Nigeria, Africa need stronger US partnership to unlock opportunities — Jack-Rich

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President of Belemaoil Group, Tein Jack-Rich, has called for stronger strategic engagement between the United States and Africa, saying deeper collaboration is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and positioning the continent for sustainable growth.

Speaking after receiving an award at the Celebrate America 250 event in Washington, D.C., Jack-Rich said Africa must be more actively represented in global policy and investment conversations, stressing that direct engagement with American policymakers and business leaders would create fresh opportunities for trade, investment and development.

Describing the recognition as an opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests on the global stage, he said: “It is a great honour to celebrate America 250 and have the opportunity to be in the right network to help Nigeria, help Africa and give both a stronger voice.”

According to him, building strategic relationships with policymakers and investors is essential to expanding economic cooperation and ensuring Africa’s priorities receive greater attention.

“I have consistently advocated building trade platforms and opportunities where the dignity of African people becomes part of the strategic policy priorities of this administration,” he said.

Jack-Rich noted that engaging influential decision-makers directly enables Nigeria and Africa to shape their own narrative and build international confidence.

“We had congressmen, senior politicians, business leaders and the President’s son listening carefully to Africa’s perspective. That is the value of being in the right room,” he said.

He added that such engagements are particularly significant at a time when Nigeria and other African countries are navigating economic and security challenges.

Jack-Rich described Africa as one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations, citing its vast natural resources and youthful population as major assets capable of driving global economic growth.

“Africa has enormous resources, and platforms like this allow us to tell the Nigerian story from an African point of view,” he said.

He said discussions with American leaders also focused on Nigeria’s strategic role in regional peace, security and economic development.

“The President’s involvement in helping Nigeria address insecurity has drawn global attention, created greater responsibility and reinforced the importance of sustained engagement,” he said.

The businessman urged the United States to see Africa as a long-term strategic partner rather than merely a supplier of raw materials.

“The U.S. should know that Africa is an important ally,” he said.

Jack-Rich revealed that some American participants raised concerns over the growing influence of China and Russia across Africa but maintained that African countries naturally gravitate towards partners willing to invest in their development.

“They talked about countries like China and Russia. I told them the issue is that Africa naturally partners with those who make themselves available,” he said.

“The African people are looking for opportunities to grow. Whatever opportunities are available are naturally the ones they engage with.”

Despite increasing geopolitical competition on the continent, he argued that the United States remains Africa’s most sustainable long-term partner because of the strength of its institutions, innovation and investment culture.

“A partnership with the U.S. is more sustainable because its footprint can outlive generations,” he said.

Jack-Rich said the Celebrate America 250 event underscored the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties, expressing optimism that greater cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, technology and trade would unlock Nigeria’s immense economic potential and accelerate Africa’s development.

“Africa has everything it needs to realise its full potential. What we require are trusted partnerships, expanded opportunities and greater access to global markets,” he said.

The high-profile event brought together Eric Trump, members of the U.S. Congress, including Rep. Jim Jordan, senior political figures, business leaders and international dignitaries, providing a platform for discussions on expanding U.S.-Africa economic cooperation and strengthening strategic partnerships.