US Head of African Affairs Garcia on African Tour to Put Into Action ‘Trade Over Aid’ Policy
On 30 August 2026, Frank Garcia, US State Department Assistant Secretary and Head of African Affairs, started his multi-nation tour of Africa. This time, he will visit Eastern and Southern Africa, following his tour of West Africa last July. His mission is to put into action the new mantra of the Trump Administration of ‘Trade Over Aid’ for Africa.
On 1 September 2026, AS Garcia attended the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony in Lusaka of Hakainde Hichilema, who was recently re-elected. Zambia holds strategic importance to the USA for its #CriticalMinerals. US firms are deeply involved in mining and the upgrading of the #LobitoCorridor. On the sidelines of the ceremony, AS Garcia also met with DRC Senate President Jean-Michel Lukonde.
On 3 September 2026, Garcia met with the African Union Commission Chair, Mahmoud Youssouf, in Addis Ababa. Discussions centered around reinforcing US-Africa partnerships. Peace and security remain a major topic of mutual concern, as the two sides exchanged views on the maritime trade security in the Red Sea, peace in the Horn of Africa region, and the volatile border region between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Garcia reported that the Bureau of African Affairs has been busy coordinating with the US DFC, US EXIM Bank, and other related agencies to set up a cross-departmental task force. In that regard, the US-AU #SIWG has identified a list of projects for partnerships. These include Mozambique’s Nacala Port Expansion and LNG Terminal in Cabo Delgado, Namibia’s Walvis Bay Hydrogen Hub, DRC’s Inga Hydropower Plant, and an #AI data center. All these projects are sanctioned by PIDA with the exception of the data center, which is a frontier technology item.
Ethiopia is building the new #Bishoftu airport and Garcia is pushing for more American involvement in this mega project. Already, Ethiopian Airlines has ordered Boeing jets, but Garcia would like American firms to get at least a piece of the new airport project. Although perhaps not as well known as other countries, Ethiopia is also endowed with strategic mining resources.
US Chief of African Affairs Garcia reiterated the readiness of the USA to support the realization of the AU’s #Agenda2063, particularly by strengthening the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and by facilitating its economic integration through transnational infrastructure under the #AfCFTA.
African Affairs Chief plans to wrap up his visit in Kenya, where he is expected to attend the 5th AmCham Business Summit, which might be upgraded to the US-East Africa Business Summit 2026.