“Trump highly values Africa and African people,” says new US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos
On the 1st of April 2025, the US Department of State announced the appointment of Massad Boulos as Senior Advisor for Africa. Mr Boulos also serves as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs since December 2024. Mr Boulos brings business acumen and experience on the ground in Africa which are highly valued by the State Department.
Mr Boulos is of Lebanese descent and is married to Donald Trump’s daughter, Tiffany. As the the son-in-law of Trump, he has the ear of the President Trump who entrusts him with important matters. Mr Boulos has business interests in Africa, including a Nigeria-based company which distributes motor vehicles and equipment across West Africa.
Soon after taking office, Senior Advisor Massad Boulos and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda as from the 3rd of April 2025.
The objective of the overseas mission is to advance efforts for a durable peace in DRC and to promote US private sector investment in the region. The trip also occurs right before the US-Africa Business Summit (#UABS) which is scheduled to take place in Angola this June 2025 and will serve to drum up support for the event.
The significance of Africa in the global supply chain (#GSC) of Critical Minerals can be illustrated by the Bisie tin mine in DRC, owned by Alphamin. Global tin price first rose sharply by 30% upon the announcement of the closure of Bisie mine. Then, the price dropped considerably upon announcement of its reopening. Alphamin (TSX: AFM) is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is registered in the Mauritius International Financial Center (#IFC).
In Kinshasa, the US delegation discussed a deal on #CriticalMinerals with President Felix Tshisekedi. However, to gain secure access to these minerals, it is important to push for peace in DRC. Following the talks, M23 pulled back from the town of Walikale and the move represents an important confidence building measure which could pave the way toward lasting peace.
It is worth highlighting that several US firms have expressed interest in the mining sector in DRC and Zambia as well as the #LobitoCorridor. It is hoped that the upcoming US-Africa Business Summit 2025 (#UABS2025) will lead to some key deals along the economic corridor.
Mr Boulos underlined that Africa remains important for the Trump administration despite cuts to USAID and diplomatic presence in Africa. “He [Trump] highly values Africa and African people,” Boulos stated.