Africa Calls for U.S. to Forge a Future of Fair Trade and Opportunity

Leaders call for fair trade and partnerships to unlock continent’s potential

At the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, African leaders delivered a powerful message: the era of aid must end, and the U.S. must embrace investment-driven partnerships. Angolan President João Lourenço urged American companies to move beyond oil and minerals, investing in sectors like automotive, tourism, and steel to fuel Africa’s growth. “It’s time to replace aid with investment and trade,” he declared, speaking to over 2,000 leaders.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, African Union Commission Chairperson, echoed this, demanding the removal of high U.S. tariffs and visa restrictions that stifle Africa’s 1.3 billion-strong market. “We’re not asking for handouts but co-created solutions,” he said. African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina stressed, “More trade, not less, is what Africa needs.” He pointed to the Lobito Corridor, a railway linking Angola to Zambia and the DRC, as a shining example of strategic investment, backed by $1.5 billion from the African Development Bank.

Wamkele Mene, AfCFTA Secretary General, highlighted the trade area’s role in scaling investment and reducing fragmentation. U.S. official Troy Fitrell acknowledged the need to connect American businesses with Africa’s opportunities, saying, “Our mission is to bring them in.” This summit isn’t just talk—it’s a call to action. Africa, brimming with potential, deserves partnerships that prioritize people, progress, and prosperity over outdated aid models. The U.S. must act boldly to build a shared future.