From potash deals to migration talks, here’s what Liberia, Gabon, Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau actually walked away with.
When President Donald Trump hosted five African leaders at the White House on July 9, 2025, it wasn’t just another photo op. with an American president. For Liberia, Gabon, Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau, the meeting was a calculated opportunity to secure crucial deals, open doors, and push their national agendas.
While most media coverage fixated on viral moments and awkward exchanges, the real story lies in what each country walked away with and what it could mean for their citizens.
Gabon Secures the Biggest Win
President Brice Oligui Nguema arrived in Washington with a clear pitch: Gabon wants to stop being just a supplier of raw materials and start building a processing-based economy. The pitch landed. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) pledged funding for the Banio Potash Mine in Mayumba, a potentially game-changing deal for the country’s economic direction.
If the project delivers, Gabonese workers could see new industrial jobs, better infrastructure, and a chance to reduce reliance on raw material exports. Trump described Gabon as “very vibrant,” praising its mineral wealth and “wonderful people.” In diplomatic terms, that was an endorsement and a signal of serious interest in the partnership.
Liberia Leans on History and English
President Joseph Boakai tapped into Liberia’s founding story and its long-standing ties with the United States. During the meeting, Trump quipped about Boakai’s fluency in English, asking where he had learned to speak so well. The remark drew criticism online, with some calling it patronising. But Boakai brushed it off and stayed on message highlighting Liberia’s English-speaking advantage, its shared heritage with the U.S., and its potential as a reliable investment destination.
While no specific deals were announced, the meeting laid the groundwork for future investment talks. Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti later emphasised that Boakai was not offended, suggesting the president was focused on his country’s long-term interests, not fleeting controversies.
Senegal Plays It Smart
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took a pragmatic route, raising the sensitive issue of migration while showing openness to American business. His invitation for Trump to build a golf course in Senegal might have seemed lighthearted, but it was a savvy play. It signalled readiness for private investment and an understanding of how to catch Trump’s attention.
Behind the charm, Faye made a serious case. Thousands of Senegalese youths have used the Nicaragua route to reach the U.S. in recent years, a migration crisis that touches families across the country. Any deal to ease legal migration or boost economic opportunities at home could have a direct impact on lives and lower the pressure to emigrate.
Mauritania Navigates a Delicate Path
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani faced perhaps the most complex task. His country is dealing with mass emigration, a fragile economy, and growing interest from global powers in its rare earth minerals including those found offshore. Over 20,000 Mauritanians have risked the dangerous route through Central America since 2023.
Ghazouani made the case that Mauritania’s minerals vital for technologies like batteries and electronics make the country a strategic partner in America’s race with China for critical resources. Though Trump seemed impatient during public remarks, sources suggest the private discussions were substantive.
Talks reportedly also touched on the possible restoration of diplomatic ties between Mauritania and Israel, a move that could unlock investment if handled carefully. But it would also require navigating strong political and religious sensitivities at home.
Guinea-Bissau: Quiet, But Present
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló kept a low profile during the summit, with few public details released about his country’s agenda. Yet his participation was still meaningful. For a small country like Guinea-Bissau, just being at the table with Washington sends a strong diplomatic signal.
The country may not have walked away with immediate deals, but the visibility and access alone could open doors down the road for economic support, security partnerships, or trade discussions.
What This All Means
The July 9 summit marked a shift in how the United States is engaging with parts of Africa. Trump’s “trade not aid” mantra and the sidelining of USAID point to a new model, one based on transactional deals, commercial partnerships, and measurable outcomes.
The selection of just five countries wasn’t random. Each has something the U.S. wants, whether it’s critical minerals, migration cooperation, or symbolic partnerships. For the invited leaders, the challenge now is to translate that attention into results that matter back home.
What Citizens Should Expect
For Gabon, the DFC-backed potash project is the clearest win, bringing potential jobs and industrial development. Liberians may benefit from increased investor interest as follow-up talks take shape. In Senegal and Mauritania, citizens hope for migration reforms and new economic opportunities that reduce the pressure to flee.
For Guinea-Bissau, the value lies in exposure and the chance to strengthen diplomatic channels that have been underutilised.
Ultimately, the test of this summit won’t be in press photos or soundbites. It will be whether new factories open, new jobs are created, and new investments flow into communities that need them most. For these five nations, that’s the only outcome that truly counts.
Let us know what you think; is the visit worth it? Share your thought in the comment.
