While the Trump administration has taken a hard line toward Africa through aid cuts, travel bans, and pressure on governments like South Africa, it has also generated more investor excitement in Washington than we've seen in years. Donald Trump's new transactional foreign policy for the continent is prompting newfound enthusiasm from U.S. mining, oil, and security companies.

But translating that enthusiasm into actual engagement won't be easy. The majority of U.S. companies taking the first steps into the continent's critical minerals sector, for example, are small, inexperienced, and lag far behind their Chinese competitors.

Maureen Farrell, a non-resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council, is in the midst of co-writing a six-part series of recommendations for U.S. policymakers to bolster U.S. security and economic engagement in Africa. Maureen joins Eric & Géraud to explain why Guinea, Libya, and Mozambique are of particular interest.

📌 Topics Covered in this Episode

U.S.-China competition in Africa
Critical minerals and supply chains
Guinea mining opportunities
Libya geopolitics and energy
Mozambique LNG and security risks
Challenges facing US companies

Show Notes:

The Atlantic Council: In Guinea, the US has a rare opportunity to gain an edge over China by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell
The Atlantic Council: The US is reengaging with Libya—and it's the right call by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell
The Atlantic Council: In Mozambique, US economic priorities hinge on security investments by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell

Join the Discussion:

X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth

Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social

Follow CGSP in French and Spanish:

French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

Join us on Patreon!
Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

View From Washington: What the US Needs to Do to Re-Engage Africa

The China in Africa Podcast