analysis but revelation-a dissection of the continent’s fate as Donald Trump reclaimed the Oval Office.
The paper presenter, a commonwealth scholar, public policy analyst, Mr. Magnus Onyibe, strode to the podium, his smile radiant, his enthusiasm infecting the room.
The gravity of the moment was unmistakable: Africa’s future, once again, seemed tethered to the unpredictable winds of Washington.
As Mr. Onyibe began, his words danced between caution and possibility. He painted a complex landscape: the shadows of Trump’s bold, nationalist policies looming over trade and aid, the uncertainty of shifting immigration laws, the ever-present question, would Africa seize this moment to assert its own relevance, or be swept aside by the tides of American self-interest?
The roundtable was not just an event; it was a crucible, forging Africa’s response to a new era of global power.
Mr. Onyibe examined the complex landscape facing Africa as Donald Trump embarks on his second term as President of the United States, a development that has sent ripples through the global trade system and left policymakers across the continent weighing both dangers and prospects.
Trump’s return to the White House has reignited debates over America’s global economic posture, with his administration’s preference for bilateral deals and protectionist tariffs once again taking center stage.
According to him, for Africa, the immediate concern is the fate of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a linchpin of US, Africa trade since 2000, which grants duty-free access to the US market for select African exports.
While AGOA remains in place for now, Trump’s track record suggests it could face scrutiny or renegotiation, potentially introducing stricter eligibility requirements or reciprocal concessions that would alter the economic lifeline it has provided to many African nations.
The Trump administration’s approach is not limited to AGOA, nothing that, early moves have included sweeping tariffs on global trading partners, a strategy that has already caused friction with countries like Mexico and raised questions about compliance with existing trade agreements.
African exports, from Nigerian goods to Lesotho’s diamonds and textiles, now face higher tariffs-some as steep as 50%-raising the specter of a breach in the AGOA framework.
The African Union is now under pressure to engage Washington directly, much as Mexico did, to seek exemptions or adjustments before the current 90-day tariff pause expires.
Yet, as Onyibe notes, this moment of uncertainty is also a window of opportunity. Trump’s “America First” doctrine, while disruptive, could force Africa to rethink its position in the global value chain.
The continent’s historic marginalization-traced from the Berlin Conference through decades of resource extraction and unfair trade-has left it a supplier of raw materials rather than a hub for manufacturing or value-added exports.
He stressed, the new trade order, shaped by Trump’s tariffs and the ongoing US-China rivalry, could prompt a strategic pivot.
With China facing severe US tariffs, Africa could position itself as a new manufacturing base for American companies seeking alternatives to Asia, especially given the continent’s proximity and abundant resources.
Africa’s response, however, must be unified and strategic. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a framework for collective bargaining, potentially transforming Africa from a patchwork of small markets into a single, powerful bloc.
The public policy analyst reiterated that, unity could enhance Africa’s leverage in negotiations, whether with the US, China, or other global players. But challenges remain: infrastructure deficits, regulatory hurdles, and political instability-exacerbated by recent coups in the Sahel-continue to undermine the continent’s competitiveness.
Trump’s administration has signaled a shift away from traditional aid toward private sector engagement, challenging Africa to shed dependency and embrace self-reliance. This message, encapsulated in the administration’s Project 2025, urges African leaders to invest in regional partnerships, foster innovation, and prioritize local value addition.
The continent’s vast mineral wealth, agricultural potential, and youthful population are assets waiting to be harnessed, but only if African governments can create an enabling environment for investment and industrialization.
Signs of a strategic shift are emerging. The appointment of Africa-focused advisers in Washington and increased diplomatic engagement suggest that the US recognizes Africa’s growing importance-not just as a market, but as a partner in global security and economic growth.
High-profile US investors and African billionaires alike are being called upon to invest in sectors ranging from energy and digital infrastructure to agriculture and manufacturing, leveraging the opportunities presented by AfCFTA and the continent’s demographic boom.
Nevertheless, risks abound. A more transactional US approach-focused on countering Chinese influence and demanding reciprocal trade concessions-could alienate African states or push them further into China’s orbit.
Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric and past derogatory remarks about Africa have left some leaders wary, while the continent’s persistent exclusion from the commanding heights of global trade remains a sobering reality.
Ultimately, Onyibe argues, Africa’s path forward lies in seizing this moment of upheaval to assert its interests, build regional value chains, and demand fairer terms in global commerce.
He stressed, the challenge is formidable, but so too is the opportunity. As the world’s economic order is reshaped, Africa must move from the margins to the center-not as a passive observer, but as a proactive architect of its own destiny.
The Trump 2.0 era, then, is both a warning and a call to action: Africa must rise to the challenge, leveraging unity, innovation, and strategic partnerships to turn potential dangers into lasting prospects.
The roundtable discussion was divided into three key segments, beginning with an introductory address, followed by the keynote speech, and culminating in a panel discussion and open forum where participants could engage in a lively exchange of ideas and ask questions moderated by Vimbai Mutinhiri, Arise TV, international broadcaster and journalist.
The event also provided an opportunity for CIAPS to showcase its partnership with Panorama, a new publication focused on governance reviews, and the Cambridge African Roundtable, a UK-based organization with which CIAPS is proudly affiliated.
Overall, the CIAPS roundtable aimed to facilitate a thoughtful and informative conversation about the potential dangers and prospects of “Trump 2.0” for Africa, and how the continent can navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Nevertheless, risks abound. A more transactional US approach-focused on countering Chinese influence and demanding reciprocal trade concessions-could alienate African states or push them further into China’s orbit.
Ultimately, Onyibe argues, Africa’s path forward lies in seizing this moment of upheaval to assert its interests, build regional value chains, and demand fairer terms in global commerce.
He stressed, the challenge is formidable, but so too is the opportunity. As the world’s economic order is reshaped, Africa must move from the margins to the center-not as a passive observer, but as a proactive architect of its own destiny.
The Trump 2.0 era, then, is both a warning and a call to action: Africa must rise to the challenge, leveraging unity, innovation, and strategic partnerships to turn potential dangers into lasting prospects.
The roundtable discussion was divided into three key segments, beginning with an introductory address, followed by the keynote speech, and culminating in a panel discussion and open forum where participants could engage in a lively exchange of ideas and ask questions moderated by Vimbai Mutinhiri, Arise TV, international broadcaster and journalist.
Overall, the CIAPS roundtable aimed to facilitate a thoughtful and informative conversation about the potential dangers and prospects of “Trump 2.0” for Africa, and how the continent can navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
