The Trump Administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) frames the world in hemispherical blocs. The strategy positions the United States (US) as the master and protector of a new Western hemisphere, which geographically encompass both North and South America. It seeks to deny any rival a foothold within this region and positions the Indio-Pacific as its main arena of strategic competition. Europe is seen as an ally, but one that needs to be influenced to align with US conservative values. The Middle East and Africa are framed as regions that need to be managed transactionally to secure their resources for the Western hemisphere, and to counter the influence of its rivals.
Most analysts agree that the NSS is a frank and accurate reflection of how the Trump Administration views the world. While the US remains the single most powerful state, it can no longer unilaterally determine the global order. The international system has become multipolar and, in response, the NSS signals that the US will retreat to its corner, and engage with the rest of the world in a largely transactional manner on its terms and in its interest.
While this US shift is likely to prompt some states to adopt similarly defensive postures, the recently concluded G20 Summit in South Africa serves as a reminder that the majority of states continue to believe in, and actively work to promote and defend global governance and multilateral cooperation. They recognise the need for collective responses to common challenges such as climate change, as well as for the joint management of global systems, such as the global economy and international financial architecture. There is also an imperative to develop, adapt and oversee the rules governing global diplomacy and trade, as to cooperate in areas like the governance of the Internet and Artificial Intelligence.
The Western Hemisphere includes countries like Canada and Mexico, and many others in the Americas, that do not share the same vision for the region as the Trump Administration. The point is that the NSS and Trump’s actions are only part of a larger picture that is still emerging and evolving.
Africa must position itself strategically in this rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. African countries cannot engage effectively in this space only as individual actors. There are certain policy domains that Africa needs to engage with as a continent or hemispherical bloc. This requires the development of the capacity to act collectively and strategically. Without such an approach, Africa risks becoming increasingly marginalised, fragmented and absorbed by others.
The reality is that in geo-political terms Africa’s contribution to the world economy remains relatively limited, and this, as the NSS demonstrates, translates into weak global influence. Africa can, however, collectively generate leverage in a number of areas, if it is able to develop the capacity to act together.
With 54 member states Africa represents a large bloc of votes in multilateral fora. When Africa partners with others, it can become very influential. This is why some actors seek to divide Africa, while others will try to weaken multilateralism. Africa needs a global engagement strategy that fosters African unity, builds strong relations with partners, and protects the multilateral system.
With 54 member states Africa represents a large bloc of votes in multilateral fora. When Africa partners with others, it can become very influential. This is why some actors seek to divide Africa, while others will try to weaken multilateralism.
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Africa is home to many of the resources, including critical minerals, which the rest of the world needs. It also has many other assets, most importantly its people, which give Africa the potential to become the industrial core of the world economy, if this potential can be realised over the coming decades. Africa needs a global engagement strategy that ensures that its critical minerals and other resources are used to develop its people, infrastructure and economies.
How can we develop the capacity to act collectively? How can such an African global engagement policy and geopolitical strategy be developed? Africa’s Agenda 2063 has already foreseen the need and laid the foundation. Aspiration 7 expresses the vision that African states should act together in global governance, diplomacy, peace and security, economic negotiations, and international partnerships. What is currently lacking is the means to operationalise this vision.
The Assembly of African Heads of State and Government could adopt and annually review an African geopolitical strategy and engagement policy. Such a strategy and policy could be prepared and developed through meetings of African foreign ministers. The African Union (AU) Commission could then be mandated to implement the policy. In addition to the role of the Chairperson, the Assembly could create a new position, similar to that of the European Union (EU) High Representative, who would represent the AU in global forums such as the G20, and assume day-to-day responsibility for implementing the strategy and policy. This could include directing the AU’s observer missions to the United Nations (UN), EU and other bodies, as well as its liaison offices in Washington D.C., Beijing and elsewhere. Such a position would also be responsible, together with the relevant technical departments, for implementing Africa’s common African positions on a wide range of topics where such positions have been developed, as well as suggest and lead the development and adoption of others.
The Assembly of African Heads of State and Government could adopt and annually review an African geopolitical strategy and engagement policy. Such a strategy and policy could be prepared and developed through meetings of African foreign ministers
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The foundations for an African geopolitical strategy and global engagement policy already exist in Agenda 2063 and other policy frameworks. The AU already has offices at the UN and EU and in Beijing, Washington D.C. and elsewhere. The AU also has observer status at the UN and EU and is a member for the G20. The basics are thus already in position, but what is lacking is an overarching strategy and specific policy to coherently direct these capabilities to position Africa more effectively in the global arena, so that Africa can shape its own narrative, influence the emergence of new global order and engage meaningfully, and in its own interests, with its global partners. One or more member states should now take the first step and propose, at the next meeting of the AU Assembly, that the development of such a strategy should be formally mandated.
Cedric de Coning is senior advisor to ACCORD and a research professor with the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).
