In a move that sent shockwaves across the globe, President Donald Trump halted the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shortly after taking office, significantly impacting critical sectors in Africa and other regions. According to data from the U.S. foreign assistance data portal, Business Insider Africa has compiled a list of the top 10 African countries that received the least aid from the United States in 2024.

USAID, the world's largest donor organization with a $50 billion budget, oversees US civilian overseas aid. In 2023, the United States paid $68 billion in foreign aid, with about $40 billion coming from USAID. The agency's budget is allocated across various categories, including humanitarian help ($15.6 billion), health ($16 billion), and economic development ($19 billion). A significant portion of USAID's budget funds health programs, such as polio vaccinations and pandemic prevention in the least developed countries.

The halt in aid has had a devastating impact on Africa's agriculture sector, which is the foundation of the continent's economy. More than 60% of the continent's workforce is employed in agriculture, and it significantly contributes to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, climate change, restricted loan availability, and antiquated technologies. The United States has been a major contributor to agricultural development in Africa, primarily through USAID, to address these problems.

Despite the significance of USAID's aid, several African countries do not rely heavily on the organization, given the amount they receive compared to other developed countries. Nevertheless, the halt in aid has still had a ripple effect on the continent. According to Caitlin Burton, "US funding is not as important as Africans have been told." Initiatives like Feed the Future, introduced in 2010, have helped millions of smallholder farmers access better markets, raise incomes, and enhance crop yields.

So, which African countries received the least aid from the United States in 2024? According to the U.S. foreign assistance data portal, the top 10 countries are: Eritrea and Gabon, which received $0; Seychelles, with $250,000; Mauritius, with $440,137; São Tomé and Príncipe, with $880,000; Cabo Verde, with $1,304,536; Equatorial Guinea, with $2,017,550; Algeria, with $3,499,046; Comoros, with $8,722,175; and Congo Republic, with $9,567,828.

The implications of the USAID halt are far-reaching, and the effects will likely be felt across various sectors in Africa. As the continent struggles to address its development challenges, the reduction in aid from the United States will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the region's economic growth and poverty alleviation efforts. As the global community watches, it remains to be seen how African countries will adapt to this new reality and find alternative sources of funding to support their development initiatives.