As U.S. officials unveil a new commercial strategy for Africa, analysts question whether Washington can rival China's decades-long economic partnerships on the continent. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs recently announced its Commercial Diplomacy Strategy during a high-profile event in Côte d'Ivoire, framing it as a revitalized approach to trade relations.
Senior official Troy Fitrell acknowledged Africa's projected $16 trillion purchasing power by 2050, yet U.S. trade with Sub-Saharan Africa remains stagnant at 1% of total exports. This admission highlights Washington's growing concern as China reaps benefits from early infrastructure investments and sustained diplomatic engagement across 54 African nations.
The new U.S. strategy shifts from aid-focused policies to commercial priorities, with ambassadors now being evaluated on business deal closures. However, critics argue the approach maintains familiar patterns of conditional engagement, demanding market reforms while dismissing Chinese-led projects as "vanity" initiatives.
African analysts note the contrast between China's infrastructure-for-resources model and the U.S.'s renewed emphasis on private sector deals. "This isn't mutual partnership – it's transactional diplomacy," said Zimbabwean commentator Dereck Goto, highlighting concerns about requirements for African nations to lower trade barriers despite potential cost disadvantages.
The development comes as China-Africa trade volumes approach $300 billion annually, supported by consistent high-level engagement and financing mechanisms like the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, U.S. efforts face skepticism from African leaders seeking equitable partnerships rather than geopolitical competition.
