The French magazine Jeune Afrique reported on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump is focusing on Libya’s oil and gas sector as part of his broader “African Resources Diplomacy” strategy, which is based on the principle of trade rather than aid.
The report noted that after prioritizing rare and strategic minerals in other African countries, the Trump administration has now shifted its attention to Libya’s energy wealth.
The magazine also highlighted a major deal between the American company Hill International and Mellitah Oil & Gas, a joint venture between the National Oil Corporation and Italy’s Eni, worth USD 235 million for project management services. This contract is part of an ambitious USD 8 billion offshore gas development program.
According to observers, these moves represent a renewed push by Washington to secure long-term access to Libyan energy exports—a cornerstone of the national economy and a vital asset in global energy markets.
The magazine added that the strategy aims to strengthen the United States’ economic and geopolitical influence in resource-rich regions while limiting the role of competitors such as China and Russia.
