With Donald Trump back in the White House, the U.S. government is preparing to fund projects by American companies in the Sahara, reviving a decision first made during Trump's 2020 term but later put on hold under President Joe Biden. «Under Joe Biden's administration, American investments in Western Sahara were restricted, but Donald Trump is expected to lift these limitations», reported Africa Intelligence on Thursday, July 31. According to the newspaper, the U.S. federal government, through the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), is preparing to financially support investment projects in the Sahara proposed by American companies. Following a security assessment, the National Security Agency (NSA) has given the green light for U.S. investor presence in the region, effectively dismissing repeated threats from the Polisario Front targeting foreign economic actors under the pretext of an ongoing «war» against Morocco. Just two weeks before Joe Biden took office, a high-level DFC delegation visited Morocco on January 7, 2020, to explore private investment opportunities and stimulate economic growth. The visit followed the announcement of a $5 billion investment plan for Morocco and North Africa. Shortly afterward, the investment platform Dakhlaconnect.com was launched from the headquarters of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab regional wilaya. The event was attended by then–U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Funded by the U.S. government through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the platform was created to promote regional investment and territorial marketing and to support the planned opening of a U.S. consulate in Dakhla. Biden's cautious approach slowed DFC involvement Biden's arrival at the White House temporarily stalled these initiatives. Several U.S. lawmakers strongly opposed any new political or economic move that might reaffirm Washington's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Still, the DFC maintained communication with Moroccan counterparts, including during a visit in October 2024. With Donald Trump now returning to the presidency, the pathway appears clear for direct federal support of economic projects in the Sahara. This shift follows an earlier step taken in April 2024 by the U.S. State Department, then headed by Democrat Antony Blinken, which pledged up to $500,000 to support projects promoting inclusive economic growth in Dakhla and Laayoune, a symbolic gesture reinforcing U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. Meanwhile, major American companies like GE Vernova, a subsidiary of General Electric, are already active in the Sahara, implementing projects for Moroccan public institutions.
