The U.S. - Africa Outlook: Geopolitics, Capital, and Strategic Engagement in 2026

Description

Amid intensifying global geopolitical competition and economic realignment, US - Africa relations, and the continent’s importance to Washington’s foreign policy and American investment is becoming a key focus. This is underlined by the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS), which calls for a “transition from an aid-focused relationship with Africa to a trade- and investment-focused relationship”, highlighting opportunities in strategically vital sectors such as energy and critical minerals development. As capital increasingly aligns with strategic priorities, join Invest Africa for a timely webinar, convening leading experts to examine the key drivers behind Washington’s evolving approach to the continent, and the implications of a shifting world order for trade, investment, and commercial opportunity across Africa.Featuring Aubrey Hruby, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and Co-Founder of Tofino Capital, Bethany Aquilina Brez, Acting Vice President of the Office of Foreign Policy at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Fanta Conde, Partner at CrossBoundary, Scott Eisner, Senior Vice President of BGR Group and Admassu Tadesse, Group President & Managing Director at the Trade & Development Bank, the discussion explored the U.S.–Africa intersection of geopolitics, capital flows, key sectors and opportunities, and private-sector engagement.Our panel offered practical insights on navigating Washington and beyond, helped unpack evolving risk and opportunity, and identified effective strategies for U.S. investors and companies to engage Africa and drive sustainable partnerships for growth and economic development.