Tein Jack-Rich, president of Belemaoil Group, has called for a stronger Nigeria-U.S. economic partnership, describing it as the catalyst for Africa’s industrialisation and long-term prosperity.

Mr Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, made the call while receiving an award at the Celebrate America 250 event commemorating America’s semiquincentennial in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

The event attracted prominent American political and business leaders, including Eric Trump (the U.S. president’s son) and members of the U.S. Congress, such as Jim Jordan.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Mr Jack-Rich said Africa’s greatest need was greater access to U.S. markets, investments, technology and strategic partnerships.

“What Africa needs is the right access. What Africa needs is the right collaboration. What Africa needs is the right partnership,” he said.

He described the United States as Africa’s most dependable development partner capable of unlocking the continent’s vast economic opportunities.

“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.

Mr Jack-Rich said a stronger Nigeria-U.S. alliance would spark 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 said.

He said Nigeria’s abundant hydrocarbons, critical minerals, youthful population and more than 60 per cent of arable land positioned it as America’s natural gateway to the continent.

According to him, stronger bilateral trade will accelerate Nigeria’s emergence as a trillion-dollar economy while driving broader African economic transformation.

Mr Jack-Rich said his conviction about the strategic importance of Nigeria-U.S. relations partly informed his decision to seek Nigeria’s presidency ahead of the 2023 elections.

“I wanted that opportunity where Nigeria and the U.S. can be the best partners. That’s my primary reason,” he said.

He urged Washington not to diminish its engagement with Africa, stressing that Nigeria remained 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.

Mr Trump endorsed Mr Jack-Rich’s call for closer engagement, saying Africa possesses extraordinary economic potential that should not be overlooked by the U.S.

“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,” he said.

Mr Trump cautioned that if the U.S. failed to deepen engagement with Africa, competing global powers would continue expanding their influence across the continent.

“If America doesn’t do it, there are other adversaries in the world, and we know exactly who they are that will do it,” he said.

He said stronger partnerships with Africa aligned with his father’s vision of advancing America’s strategic and economic interests globally.

“My father talks about America First. To be America First, you have to have strong partnerships. You can’t drive other countries away from us,” he said.

Mr Trump said Mr Jack-Rich’s remarks reflected Africa’s willingness 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,” he said. 

(NAN)