What Donald Trump’s presidency means for Africa

Donald Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States. Here's what his presidency could mean for Africa:

Slowing economic growth

Africa's economies are already struggling with the downturn. If Trump's nationalist rhetoric on trade is translated into action, expect, “a global recession, with no end in sight”, according to economist Paul Krugman.

The recently re-signed AGOA trade deal between Africa and the US, worth some $50bn, is under threat.

More seriously, if Trump holds good to his promise to pick a trade war with China, the aggregate demand for commodities will plummet further – one of the key drivers of many African economies.

Upon news of Trump's election, stock futures fell in Asia and Europe and the Dow Jones dropped 800 points. Financial markets see Trump as an uncertainty.

He has suggested that the US should buy back some of its $20tn debt – at a discount of course.

Empowering dictators

Trump is known to be fond of the leadership styles of Saddam Hussein and Vladimir Putin. The US president-elect has already been congratulated by two members of Africa's third term club: Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza and Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni.

Trump has publicly supported torture and called for the killing of the families of terrorists. He also supports the continuing use of the notorious Guantanamo Bay facility in Cuba. Incumbent President Barack Obama had promised to close that facility during his presidency.

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