Terlumun Uji, a professor of Economic History at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State has said that the foreign policy of the United States towards Africa has historically relegated the continent to a secondary role in global development.
While reacting to the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of America in an interview with BusinessDay on Tuesday in Jos, Uji said despite Africa’s strategic importance, with its vast resources like crude oil and precious stones, its economic output remains a fraction of that of the United States.
He highlighted the vast economic gap between Africa and regions such as California, which has a GDP much larger than that of the entire continent.
Uji pointed out that Africa, despite its vital mineral exports, remains economically insignificant compared to the U.S., with the trade between the two regions not matching the volume of domestic trade within the U.S.
The university Don noted that Africa is a major consumer of American manufactured goods, especially in food, textiles, and military products, but Still, Africa’s dependence on the West continues to define its relationship with the U.S., rooted in the colonial history of exploitation.
The analyst emphasizes that U.S. foreign policy, whether under Democrats or Republicans, has been shaped by a shared perception of Africa as a neo-colonial entity.
“Africa continues to be seen as an exporter of raw materials and an importer of Western goods, perpetuating a cycle of dependency”; he said.
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He argues that this view is particularly prominent in Republican administrations, which often criticize African leaders for their failure to utilize the continent’s resources effectively.
Uji traces this sentiment back to past Republican presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, who publicly criticized African leaders for corruption and mismanagement.
“Reagan notably challenged African leaders at the U.N. in the 1980s, claiming that their personal wealth undermined any rationale for debt relief. Similarly, Bush described African leaders as dictators who manipulated constitutions to hold onto power, impeding democratic progress”
“During his first term, Donald Trump’s foreign policy towards Africa was centered on issues such as terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Sudan”; he added.
The historian noted that these nations have become major exporters of terrorism and drugs, which directly threaten U.S. national security.
Looking ahead to Trump’s second term, Uji predicts that these same issues will continue to drive U.S. foreign policy towards Africa as Nigeria remains a key focus, with little change in its corruption, terrorism, and human rights violations. The analyst argues that the Trump administration will likely maintain a firm stance on these issues, pressing for accountability and reform in African governance.
Despite some claims of racism regarding Trump’s cabinet and public image, Uji believes that Trump has extended opportunities for engagement with African leaders. He noted that Trump invited Nigerian religious figures, such as Pastor William Kumuyi and gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey, to his inauguration, signaling a potential diplomatic opening.This gesture, Uji argues, shows Trump’s willingness to engage with Africa’s religious communities and challenges the political elites who perpetuate corruption.
Ultimately, the historian concludes that Trump’s administration shares the vision of previous Republican presidents to see Africa transformed into a continent of responsible, accountable leadership with a focus on eradicating corruption and fostering development, he believes that the Trump administration aims to lift Africa from its current state of poverty and dependency, seeking a brighter future for the continent.
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