The End of Apathy: The New Africa Policy under Joe Biden

Abstract

The new US president has promised a fundamental change in American foreign policy after the Trump years: "America is back." The start of Joe Biden's presidency in January 2021 is therefore also associated with considerable expectations in sub-Saharan Africa. Four key issues will determine whether the new US administration will really deliver on these expectations. Security policy priorities, especially the fight against spreading Islamist terror, shape US Africa policy. Some of the world region's most authoritarian states are among the US's closest partners in sub-Saharan Africa in this regard. President Biden has promised to make the international promotion of democracy a central priority in the future. If the fight against climate change is really to become a hallmark of the Biden administration, this cannot happen without Africa being onboard. So far, however, the US has continued to support numerous large-scale projects in Africa that rely on fossil fuels. US development cooperation with Africa focuses on fighting diseases such as HIV/AIDS. In light of COVID-19, greater focus on strengthening health systems, vaccination programmes, and overcoming the pandemic would help counterbalance China's "vaccine diplomacy." The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) supports African exports to the US. However, the effect has been limited and US-African trade has fallen far behind that between Africa and China. A fundamental shift in US Africa policy is not to be expected under President Biden. However, there are new opportunities for cooperation in health and overcoming the current COVID-19 pandemic, in climate policy, and in promoting democracy. Given the US focus on geostrategic competition with China, however, expectations should remain realistic.