By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah
A former advisor and communications strategist to US President Donald Trump, Jason Miller, has at the 32nd Annual Meetings of Afreximbank in Abuja, delivered a “provocative yet forward-looking message” to African leaders: the future belongs to Africa but only if the continent plays its cards right.
Addressing a high-level audience of policymakers, investors, and development experts, Miller described Africa’s rise as both inevitable and vulnerable.
He cited projections that by 2050, Africa will surpass Europe as the world’s third-largest economic bloc, with Nigeria among the top 10 global economies.
Also it is projected that by 2100, four of the world’s most populous nations will be in sub-Saharan Africa.
“This is Africa’s century, but if these opportunities aren’t seized strategically, Africa risks being taken advantage of again,” Persecondnews quotes Miller as saying.
In a candid conversation with Gateway Partners CEO Viswanathan Shankar, Miller positioned the U.S. as a better partner than other global powers, particularly China.
He criticized what he called decades of “exploitative engagement” from foreign actors who made promises but left behind debt and environmental damage.
Miller, Instead promoted a U.S. approach focused on private capital, not loans, and strategic partnerships rather than dependency, describing it as “market-driven investment with mutual accountability.”
He listed critical areas where Africa must assert itself:
• Demand real infrastructure-for-value deals—not unsustainable aid cloaked in debt.
• Invest in future-proof sectors like data centers, clean energy, ports, and AI infrastructure.
• Leverage Africa’s youthful workforce and mineral wealth to lead the next industrial revolution.
The former Trump adviser didn’t shy away from tough talk, calling on African governments to accelerate business reforms to attract U.S. pension funds and capital markets.
“Stabilize currencies. Enforce contracts. Fight corruption. That’s the price of admission,” he said, while applauding Nigeria’s recent currency reforms as a bold first step.
He also addressed the uncertain future of AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act), set to expire in September 2025.
Miller questioned why the U.S. should continue one-way preferences if African nations impose tariffs on American goods or favour Chinese investors.
“The answer is reciprocity,” he said, advocating for a renegotiated deal with mutual benefits.
Defending Donald Trump’s controversial trade policies, Miller framed tariffs not as barriers but tools to protect national industries and push fairer trade.
He identified strategic sectors like automotive manufacturing as national security issues for the U.S.
He also spotlighted the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as a key player in Africa’s future, with projects like the Lobito Corridor and Mozambique LNG showing how profit-driven investments can drive real change without burdening Africa with debt.
Miller ended with direct advice for African leaders: prepare, engage seriously, and bring results-oriented agendas to the table.
He urged leaders to avoid empty photo-ops and instead persuade global investors especially CEOs to buy into Africa’s economic story.
“Follow Trump’s priorities. Emulate the Gulf states. Pitch real projects,” he said.
In a significant final announcement, Viswanathan Shankar confirmed Jason Miller’s appointment as Senior Advisor to Gateway Partners, a move Miller said would help channel U.S. capital into Africa’s future industries.
“Don’t settle for lip service, demand partnerships. That’s how Africa becomes powerful, wealthy, and great—on its own terms, ” Miller said.
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