A Trump visit to Africa is important — and carries some urgency

A Trump visit to Africa is important — and carries some urgency

Photo source: The Hill

President Trump should visit Africa in 2019 and engage in regional summits and bilateral meetings. That would encourage American investors and business leaders to shift toward Africa, and ultimately bolster U.S. interests and influence. The stakes are rising, and the United States must ensure it is not left behind.

The Trump administration should make it a priority to accelerate the implementation of a comprehensive, mutually beneficial U.S.-Africa strategy. The Prosper Africa initiative is a step toward increasing economic ties with African countries by investing in the private sector to improve the business climate across the continent, but USAID and other federal programs also must expand their focus toward sub-Saharan Africa and countries that have not been primary partners.