African integrated nation
When Donald Trump took office for his second term as US president on January 20th, he was one of the gusts of executive orders that suddenly frozen one billion people with US foreign aid.
The pause is set to last for 90 days. Officially, it allows for a comprehensive review of funding priorities and assesses whether the US aligns with the administration's foreign policy goals.
The move has been widely scrutinized for its impact on global humanitarian and development efforts. One important outcome is that it will impact higher education in Africa, ranging from scholarships and scholarships to research in key areas such as health, climate change and agriculture.
Actions targeting USAID
Foreign aid in the United States has played a key role in strengthening African universities, particularly through the partnership between the US Organization for International Development (USAID) Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) and African and American institutions.
USAID was an independent federal agency, the only largest distributor of US foreign aid, and was a funding and emergency response initiative for healthcare, education and emergency response initiatives around the world.
But all of these are at risk. This week's attempt to access information about HESN Online included the following message: “On Friday, February 7, 2025, 11:59 PM EST, all USAID direct employment officers will be placed on administrative leave worldwide…”
With a major restructuring move, the Trump administration appears to be at least intended to USAID or even worse. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed acting manager for the organization, signaling the integration of the agency under the scope of the State Department.
At the same time, Trump's South African-born tech billionaire, Elon Musk, tasked with streamlining federal operations, has been openly critical of USAID, saying, “It's not an apple with a worm, but actually “It's a worm ball,” he explained, and the agency has advocated for its closure, which has surpassed repairs.
A threatened African universities
Trump's “America First” policy has the effect of placing “Africa last” as the US freezes higher education across the continent.
The freeze was destroyed:
•Institutional Partnerships – Many African universities work with US institutions on initiatives such as climate research, public health research, and agricultural innovation.
• Capacity Building Program – A project funded by USAID to improve university governance and research capabilities to train African scholars and administrators. and
• Scholarships and Scholarships – Some African students rely on funding from schemes to support aid to access quality education.
For universities in many countries, this funding has helped to expand access and quality to education. The freeze not only puts these efforts at risk, but also raises concerns about the sustainability of Africa's higher education development without external support.
Research and innovation
The US-backed research collaboration has helped African universities become key players seeking solutions to regional and global challenges.
Sectors such as public health, climate resilience and food security have benefited greatly from funding partnerships with American institutions.
Freezing is especially threatened:
• Public Health Research – Many African universities are working with US institutions on projects related to HIV/AIDS, malaria and emerging diseases. Without funding, essential health interventions could stall.
•Climate Change Research – The US supports African researchers in research into drought, desertification and climate adaptation. Funding gaps could undermine Africa's ability to tackle the climate crisis.
• Agricultural Research – Until recently, US government's global hunger and food security initiatives, including future feeding initiatives, will help universities in Africa to develop more resilient crops and sustainable agricultural practices. I've done it. Currently, when searching online for information about the program, it says “Not found”, but “Not present”.
With an emphasis on Africa as a centre for scientific innovation, losing US support could slow progress, especially in universities that do not have alternative sources of funding.
Student and staff mobility
The United States has long been a favourable destination for African students pursuing higher education abroad, with thousands of people benefiting from aid scholarships and academic exchanges. The stricter visa policy has already led to a decline in African student enrollment into the United States, which will be exacerbated by the freeze in Trump's aid.
Potential results are:
•Less scholarship opportunities – Many African students who rely on USAID-funded scholarships may struggle to buy tuition fees at American institutions.
• Decline in faculty exchange – While Africa and the US universities have long exchanged academics to promote knowledge transfer, budget constraints can undermine these initiatives.
• Changes in student preferences – As American opportunities decrease, African students may turn increasingly to alternative destinations such as the UK, Europe, Canada, and China.
Without robust funding, African talents once sought training from US institutions could instead seek opportunities elsewhere, reducing the US influence on African academic landscapes.
US-Africa Academic Partnership
The long-term impact on higher education in Africa is profound as aid freeze continues. While African universities have made progress in expanding access, improving research capabilities and developing international cooperation, many of these advances rely on external funding.
Potential responses include:
• Advocating for policy change – African higher education leaders can engage with US institutions and policy makers to highlight the need for ongoing academic investment.
• Seeking alternative sources of funding – African universities may need to look to the EU, China and private foundations for research grants and capacity building support.
•Expanding intra-African collaboration – Stronger partnerships within Africa could help universities become more independent in their research and funding.
Trump's aid freeze is a clear reminder of how political decisions in Washington can echo across African campuses. It remains to be seen whether the next US administration is recovering these critical funding flows or whether African universities must adapt to the new funding environment.
Turning point?
Africa's higher education is at a crossroads. The US aid freeze threatens to disrupt research, academic exchanges and long-standing university partnerships, forcing institutions to rethink funding models and global partnerships.
While African universities have shown remarkable resilience, questions remain. Can they thrive without US support, or are alternative global players already making important invasions to make geopolitical imprints on the continent?
If the US wants to maintain its impact and continue to shape Africa's intellectual and research environment, policymakers must recognize that higher education is not merely an afterthought of foreign aid. It is the basis of long-term global engagement.
The US freeze on foreign aid may be temporary, but the impact on higher education in Africa could continue. Through policy change, new funding flows, or deeper North-South cooperation, universities on the continent need to navigate the rapidly changing global academic order.
Source: African University Mobility Data Association, 2023; African University Association Policy Brief, 2024; British Council African Education Trends, 2024; CBS News, February 2, 2025. We will supply to future websites accessed on February 4th, 2025. Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN), USAID Annual Report, 2023; International Institute of Education, Open Doors Report, 2024; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report, 2023; National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funded Data, 2023; The President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration Reports, 2024; Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, South African Medical Research Council, February 3, 2025. Professor Scarlett Cornelissen, Stellenbosch University, February 4, 2025. Times African Report on Higher Education, 2024; University of Cape Town Global Partnership Report, 2023; USAID Higher Education Program Overview, 2024; USAID Website, Accessed February 4, 2025. Justification of the US Congressional Budget, 2024; US Congressional Research Services, 2024; US Executive Order 14172, January 22, 2025. US State Department Announcement, January 21, 2025. US State Department Education and Cultural Exchange Report, 2023; US State Department Exemption Document, January 28, 2025. World Bank Higher Education Report, 2023.
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