Tein Jack-Rich, president of Belemaoil Group and former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, has urged for a stronger Nigeria-U.S. economic partnership, calling it essential for Africa’s industrialisation and long-term prosperity. He made the appeal during the Celebrate America 250 event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, an occasion marking America’s semiquincentennial and attended by prominent U.S. political and business figures, including Eric Trump and Congressman Jim Jordan.
Speaking after receiving an award at the event, Jack-Rich emphasized that Africa’s greatest need is improved access to U.S. markets, investments, technology, and strategic collaborations. “What Africa needs is the right access. What Africa needs is the right collaboration. What Africa needs is the right partnership,” he stated. He described the United States as Africa’s most dependable development partner, capable of unlocking the continent’s vast economic potential. “The best partner that Africa can ever take to the bank with a written note and have that note generate capital for growth is the USA,” he said.
Jack-Rich believes that a deeper Nigeria-U.S. alliance can trigger an industrial revolution across Africa, creating jobs, attracting investments, and improving livelihoods. “If you have the U.S. having its launching pad as Nigeria, the whole of the continent will have that industrial revolution. There will be massive employment, capital growth and dignified lives,” he added. He highlighted Nigeria’s abundant hydrocarbons, critical minerals, youthful population, and over 60 per cent of Africa’s arable land as key assets positioning it as America’s natural gateway to the continent.
According to Jack-Rich, stronger bilateral trade could accelerate Nigeria’s emergence as a trillion-dollar economy and drive broader African economic transformation. His conviction about the strategic importance of Nigeria-U.S. relations influenced his decision to seek the Nigerian presidency in the 2023 elections. “I wanted that opportunity where Nigeria and the U.S. can be the best partners. That’s my primary reason,” he explained. He also urged the U.S. not to reduce its engagement with Africa, stressing that Nigeria remains indispensable to the continent’s future prosperity. “Until Nigeria is set on the right stage, it will be difficult for Africa to have a launching pad,” he said.
Eric Trump echoed Jack-Rich’s sentiments, praising Africa’s extraordinary economic potential and warning that if the U.S. does not deepen its engagement, other global powers will fill the void. “I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time all over Africa, and the potential is unbelievable. The beauty of the countries and the natural resources speak for themselves,” Trump said. He noted that his father’s “America First” policy requires strong global partnerships. “You can’t drive other countries away from us,” he said, adding that Jack-Rich’s remarks reflect Africa’s eagerness to strengthen ties with the U.S. “We had better embrace that as a nation, and I know under my father that will certainly happen with the entire Africa,” Trump concluded.
This call for deeper U.S.-Africa engagement comes at a time when global powers are increasingly vying for influence on the continent, making strategic partnerships more critical than ever.
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