President Donald Trump welcomed leaders of five African nations, hailing the continent’s economic potential as his administration seeks to expand US access to critical minerals and other natural resources.

U.S. President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations at a White House lunch Wednesday to discuss "commercial opportunities," a White House official said last week. Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, West African nations that have been hit by his aid cuts.

US President Donald Trump will host the leaders of five West and Central African countries at the White House on Wednesday at the start of an unprecedented two-day summit. Trade, investment and security are expected to top the agenda as Washington pivots away from foreign development aid.