Washington, D.C., August 6, 2025, — In a wide-ranging interview with Bill Mitchell on Your Voice America, Michael Murphy, Nestpoint’s Senior Advisor for Africa & the Middle East, and Alex Olson, Nestpoint’s Deputy Director of Government Affairs, outlined the firm’s vision for U.S.–Africa relations under a “trade, not aid” philosophy — one that positions both America and Africa for long-term prosperity.
Building Nestpoint’s Foundation
Olson began by explaining Nestpoint’s origins, rooted in decades of political, financial, and strategic experience. Founded by John Thomas and Henry Huang, the firm emerged from a recognition that private equity investments, particularly in energy and technology, required strong regulatory navigation. Rather than outsourcing government affairs, Nestpoint built its own world-class team of operatives and advisors, including veterans of the Trump administration and influential policy leaders.
“Our mission is twofold,” Olson said. “We invest in companies and countries with real potential — but we also ensure that our clients succeed in the regulatory realm. That’s why Nestpoint has grown into a trusted partner for Fortune 500s, foreign governments, and entrepreneurs alike.”
Africa: The Strategic Frontier
For Murphy, who has spent more than 20 years on the ground in Africa and the Middle East, Nestpoint represents a natural fit. He described Africa as “a giant real estate development opportunity” — a continent of 54 nations rich in resources, young in population, and hungry for growth.
“You either love Africa or you don’t,” Murphy said. “I stepped foot on the continent, and I never turned back. What I saw was potential — the ability to build, create, and partner in ways that truly change lives.”
Murphy contrasted Nestpoint’s model with China’s decades-long approach, where the Belt and Road Initiative has saddled African nations with debt while importing Chinese labor. “The American model is different,” he noted. “We bring expertise, we invest equity, and we train local workforces. That’s how you build sustainable prosperity.”
Countering China’s Influence
Olson highlighted the national security dimension of Africa strategy: “China recorded a $240 billion trade surplus with Africa last year, compared to only $47 billion for the United States. That gap represents lost opportunity and growing strategic risk. We can’t afford to ignore it.”
For Nestpoint, the solution lies in coupling American investment with smart government advocacy. By leveraging both private equity and policy expertise, Nestpoint positions itself as a unique translator between U.S. businesses, African leaders, and Washington decision-makers.
A Youthful Continent, a Global Imperative
Murphy emphasized that Africa is not just about minerals, but markets. With 25% of the world’s population projected to be African by 2050 — most under the age of 30 — the region represents one of the largest underserved middle classes in the world.
“They want American goods. They want the American dream,” Murphy explained. “President Trump is one of the most popular figures on the continent because he represents achievement, building, and doing. If we don’t engage now, we risk losing a generation — but if we do, both sides win.”
Looking Ahead
Both Olson and Murphy pointed to Trump-era reforms like the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as laying the groundwork for future success. Redirecting wasteful aid toward investment-based partnerships, they argued, allows the U.S. to foster growth abroad while ensuring returns for American taxpayers.
Projecting 10 years into the future, Murphy sees a stable U.S.–Africa relationship built on critical minerals, digital finance, and shared prosperity. “What we’re doing now lays the foundation for the next global economy,” he said.
Olson concluded with Nestpoint’s broader vision: “We are not just a private equity firm, and not just a government affairs firm. We are advocates for smarter policy that builds allies abroad and benefits the average American at home. If Nestpoint can continue to play that role, we will have done our job.”
Adapted from an interview originally aired on Your Voice America. Watch here.
About Nestpoint
Nestpoint, with a global footprint and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
