From July 9 to 11, five African heads of state are expected in Washington for a closed-door summit with President Donald Trump, focused on economic cooperation and security.
The leaders attending the meeting include Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and Bissau-Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Through this initiative, the U.S. administration aims to strengthen its strategic dialogue with key African partners in a streamlined format that contrasts with traditional multilateral summits. The goal is to foster direct and efficient discussions on high-priority issues in U.S. relations with West and Central African countries.
This meeting aligns with ongoing U.S. efforts to deepen economic ties with the African continent amid rising global competition over strategic resources. Critical minerals—such as cobalt, lithium, and manganese, which some of these countries either produce or support logistically—are expected to be at the center of discussions. The United States seeks to secure stable, long-term access to these materials in a context of global supply chain tensions and geopolitical rivalry, particularly with China.
Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea will also be a key topic, as this area is a crucial node in global shipping and faces persistent threats from piracy and illicit trafficking. Washington intends to step up cooperation with these states to safeguard maritime routes, while also supporting the development of local capacity, including maritime surveillance, equipment, and the training of naval forces. This approach aims to stabilize the region and protect vital commercial flows and offshore oil exports.
The fight against transnational organized crime will also be discussed, particularly with regard to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking, which impact the region and fuel global criminal networks. The U.S. government is looking to strengthen judicial and security cooperation with its African partners to combat these shared threats. This includes plans for joint initiatives to improve border control, information sharing, and anti-money laundering measures tied to cross-border criminal activity.
By hosting these five presidents in Washington, the United States aims to build targeted partnerships with strategically important African nations, promoting a model of equal-footing cooperation that aligns with African aspirations for development and security. The meeting reflects a broader American diplomatic repositioning, favoring operational and thematic dialogues and reinforcing economic partnerships tailored to Africa’s industrialization and job creation priorities.
The discussions could lead to announcements of concrete partnerships in infrastructure investment, renewable energy, and youth training, as part of a pragmatic, results-driven approach.