Trump to Gut U.S. Agency Funding Africa Infrastructure Projects: Memo

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to gut a U.S. agency that has invested billions in infrastructure in Africa, ceding ground in a key area of competition with China, according to a memo.

A memo, which was sent to staff and whose contents were shared Wednesday with AFP, said that billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency will impose a “significant reduction” in programs and staff at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.