Why is Trump meeting five African presidents this week?

"A White House official explained last week that 'President Trump believes African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities that benefit both the American people and our African partners,'" says DW's Washington correspondent, Ines Pohl.

"In a recent update, Trump highlighted the vast commercial potential of African nations, suggesting stronger economic ties could be mutually beneficial. However, his administration has cut back on US foreign aid to Africa, viewing it as wasteful and incompatible with his 'America First' agenda. Instead, the focus is shifting toward trade and investment, particularly in West Africa's critical minerals sector and regional security."

Why these five countries?

Trump's approach to Africa appears to have evolved since his first term. During a White House meeting on January 10, 2018, he famously referred to Haiti and several African countries as "shithole countries."

"We recall those harsh words, but things have changed," says Prof. Suleymane Bachir Diagne of Senegal, who teaches and researches at Columbia University in New York City. "Africa is now on the radar of the Trump administration. The continent is recognised as a place to make deals."

But if Trump's agenda truly centres on deals and ‘America First,' why invite the presidents of these five relatively small economies? "It's surprising," Diagne says. "One might expect the usual suspects — large economies like South Africa or Nigeria. Instead, we have these five countries, which few anticipated."

What role do natural resources play?

In terms of trade volume with the US, the five countries are relatively minor players. However, all possess significant untapped natural resources:

Gabon is rich in oil, manganese, uranium, iron ore, gold, and rare earth elements.

Guinea-Bissau holds deposits of phosphates, bauxite, oil, gas, and gold.

Liberia has notable manganese and gold reserves, and diamonds have been found near its border with Sierra Leone.

Mauritania is endowed with iron ore, gold, copper, oil, natural gas, and rare earth elements.

Senegal boasts gold, phosphates, iron ore, and rare earth minerals, in addition to oil and gas fields.

What about migration and drugs?

"Controlling migration and drug routes — that's what Donald Trump is truly interested in," says Zakaria Ould Amar, an international consultant from Mauritania.

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"These five countries lie directly on refugee and migrant paths that have, over the years, sent tens of thousands of people to the US-Mexico border. International drug routes also run through this region."

Amar suggests that these security issues will dominate Trump's talks with the five African leaders. Economically, these countries are currently of little significance. I can't see what Trump could realistically negotiate with them in terms of trade or business."

American affairs expert Prof. William Ferreira from Guinea-Bissau is sceptical: "I doubt this meeting will bring tangible benefits to the African countries involved. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

"Our president's trip to Washington to meet Trump is not good news for Guinea-Bissau or its people," he says. Ferreira notes that the Trump administration has halted or drastically cut funding for aid projects in Africa, as well as in Guinea-Bissau, dimming any hopes tied to the meeting in Washington.

Five countries with rule of law challenges

For Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, however, the gathering presents an opportunity to showcase himself as a respected statesman on the international stage, despite significant internal challenges. His term officially expired in February, yet he remains in office amid questions about the legality of his continued presence. The fate of scheduled elections in December remains uncertain.

"All five regimes, not just Guinea-Bissau, are grappling with major institutional problems and breaches of the rule of law," Ferreira says. "But that doesn't bother Trump. He wants to demonstrate he still has allies in Africa. For the five presidents, this event is a chance to present themselves as important and legitimate leaders internationally. And in fact, from their perspective, it greatly elevates their standing."

Gabon's current president, Brice Oligui Nguema, has faced serious corruption allegations and is linked to the recent coup that ousted Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Liberia faces severe social challenges. Joseph Boakai has been president since January 2024. Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, a general and politician, has been in office since August 2019, but the country faces serious social problems.

Senegal, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye since 2024, confronts accusations of facilitating illegal international migration. Guinea-Bissau remains embroiled in institutional crises, with civil society groups accusing Umaro Sissoco Embalo of dismantling democratic structures and aiming to establish a dictatorship. His legitimacy is seen as derived not from the people but through international endorsements, such as the Washington meeting.