Frank Garcia: 5 questions to understand US top diplomat’s second trip to Africa
During his second Africa trip, Garcia met Hakainde Hichilema at the Zambian President’s second inauguration and Kenyan President William Ruto at the US-East Africa Trade & Investment Forum in Nairobi, but did not meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He advocated for US commercial bids for the Bishoftu International Airport and promised DFC funding, and discussed regional security and health cooperation with DRC Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. The trip had a “business first” feel, with Garcia also engaging on Sudan and regional security.
Why it matters: The trip underscores the administration’s “trade, not aid” approach to Africa, a central theme of the briefing.