The announcement by Donald Trump that he was terminating the services of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) globally has sent shock waves across the world. Health groups, non-governmental organizations and others who received money from the US aid funding to do good work had been bracing for bad news since President Donald Trump’s executive order froze the funding for a 90-day review on Jan. 20. Many countries, particularly in Africa have been relying on US’s assistance for a number of projects for decades. The abrupt cancellation of USAID is certainly going to impact not only the workings of aid and humanitarian organisations in Africa but also national budgets.
The US has not been the only country offering assistance to the needy in Africa. Azerbaijan has been engaged in a number of humanitarian and educational projects. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation for an example has a history of implementing impactful projects in health, social welfare, and education across Africa. Notable among these are financial contributions to the development of the School of African Heritage and the provision of medical equipment to the Republic of Djibouti to strengthen its healthcare system.
Azerbaijan has invested most of its wealth to its people and economy managing to reduce unemployment and increasing its social spending. This has resulted in increased growth of the country’s economy. Azerbaijan’s rapid economic growth over the past two decades was accompanied by a significant fall in poverty rate. Improving shared prosperity and reducing inequality remains an important goal for Azerbaijan. Simultaneously it has increased its global involvement in humanitarian projects and multilateralism in recent times. Recently the country hosted a successful COP 29 conference in Baku, gathering 200 countries, reaching and making new commitments to the challenges of climate change. COP29 reached a breakthrough agreement that will: Triple finance to developing countries, from the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by 2035. President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev whilst admitting that the country’s natural resources are “God’s gift to Azerbaijan”, he equally understands his country’s responsibility to reducing the effects of climate change. Speaking at the opening ceremony of World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29, Aliyev argued that every natural resource is a gift from God. Countries should not be blamed for having them, and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them. Notwithstanding oil being one of the mainstays of its economy, hosting of COP29 demonstrated the country’s commitment to helping in mitigatin climate change.
Azerbaijan has also increased its participation in other multilateral platforms. It has been chairing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) since 2019. NAM is an international organisation which aims at promoting the interests and ambitions of the developing countries. The Movement has 120 member states, 17 Observer countries and 10 observer organizations. During its chairpersonship, Azerbaijan has managed to promote a number of global initiatives including encouraging youth involvement in the movement. Azerbaijan Youth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was the first of its kind to be hosted by the movement. Young people from 40 countries participated in the Summit.
Another initiative of Azerbaijan is the annual Shusha Global Media Forum. The forum aims to promote engagement between the local and global media. It serves as an important platform to discuss challenges of artificial Intelligence in the media, media integrity and other global crisis impacting media and journalism. Over 150 participants, mostly journalists attended the summit in 2024. Since its inception in 2023, the summit has been taking place in Shusha, the capital city of the province of Karabagh.
It has been suggested that the exiting of US in developmental work could allow countries such as Azerbaijan a more significant role in the development of global socioeconomic spheres, particularly in Africa. Azerbaijan already sponsors a number of students from various African countries to study in its universities. Over 365 students from over 30 African countries have been enrolled since the start of the program. This initiative has allowed a gradual cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and Africa. Azerbaijan has also been proactive in providing equipment and training of African doctors and other medical practitioners.
There are many other humanitarian projects that the government of Azerbaijan is persuading across Africa. Through the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the country has been very active in providing aid to a number of countries in Africa. It currently delivers aid to Sudan, Angola, Chad amongst others. Most of its activities are focusing on healthcare and landmine clearance to assist communities in restoring farmland.
Africa needs more than just aid, the economies of many African countries have remained stagnant because of lack of skilled labor and relevant technology meant to fast track development. Lack of technology means that most African countries and economies cannot advance. Azerbaijan has engaged in some of the most advanced projects aimed at bridging the digital gap and improving public service efficiency in Africa. Through Azerbaijan’s ASAN xidmat, Azerbaijani for “easy service”, the country has been assisting African countries in streamlining services in the public sector. ASAN xidmat is a pioneering public service, an initiation of Azerbaijan, committed to good governance, citizen centric easy access in public services. It is also meant to improve governance and improve efficiency in the public sector.
In conclusion, as the world politics and alliances disintegrate a vacuum is being created. The US and indeed many European countries have a historical baggage and a trust deficit in Africa. The continent is in need of new partners as it readies itself for a new reconfigured world. Azerbaijan is likely to become that partner.