A FORMER adviser to United States President Donald Trump has stressed that Africa must make strategic long-term choices to secure economic success, calling on leaders to reject exploitative deals that burden the continent with unsustainable debt.
Speaking at the Afreximbank’s 2025 Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Nigeria on Thursday, Jason Miller warned that African governments and businesses must demand greater value from foreign investors, rather than accepting short-term gains that fail to deliver lasting growth.
The remarks come as global powers compete for influence in Africa, raising concerns over debt dependency and unequal partnerships.
"Africa must position itself for the long term and demand more from those looking to do business here," Miller said.
"African leaders from both government and businesses alike must avoid deals that sound tempting but generate nothing but unsustainable debt.
"Instead, Africa should look to partner with allies making commitments of foreign direct investment that also address Africa's needs. That means such basics as peace, food sustainability, access to clean water, life-saving medicines and healthcare, and education for your children.
"And it also means investment that looks toward the economy of the future so that Africans are not left further behind."
Africa’s total external debt is expected to surpass US$1,3 trillion by 2025 and continue to increase gradually through 2029.
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Miller, a communication strategist, urged leaders to take advantage of the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, warning that if these opportunities were not seized, Africa and its people risked falling further behind.
"For decades, too many outside countries have come to this great land and taken, taken, taken, leaving behind nothing but broken promises without any regard for Africa's people or Africa's future. This must never be allowed to happen again," he said.
"Africa can, in fact, accomplish more, and working with the United States, everything is possible. But it's Africa and Africa's leaders—you—that must make the choice."
He urged African nations to continue making the necessary reforms to improve the business climate. These include ending corruption, enforcing contracts under the rule of law, and stabilising currencies.
"This isn't a wish list; this is exactly what is required to generate the critical investment Africa needs to realise its full potential," Miller said.
He said under Trump’s new leadership, American capital was no longer just about government capital but private-sector capital.
"Private capital is how you ensure success for all parties involved, because no company is going to invest in a failing project, a losing proposition. Private capital demands results, and private capital delivers accountability," he said.
"But this investment won’t come to Africa from the United States unless more reforms are made. The rule of law must be enforced. Countries and companies alike must know that contracts have to be followed."
He added: "Investors must know that countries are committed to continuing to eliminate corruption. There's been some great progress toward economic and legal reforms in Africa in recent years.
"The faster these reforms are made, the faster American capital and American investment will come pouring in. There will be so much capital that comes pouring in. The United States should not be invested in nation-building; it should be invested in creating partnerships."
The former adviser said the economic development projects supported by the United States in the present and future are not projects that will load up African countries with debt, but rather projects that will help generate revenue for the countries of Africa.
He said the future of the US-Africa relationship will also be based on mutual respect, including recognising national sovereignty and each other's immigration laws.
"Africa's future and its partnership with America remain as bright as ever, and organisations such as the Afreximbank and all of you here today are shining examples of what can be achieved, because together we will make Africa powerful again," Miller said.
