THE ROLE OF ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY IN STRENGTHENING U.S.-FRANCOPHONE AFRICA BUSINESS RELATIONS

Africa is not prioritized in the U.S. diplomatic strategy and engagement, but with an increasing population and substantial essential natural resources, countries, and global forces are becoming more deliberate about their relations with Africa. It has become necessary for the United States to redefine its approach to Africa, with a particular emphasis on Francophone Africa. This review examines the various initiatives from different U.S. administrations, the challenges from within and outside the U.S., to the success and longevity of these initiatives. China has made inroads into critical sectors of the economies of some Francophone countries by identifying challenges in the provision of critical infrastructure and offering solutions to these regimes. The review recommends a focused Africa agenda, differentiation of U.S. strategy from the historical influences of France, full utilization of the potential of AfCFTA, and high-level diplomatic engagement as ways to revive its dwindling influence within the Francophone bloc. Keywords: Diplomatic, United States, Francophone Africa, Engagement