The Constituency for Africa (CFA), a leading voice in shaping U.S.-Africa relations, has released a comprehensive position paper calling for a transformative approach to U.S. policy toward Africa, emphasizing the pivotal role of the African diaspora in driving development across various sectors, including trade, health, housing, education, and youth empowerment.
Authored by Nassim Ashford and Macire Aribot Ashford under the leadership of CFA President Melvin P. Foote and Chair Jeannine B. Scott, the paper outlines strategic recommendations to strengthen bilateral ties amid global competition and shifting domestic policies.
Founded in 1990, CFA has long championed the inclusion of African-American and African-descended professionals in shaping U.S.-Africa policy. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the paper underscores the urgency of leveraging the diaspora’s cultural and professional networks to foster equitable partnerships.
As the U.S. navigates a polarized political landscape and debates over the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and immigration reform, the CFA warns that without a coordinated strategy, the U.S. risks losing ground to competitors like China and Russia, who are expanding their influence in Africa’s critical minerals, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
Trade and Investment: Building Economic Bridges
The paper highlights Africa’s vast resources—gold, cobalt, and lithium—and the need for U.S. policies to secure access while promoting mutual growth. With AGOA’s reauthorization under discussion, CFA urges its expansion to include digital services and green technology, alongside a Minority-Small Business Partnerships Platform to engage diaspora-led businesses.
Recommendations include scaling up financing through the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank, offering tax incentives, and supporting infrastructure projects, such as the Lobito Corridor, to bolster supply chains critical for U.S. industries. These steps aim to counter the growing presence of global competitors and position the U.S. as Africa’s preferred trade partner.
Health: Strengthening Systems for Global Security
The paper argues that Africa’s healthcare challenges, including a severe shortage of medical personnel and infrastructure, demand urgent U.S. investment. With 60% of Africa’s population under 25, targeted support for workforce training in health informatics, telehealth, and pharmaceutical sciences could help address gaps while creating job opportunities. CFA calls for partnerships between U.S. and African institutions to boost innovation and local drug manufacturing, citing the $4.2 billion already invested since 2016. Such efforts would enhance global health security, reduce pandemic risks, and open markets for U.S. pharmaceutical companies.
Housing: Addressing a $20 Trillion Opportunity
According to the CFA, Sub-Saharan Africa’s 51 million-unit housing deficit presents a $20 trillion economic opportunity. The paper advocates for a U.S.-Africa Housing Investment Fund, loan guarantees for U.S. construction firms, and diaspora-led financing to support the development of affordable housing in Africa. With urban populations surging, investments in resilient infrastructure and sustainable materials could drive growth, reduce poverty, and stabilize communities, particularly for displaced populations. The 2025 South African G20 presidency is key to aligning these efforts with global development goals.
Education: Empowering a Global Workforce
Education is framed as a cornerstone for economic mobility and U.S.-Africa trade. CFA recommends expanding STEM programs, teacher training, and access for girls and students from conflict zones. Partnerships between U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African institutions, alongside vocational training in construction and technology, could equip Africa’s youth for a competitive workforce. With 65% of the world’s arable land and vast mineral reserves, an educated African population could transform global markets.
Youth: Investing in the Future
Africa’s youth, comprising over 60% of its 1.4 billion people, are central to the paper’s vision. With youth unemployment at 14%, CFA proposes expanding programs like the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) to include mentorship, digital skills training, and entrepreneurship support. U.S.-Africa trade hubs and university partnerships could connect young entrepreneurs to American businesses, fostering innovation in agribusiness and renewable energy sectors.
As the 2025 U.S.-Africa Summit and G20 approach, CFA’s paper calls for a unified diaspora voice to advocate for policies that promote shared prosperity, positioning the U.S. as a strategic partner in Africa’s rise.
