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President Donald Trump shortly after assuming office halted the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), sending a ripple effect through critical sectors in Africa, and a few other regions.
One of Trump’s first measures after taking office was to halt practically all overseas expenditures for 90 days. His government argues USAID is inefficient and inconsistent with US interests, accusing it of being “run by radical lunatics.”
With a $50 billion budget, USAID, the biggest donor organization in the world, oversees US civilian overseas aid.
The United States paid $68 billion in foreign aid in 2023, of which about $40 billion came from USAID.
The following categories of funding were allotted: humanitarian help ($15.6 billion), health ($16 billion), and economic development ($19 billion).
Much of USAID’s budget funds health programs, including polio vaccinations and pandemic prevention in the least developed countries.
Following the aid halt, some African countries began to experience the effects in crucial sectors, including agriculture.
The foundation of Africa’s economy, agriculture, is among the most severely impacted industries.
More than 60% of the continent’s workforce is employed there, and it significantly contributes to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security.
Nevertheless, despite its significance, Africa’s agriculture confronts several obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure, climate change, restricted loan availability, and antiquated technologies.
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The United States has been a major contributor to agricultural development in Africa, mostly through USAID, to address these problems.
Millions of smallholder farmers have benefited from initiatives like Feed the Future, which was introduced in 2010 and has helped them access better markets, raise incomes, and enhance crop yields.
Despite this, several African countries don’t rely that heavily on USAID, given the amount they receive compared to the amount other developed countries receive.
With that said, here are the 10 African countries that the United States promised the least aid to in 2024, as per data from the U.S. foreign assistance data portal.
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Top 10 African countries the United States promised the least money in 2024 – Business Insider Africa
