Semafor previously reported that [Boulos was likely to get a position focusing](https://www.semafor.com/article/03/10/2025/trump-to-appoint-drc-envoy-as-us-eyes-minerals-pact) on the Great Lakes region, where the conflict in eastern DR Congo and the prospects of a critical minerals deal with Kinshasa are high on the agenda. The region is likely to remain his key priority in this role, a US official told Semafor. Boulos has already held meetings with officials from both DR Congo and Rwanda last month, according to two people with knowledge of the talks.
The White House [has so far failed in three attempts](https://www.semafor.com/article/03/27/2025/white-house-fails-to-appoint-top-africa-job-for-third-time) to appoint anyone for its top Africa job, Semafor previously reported — making Boulos the State Department’s most senior official appointed by the Trump administration focused on the continent.
Boulos spent a large part of his professional life in Nigeria, where he has been involved in several businesses, including a trucking and heavy machinery company. He also played an active role as an emissary to Arab American votes, pitching Trump as a candidate who would bring peace to the Middle East.