US election and its real impact on Africa

When the US election, the process by which Americans choose their president and federal leaders, directly influences global markets, foreign aid, and trade policies. Also known as American presidential election, it’s not just a domestic event—it ripples across continents, especially in places like South Africa where trade, investment, and policy decisions are tied to Washington’s direction. The 2024 election sent shockwaves through African economies. Business confidence in South Africa, for example, dropped sharply during the uncertainty, then bounced back once the outcome became clearer. The SACCI index, a key measure of local business sentiment, climbed back above 110 as companies reacted to the new administration’s stance on tariffs, climate funding, and security partnerships.

The African economy, a diverse set of markets from Nigeria to Kenya, heavily influenced by global capital flows and US trade policy doesn’t operate in a vacuum. When US policy shifts, so do foreign direct investments, loan terms from international banks, and even aid packages from USAID. For instance, South Africa’s SASSA grant system and Telkom’s tower sale were both affected indirectly—by how global investors viewed Africa’s stability under shifting US leadership. The same goes for luxury tourism in Rwanda and Kenya: when American travelers cut back due to economic uncertainty or travel advisories, revenue leaks out of local communities faster than ever.

What you’ll find in this collection

These posts don’t just report on the US election—they show how it connects to real outcomes in Africa. You’ll see how election outcomes influenced South African business confidence, how global investors reacted to policy changes, and why African governments pay close attention to every tweet, debate, and cabinet pick in Washington. This isn’t about politics for politics’ sake. It’s about jobs, grants, infrastructure deals, and who gets left behind when Washington changes course. Below, you’ll find real stories: from SASSA’s grant adjustments to Telkom’s $354 million tower sale, all shaped by the broader global climate set by the US election.