US-Africa plan has promise but will not displace China

Subject

Outlook for Washington's Prosper Africa initiative.

Significance

Six months on from the unveiling of its new Africa policy, the Trump administration’s signature new initiative -- Prosper Africa -- has finally been revealed. Prosper Africa intensifies Washington’s prioritisation of trade over aid and will attempt to double two-way trade and investment by 2025.

Impacts

• Limited engagement by senior administration officials may hinder implementation and legitimisation.
• Washington will focus on new bilateral free trade agreements, though the wider African Growth and Opportunity Act should remain in place.
• Washington’s political engagement with Africa will remain relatively limited.