A new tone is emerging in U.S.–Africa relations, and it is shifting from aid to investment. That was the central message at the 17th U.S.–Africa Business Summit, held in Luanda from June 22 to 25, 2025.
More than 1,500 delegates, including African heads of state, U.S. government officials, CEOs, and investors, gathered to explore how deeper trade ties and private sector partnerships can shape the continent’s future.
Held under the theme “Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for U.S.–Africa Partnership”, the summit reflected a growing understanding that Africa’s growth story cannot be built on aid alone. Instead, leaders from both sides pushed for a long-term shift toward business-led development, infrastructure cooperation, and innovation investment.
Energy and transport infrastructure were key priorities, especially the Lobito Corridor project, which aims to link Angola’s ports to the mineral-rich regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. American firms like Chevron, Google, Mastercard, and USTDA joined African ministers in spotlighting new commercial opportunities across transport, energy, agriculture, and digital technology.
One of the clearest messages came from Angola’s President João Lourenço and African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who called for an end to what they described as “the logic of aid.” Instead, they advocated for investment-backed partnerships, with fairer access to trade, less red tape, and policy reforms like extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, added weight to that call, saying, “Africa does not need charity, it needs capital.” He urged the U.S. to reduce visa barriers, ease tariffs, and support African markets through structured investment policies that support job creation and infrastructure development.
The summit was not just about speeches. It delivered several actionable outcomes, including three new memoranda of understanding covering grain terminal infrastructure, cross-border energy collaboration, and new power agreements between Angola and the DRC. These deals show a move toward execution-focused engagement, not just diplomatic dialogue.
Still, some participants used the platform to challenge U.S. policy contradictions. Recent travel restrictions and tariff hikes were cited by several African leaders as signals that the U.S. must go further in matching its words with its policies. For many in the room, the path forward must be built on reciprocal trade, not donor dependence.
What this means for African markets is clear. U.S. institutions are now looking for bankable projects, reliable partners, and stable frameworks to support long-term trade and capital flow. For African governments and businesses, the opportunity lies in presenting investable ideas, improving regulatory clarity, and building local capacity to absorb capital with impact.
The summit in Luanda sent a message: Africa is open for business, and the U.S. is finally ready to take a seat at the table, not as a donor, but as a commercial partner.
