U.S foreign assistance policies in Africa: from unipolarism to competition

Abstract

The research project analyses the recent U.S. foreign assistance policy in Africa, considering China's growing presence on the continent. The strategic importance of development aid, used as a tool for foreign policy objectives, and the doctrine inspired by “modernization theory” in promoting US assistance in Africa, will be assessed. The main research question will focus on the most recent US initiatives, namely the $55 billion plan and investment strategy in the sub-Saharan area announced at the 2022 US-Africa Summit, and the intent will be to investigate whether these initiatives can be considered as responses to China's increasing involvement in Africa. The study, therefore, will take into account the objectives and results of US policies, sectoral investments, and their geopolitical/economic implications, and it will also be supported by an analysis of the Chinese expansion in Africa in order to have an overview on the implications for US strategies on the continent.