United States President Donald Trump’s Africa team is rapidly taking shape, with key appointments and nominations for positions focusing on the continent. This expedited process reflects a significant shift from Trump’s first term, during which many critical Africa-related roles in the State Department remained unfilled for years, and the White House experienced frequent turnover in its top Africa-focused positions.
This time, the administration appears intent on signaling a more structured and proactive approach to its Africa policy. The team’s composition is expected to influence U.S. engagement on issues ranging from security and counterterrorism to trade and diplomacy.
Who are the top picks poised to shape U.S. policy toward Africa in this administration?
Peter Pham
Peter Pham, known for his expertise on Africa and prior roles in the Great Lakes and Sahel regions, with a deep understanding of U.S.-Africa relations is President Donald Trump’s top pick for the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
One of Pham’s key focus areas is the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). He has argued that AGOA should align with U.S. national security and foreign policy priorities.
This stance could impact several African nations, particularly South Africa, which Pham said in his essay “Africa in the Second Trump Administration” will be “punished” for its “closeness to Russia, China, and Iran, and its role in leading the ‘genocide’ case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. His job will also include balancing relations with Washington’s rivals—such as Iran, China, and Russia—against critical issues like their stance on Israel.
However, Pham may encounter challenges when joining the new administration. During Trump’s first term, his nomination was blocked by the Senate due to a policy dispute over Western Sahara. However, the senator who previously opposed his confirmation has since retired, potentially easing the path for his approval.
If confirmed, Pham’s tenure could signal a more confrontational U.S. approach toward Pretoria. South Africa, a key member of BRICS, has not only maintained strong ties with China and Russia but also taken legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide. However, any adversarial moves by Washington would need to be measured, as they risk pushing Pretoria further into alignment with Eastern powers.
Tibor Nagy
Tibor Nagy, who previously served as Assistant Secretary for African Affairs during Trump’s first term, is rejoining the State Department. He will bring decades of experience in U.S.-Africa relations to his new Acting Undersecretary for Management role. Nagy has already announced on Thursday that he will return to the State Department in a temporary capacity, focusing on areas “beyond just Africa.”
Rudy Atallah
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Rudy Atallah, who has extensive Africa-related experience at the Pentagon, is set to become deputy to the incoming White House counterterrorism chief, Sebastian Gorka.
Maureen Farrell
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs advises the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs on matters of policy and security in Africa. The role is currently held by Maureen Farrell.
Joe Foltz
Joe Foltz is among the leading contenders for the role of Africa director on the National Security Council (NSC). Currently serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Africa Subcommittee, Foltz has also held senior positions at USAID and served on the NSC during Trump’s first term.
The NSC’s Africa Desk is pivotal in shaping U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities on the continent. Key issues likely to dominate include the recognition of Western Sahara and Somaliland, as well as the strategic use of sanctions to achieve diplomatic objectives.
However, Foltz’s nomination to the new administration may face obstacles. While he served during President Trump’s first term, some Republicans have voiced concerns about his prior work under two Democratic administrations.
Michael E. Langley
The current head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), headquartered in Germany, is Gen. Michael E. Langley, who assumed the role in August 2022. AFRICOM oversees U.S. military operations across Africa and has been active on various fronts. On Christmas Eve, shortly after Trump’s election, AFRICOM announced a drone strike in Somalia targeting Al-Shabaab militants, resulting in the death of a senior commander.
The Biden administration reversed Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Somalia, deploying several hundred in advisory roles. However, some policy hawks in the new administration believe Trump may revert to his original stance and withdraw these troops again.
Lai Mohammed
Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s former minister of information and communication and a team member of world-renowned lobby group, Ballard Partners might be playing a role as the Bola Tinubu-led administration seeks to build relations with President Donald Trump.
Ballard Partners has deep ties to Trump’s administration, and its network includes former key Trump allies like Susie Wiles and Pam Bondi. Their strategic position within the incoming administration could open crucial doors for Nigeria, especially as the U.S. under Trump often prioritizes business interests. As Ballard Partners resurgences in Washington in Trump’s second term, Mohammed’s ability to leverage these connections could be instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the US on the international stage.
Massad Boulous
Massad Boulos, a Lebanese businessman who has been named as Donald Trump’s incoming Middle East adviser would be a key player in solidifying Trump’s relationship with the Middle. East and Africa.
Boulos is the CEO of SCOA Nigeria PLC, a truck dealership in Nigeria, which made a modest profit of under $66,000 last year, according to corporate filings. The company is valued at approximately $865,000, with Boulos’s stake worth just $1.53, according to securities records. However, closer scrutiny of Boulos’s background raises questions about his wealth. Despite reports calling him a billionaire, there is no indication that Boulos’s business ventures have brought him wealth. Trump has called Boulos a “highly respected leader” and a “dealmaker,” further fueling this image.
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