U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Massad Boulos as Senior Advisor for Africa. Boulos, who is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, will take on this role alongside his existing position as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. “The Department of State is pleased to announce the appointment of Massad Boulos as Senior Advisor for Africa. Senior Advisor Boulos also serves as Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs,” Bruce stated.
Boulos’s immediate task will be a diplomatic tour across East Africa, where he will engage with regional leaders on matters of peace and economic development. His itinerary includes visits to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, beginning on April 3, 2025. This mission is particularly focused on the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where he will work with regional stakeholders to explore pathways to durable peace.
Accompanying Boulos on this visit will be Corina Sanders, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. The two officials are expected to hold meetings with Heads of State and key business leaders to address not only regional security concerns but also strategies for enhancing U.S. private sector investment in Africa.
Massad Fares Boulos is a Lebanese-born American businessman with extensive experience in Nigeria’s corporate sector, including ownership in trucking and heavy machinery enterprises. His connection to the Trump family came through his son, Michael Boulos, who married Tiffany Trump. His appointment follows a pattern within the Trump administration of assigning key roles to family associates. Last year, Charles Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s father-in-law, was named U.S. ambassador to France.
Boulos’s diplomatic mission to East Africa is expected to shape U.S. engagement in the region, especially in addressing security challenges and promoting economic partnerships. His visit will be closely watched by both African leaders and international observers as the Trump administration continues to expand its influence on the continent.
