Former US President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted the Presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House, where discussions focused on building business partnerships to harness Africa’s rich natural resources.
During a lunch at the State Dining Room, Trump described the visiting nations as coming from “very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people.”
“There’s a lot of anger on your continent. We’ve been able to solve a lot of it,” Trump added, referencing a recent peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda brokered at the White House.
Trump also suggested that the five African countries present were unlikely to face US tariffs, signaling openness to deeper economic cooperation.
Leaders Push for Win-Win Partnerships
Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema highlighted his nation’s goal to locally process raw mineral resources, stressing the need for foreign investment.
“We are not poor countries. We are rich in raw materials. But we need partners to help us develop those resources through win-win partnerships,” Nguema said.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye showcased his country’s tourism potential, proposing the development of a golf course just a six-hour flight from New York and humorously inviting Trump to visit and “show off his skills.”
The meeting also touched on regional challenges, including migration and drug trafficking, especially relevant to Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau, which have been identified as transit and origin points.
US to Announce Broader Africa Summit
Trump is expected to announce the dates for a broader summit with African leaders, potentially to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly in September. The mini-summit is part of ongoing efforts by Washington to counter growing Chinese economic influence on the continent.
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced it would provide funding for project development at the Banio Potash Mine in Mayumba, Gabon. The move aims to help Gabon cut down on imports and build domestic processing capacity.
“DFC’s efforts not only benefit the countries and communities where they invest but also advance US economic interests by opening new markets, strengthening trade relationships, and promoting a more secure and prosperous global economy,” said Conor Coleman, DFC’s head of investments.
While the five nations represent only a small share of overall US-Africa trade, they hold significant untapped natural resource potential — positioning them as emerging strategic partners in the evolving global economic landscape.
