Africa knows who its true friends are – and they’re not in Washington

A recent gaffe at the Aids 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, where a US State Department presentation misidentified African nations on a map, serves as a potent symbol of the disconnect between Washington's stated intentions and its actual engagement with the continent. This embarrassment highlights a broader pattern of perceived distance, chaos, and transactional dealings in U.S.-Africa relations.

Despite pronouncements earlier this year by senior US officials about "resetting" relations and fostering "mutually beneficial partnerships," American policies often appear contradictory. While criticizing China's "debt traps," the U.S. itself employs punitive tariffs, restrictive visa policies, and selective interventions. This approach frequently prioritizes strategic interests over genuine partnership, as seen in feuds with regional powers like South Africa, interference in domestic affairs, or silence on humanitarian crises.

This pattern echoes historical U.S. foreign policy, particularly during the Cold War, when support for regimes was often dictated by narrow geopolitical considerations rather than the aspirations of African citizens. This legacy, critics argue, continues to influence current U.S. engagement.

In stark contrast, China's approach is increasingly visible through tangible infrastructure projects, roads, railways, ports, and telecommunications, that are reshaping African economies. Beyond infrastructure, Beijing has provided direct benefits, such as high-yield rice strains to farmers in Nigeria and rapid medical aid to contain Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This visible impact and consistent engagement are leading many in Africa to perceive China as a more reliable partner than the United States.