The U.S. Must Ask: How Can We Align Our Strengths With Africa’s Aspirations? And Not How Can We Compete For Control?

Africa is not just rising, it is repositioning. With strategic assets in critical minerals, a dynamic tech landscape, and the world's most youthful population, the continent commands attention not just as a market, but as a movement.

The recent White House summit, a significant event that featured Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Gabon, as well as the previous week's peace agreement brokered by the United States between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Washington, with the presence of President Donald Trump. The peace accord includes provisions for regional economic integration and U.S. investment in critical minerals, functioning as a trade and investment framework. The summit and the peace deal reflect a strategic pivot in U.S. policy from aid to trade with a focus on resource access, migration cooperation, and countering Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. While the summit featured five African countries, it did not include major regional powers like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, which raises concerns about inclusivity and strategic intent. However, it is a milestone and a necessary step forward for Africans to leverage their resources, talents, and youth to reposition themselves as a strategic ally.

Given that many African countries are seeking investors and assistance in developing their infrastructure and resources, and China's significant presence and investment over several years, the United States' current efforts to play catch-up highlight the importance of these partnerships for all the countries involved.

In my view, as it pertains to the United States, turning engagement into a true partnership requires more than competing with China or leveraging the need for African countries to accept immigrants; it necessitates Africans recognizing both Africa's strengths and its challenges, as well as for the U.S. to identify how the U.S. can serve as a strategic ally, rather than a paternalistic overseer. Such partnerships can lead to mutual economic growth, technological advancement, and social development. Such a partnership can lead to mutual economic growth, technological advancement, and social development.

• True partnership demands respect for African agency, not transactional deals designed to counter China or pressure migration compliance. Respect is the cornerstone of any successful collaboration, and the US-Africa relationship must thrive.

  
  

• Infrastructure and investment must reflect local priorities, not just global resource demands.

  
  

• The U.S. must ask: How can we align our strengths with Africa's aspirations? And not how can we compete for control?

  
  

• Africa's Leverage is defined not by extraction but by innovation, youth-driven dynamism, and self-led initiatives, such as Sheba Valley and AUDA-NEPAD.

  
  

Africa has Leverage, although not absolute, but it is emerging, conditional, and holds great promise.

Africa's Leverage, a term I use to describe the continent's unique strengths and advantages, lies in its people, potential, and positioning. However, to fully realize this potential, strategic support is crucial to unlocking its systemic power: Youth, Resources, and Ambition.

Africa is home to:

• Resource Leverage: Over 60% of the world's cobalt reserves are located in African soil, underpinning the global transition to clean energy and digital infrastructure (Khumalo, 2025).

  
  

• Tech Momentum: Cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town are not only startup hotbeds with a growing tech ecosystem and developing vibrant startup scenes, but they are also prototypes for locally driven innovation with global implications.

  
  

• Demographic Power: By 2030, it is projected that one in three young people globally will be African, making the continent the epicenter of future labor, culture, creativity, markets, and innovation (UNCTAD, 2024).

  
  

This necessitated reflecting on partnership. Because African Leverage is not passive, but conditional, emerging, and potent, a genuine collaboration will mean moving beyond debates on resource extraction and youth migration towards collaborative innovation, infrastructure co-development, and respect for African agency.

The question is not whether Africa will shape the global future; it is whether global power will recognize the value of being shaped with it. However, many regions in Africa are still struggling with this issue for now. Here are some of the changes:

• Infrastructure gaps: Limited infrastructure and inconsistent access to electricity and broadband limit scalable innovation.

  
  

• Youth Unemployment: Youth unemployment rates vary significantly by country, reaching over 40% in certain regions, which undermines Africa's demographic dividend.

  
  

• Capital Scarcity: Startups struggling to scale up due to a lack of access to consistent Capital.

  
  

Africa's Leverage lies in its people, potential, and positioning. However, to fully realize this potential, strategic support is crucial to unlocking its systemic power.

U.S. Leverage: Capital, Technology, and Policy Reach

The United States brings complementary strengths:

• Access to global Capital and venture ecosystems that can accelerate African innovation.

  
  

• Advanced technology infrastructure, from satellite connectivity to educational platforms.

  
  

• Policy influence can shape trade agreements, diplomatic frameworks, and standards for sustainability and equity.

  
  

To fully benefit from these assets, the U.S. must transition from a paternalistic and extractive approach to one of co-creation, from investment aid to mutual benefit, and from oversight to respect.

Positioning for Impact - Where Partnership Meets Progress

Genuine partnership means leveraging what each side brings:

• Although Africa's Leverage is not absolute, it is emergent, conditional, and full of promise.

  
  

• Africa offers a wealth of natural resources, a booming youth population, cultural insights, and significant market demand.

  
  

• The U.S. contributes financing, technological maturity, policy tools, and diaspora connections.

  
  

• Unlocking systemic power requires strategic support, not clarity, but co-investment, policy alignment, and respect for local ownership.

  
  

Building Global Futures Through Co-Creation

Africa is not merely a continent of need; it is a continent of ideas, youthful energy, and unrealized power. To turn promises into progress, true partnership must move beyond presence and policy into shared purpose. Together, the U.S. and African countries can co-create:

• STEAM-Powered Solution: STEAM-driven solutions that tackle climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and equitable healthcare, with innovation rooted in local knowledge and global science.

