Thione Niang: « What Trump understood… and what too many African presidents have not yet understood »
With his incisive pen, Thione Niang signs a new Cart’Afrik that challenges: why do so many African presidents still travel “empty” when every trip could be an economic weapon in the service of the continent’s entrepreneurs? By Thione Niang*

In a competitive global economy, a president cannot limit himself to symbolic diplomacy. He must be the first salesman of his country, turning every official trip into an economic mission to open markets and propel his entrepreneurs internationally.
« Trump did not travel for the sake of form. He traveled to sell America, to make his companies win, to open markets for his economic champions »
This is exactly what Trump demonstrated during his Gulf tour in May 2025. In just a few days, he went to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, accompanied not by a mere protocol delegation but by major figures of the American economy: Elon Musk, Sam Altman, executives from BlackRock, Nvidia, Boeing, ExxonMobil, General Atomics… This trip led to a flood of announcements. With Riyadh, $600 billion in investment commitments were announced. In Doha, Qatar ordered 210 Boeing aircraft worth $96 billion. And in Abu Dhabi, more than $200 billion worth of agreements were signed in the energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure sectors. In total, this tour is said to have generated between $2.5 and $4 trillion in economic opportunities for the United States.
Trump did not travel for the sake of form. He traveled to sell America, to make his companies win, to open markets for his economic champions. Meanwhile, too many African heads of state continue to travel alone or with purely administrative delegations. Too often, the airplane seats remain empty of entrepreneurs, young start-ups, promising industries. And the return home happens with no contracts signed, no new economic opportunities created.
« Africa has no right to continue traveling empty. Every presidential trip should be an economic offensive »
It is urgent to change this vision. Morocco offers an excellent example to follow. King Mohammed VI travels with the CEOs of Morocco’s largest companies. Thanks to this strategy, Attijariwafa Bank, Maroc Telecom, Royal Air Maroc, and Saham have established themselves in several African countries, creating jobs, added value, and strengthening the country’s influence.
Turkey, with Erdogan, follows the same dynamic. Its companies are now present in African markets, in construction and real estate.
And if Africa wants to matter in the future, it will have to learn to support its entrepreneurs as strategic assets, to export them, to make them shine, and to transform every presidential trip into a collective victory.
Africa has no right to continue traveling empty. Every presidential trip should be an economic offensive. Every foreign visit should help bring forth national champions, give them access to new markets, and bring back foreign currency that strengthens the trade balance of our countries.
Political influence is only worth something if it serves economic power. And if Africa wants to matter in the future, it will have to learn to support its entrepreneurs as strategic assets, to export them, to make them shine, and to transform every presidential trip into a collective victory.
What do you think?
Former adviser to Barack Obama, Thione Niang is founder of JeufZone Farm and Give1Project. A social entrepreneur, farmer, author, and filmmaker, he works for the empowerment of young people and the promotion of Africa’s potential.