Proponents of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) describe it as a project aimed at making the federal government smaller and more efficient through reduced spending and a downsized workforce.
Yet DOGE cuts have undermined essential public services and weakened infrastructure, education, and health care systems in the U.S. These reductions also hinder international aid and cooperation efforts, diminishing global stability and America’s influence abroad.
In his first term, on January 11, 2018, President Donald J. Trump, during a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators, referred to African nations and Haiti as “s—hole countries.”
Moreover, in March, South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, was declared “persona non grata” by Trump and ordered to leave the country. His crime? Comments he made during a webinar, which included his statement that the Make America Great Again movement was partially a response to a “supremacist instinct.”
Therefore, given the disdain shown for a continent of approximately 1.515 billion Africans, it is no surprise that DOGE cuts are having a devastating impact across Africa, just as they are on American soil.
The stoppage of Power Africa–part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which the Trump administration also dismantled–illustrates how the White House, by aggressively cutting foreign aid, might be undermining some of its priorities.
The dismantling of Power Africa, which may be resurrected in another format, has already forced many African government and public sector officials to question the reliability of the United States and has hindered urgently needed energy projects across Africa.
Additionally, cuts to USAID are having a dire impact on African nations, potentially leading to increased deaths from preventable diseases, rising poverty levels, and a decline in vital programs such as HIV/AIDS treatment and food security.
These programs funded by USAID are crucial for combating epidemics, improving health outcomes, and promoting economic development in the region.
Despite these cuts, Africa’s future still depends on its abundant natural resources, a youthful and growing population, and a vibrant spirit of entrepreneurship.
Moreover, this presents an opportunity for African nations to prioritize their development strategies, invest in their resources, and pursue economic and political solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.
The dismantling of USAID and Power Africa should not stop Africa from growing and thriving.
We all have it in our power to support efforts on the continent. Through partnerships, investments, and keeping up-to-date on business and economic improvement opportunities, we can promote overall prosperity in Africa and further showcase its value as a global power.