  
  

• Trade Framework: Celebrate trade models that celebrate local production, protect intellectual property, and shift the value chain toward continental prosperity.

  
  

• Educational exchanges: Foster educational exchanges that cultivate capacity while nurturing shared values, particularly in technical fields, policy leadership, and cultural narratives.

  
  

Partnerships that are generative, fortified with reciprocal alliance founded on the one that treats Africa as a force rather than a frontier, will result in excellent outcomes.

Africa's Readiness is Not Theoretical

Africa's Leverage is not an aspiration, but an operational reality, demonstrated in real-time through visionary leaders and homegrown initiatives. Africa is leading in real-time:

• Sheba Valley: The Sheba Valley in Ethiopia is emerging as a powerhouse for fintech platforms, AI, and infrastructure innovation solutions, originating from Addis Ababa, and defying outdated narratives.

• Startups like Gebeya, Zayride, and Icog-Labs are redefining what African-led innovation looks like, building products that meet local needs with global relevance and impact.

  
  

• Andela, founded in Nigeria, has become a global leader in remote tech talent. It identifies, trains, and connects Africa's top software engineers with companies worldwide, demonstrating that African developers are not only competitive but also exceptional. This proves that excellence is cultivated, not imported.

  
  

• The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), through its initiatives such as Agenda 2063, Smart Africa, and AFR100, is aligning policies, investments, and sustainability across the continent, driving continental transformation and supporting initiatives in infrastructure, education, and the digital economy.

  
  

These efforts are not hopeful gestures. They are an example of what happens when African initiatives align with strategic objectives. It shows Africa leading on its terms, which underscores why equitable partnership is not a courtesy. It is a necessity. Equitable partnerships are no longer optional. It is the price of relevance.

Africa's Readiness is Real, and It is Leading on Its Terms

Africa's readiness is not theoretical; it is operational, visible, and visionary. For example, let us consider three of many initiatives that African countries are leading:

• Leadership: The presidents of Rwanda, Ghana, and Burkina Faso are championing innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive governance.

  
  

• Smar Africa Alliance: Over 30 member states are co-creating Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) policy reform, infrastructure, and a unified digital market to drive sustainable development.

  
  

• Ghana Year of Return: A cultural and economic renaissance that inspired a global cultural and economic movement, inviting African diasporans to reconnect, invest, and innovate. This initiative led to increased tourism, entrepreneurship, and bilateral visibility, attracting over 750,000 visitors and generating $1.9 billion in revenue.

  
  

These initiatives prove that Africa is not waiting to be invited, but they demonstrate that Africa is already hosting the future. These efforts demonstrate Africa leading on its terms and underscore why equitable partnership is not a courtesy but a necessity. It is a necessity.

The urgency of this approach cannot be overstated, as it is crucial to unlocking Africa's full potential and ensuring mutual benefits.

The Diaspora as a Bridge

In addition, as a Nigerian American, I see the diaspora as not just emotional connectors, but strategic partners in shaping global outcomes:

• We understand both worlds.

  
  

• We carry heritage and innovation in tandem.

  
  

• We can translate opportunities into shared prosperity.

  
  

Diaspora entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives can help build ventures that honor African ingenuity while aligning with global systems and values.

STEAM Is the Common Ground

My work in education focuses on promoting equity through the use of immersive technology and the STEAM approach. Here is what partnership looks like on the ground:

• VR-powered classrooms across Ghana and Mississippi, reimagining science education.

  
  

• Dual-continent mentorship programs pairing African youth with diaspora engineers.

  
  

• Storytelling platforms that amplify African excellence across industries.

  
  

STEAM is not just about skills; it is about self-determination and systems building.

A Final Charge: Shared Power Requires Shared Purpose

Recent U.S. leadership has signaled a pragmatic interest, but a partnership only thrives when both sides understand their value and respect each other. Africa knows its worth. The U.S. must be prepared to meet it, not with dominance, but with dignity.

Let us be practical: Africa has some leverage, and so does the U.S. Both parties could benefit from the intersection in the global economy and shifting dynamics.

But together? The African, with the right partnership built on a shared vision and respect, can achieve far more powerful outcomes than alone.

Authored by Dr. Ayo Olufade

"Embrace every challenge as an invitation to uncover your true potential. In the world of STEAM, curiosity isn't just a tool; it's the spark that ignites innovation, while passion carves the path to lasting impact. Your journey isn't just about mastering knowledge; it's about using your unique talents to illuminate the way for others. Dare to dream big, work with unwavering dedication, and let your light shine brilliantly." Choose STEAM Careers: Shape the Future, Design Your Destiny! ~ Dr. Ayo Olufade, PhD

References (APA Style)

• Khumalo, E. (2025, May 5). Africa at the Heart of the Global Minerals Race: US–China Rivalry Reshapes Development Models. FurtherAfrica. https://furtherafrica.com/2025/05/05/africa-at-the-heart-of-the-global-minerals-race-us-china-rivalry-reshapes-development-models/

• Ngutjinazo, O. (2024, June 9). Africa sees rise in e-commerce, digital marketplace. Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/africa-sees-rise-in-e-commerce-digital-marketplace/a-69290581

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2024, June 5). Critical minerals: Africa holds key to sustainable energy future. UNCTAD. https://unctad.org/news/critical-minerals-africa-holds-key-sustainable-energy-future