Programs The Future of U.S foreign assistance in Africa

The Future of U.S foreign assistance in Africa

Join us on Wednesday, March 12th at 12:00 PM for a virtual discussion that examines the potential implications of recently signaled changes to US foreign aid policy on the provision of critical public services in many African countries, and what broader changes to the aid sector can be expected.

Recent policy and funding directives from the US federal government have suggested an intent to adopt a much scaled-back role in the international aid assistance space. This shift was best exemplified by the administration’s decision to pause all US-provided foreign aid with immediate effect, and then subsequently moving to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which facilitated the delivery and monitoring of most of this aid. Concern has grown internationally regarding the long-term viability of the aid sector across the developing world in light of this impending retreat, as the US has historically taken a leading role in both funding and pushing the importance of these vital sources of humanitarian assistance across the world. 

In Africa, reactions to these developments have been mixed. As while even a modest curtailing of foreign aid would cause significant and immediate disruptions to the wellbeing of millions, some see the collapse of this model of assistance as an opportunity to weigh the impact that aid has had on the provision of essential public services against the extent to which it has contributed to the rather sluggish development of public capacity across these critical institutions. 

This panel discussion looks to break down exactly how US foreign aid has existed across Africa, how it functioned as a critical tool of US soft power in the region, and how governments should look to respond to the immediate gaps in health, education, and civic sector services created by these changes.