Jason Miller, a former senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has urged African nations to reject development deals that burden them with unsustainable debt.
Speaking at the 32nd Annual Afreximbank Meetings in Abuja on Thursday, Miller called such agreements exploitative and warned that they could derail the continent’s progress.
“Africa must move from dependence to strategic partnerships that deliver real value,” he said, emphasizing that if African leaders fail to make deliberate economic choices, the continent could again fall victim to foreign manipulation.
“This is Africa’s century,” Miller declared. “But without a strategic approach, these opportunities may slip away—and Africa could be taken advantage of again.”
He explained that the Trump administration’s trade philosophy was rooted in mutually beneficial partnerships driven by private capital, not by state-backed loans that result in long-term dependency.
“America seeks strategic alliances grounded in private investment—not debt traps, military intervention, or empty promises,” he said. Miller added that African countries must now demand accountability and push for investments that support long-term infrastructure growth in critical sectors like energy, transport, and technology.
“Aid should no longer come without strings of accountability. Africa deserves investments that lead to real, lasting development,” he added.
Miller expressed the United States’ willingness to back reforms that improve transparency, contract enforcement, and economic stability—key requirements for attracting major institutional investment from the West. He praised Nigeria’s recent monetary reforms and urged other African nations to follow suit in making their economies more investor-friendly.
Drawing a contrast between U.S. and Chinese investment approaches, Miller cautioned against accepting credit from partners who disregard environmental and financial accountability.
He pointed to American efforts in public health, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism as examples of more responsible engagement. On trade, he called for the modernization of current policies like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), pushing for reciprocal terms that match today’s global realities.
Miller also defended the Trump-era use of tariffs, saying they were vital to protecting industries tied to national security.
In conclusion, he urged African leaders to approach the U.S. with clear, bankable proposals instead of symbolic diplomacy. “Africa must actively attract investors and industry leaders who shape global trade—not just rely on traditional political channels,” he said.
