The two feature in the latest episode of The Long Form Podcast, hosted by Sanny Ntayombya, where they shared their impressions of Rwanda, the universal language of financial literacy, and the untapped opportunities for Black investment on the continent.<\/p>\n
{{Discovering Rwanda\u2019s charm
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Upon landing in Kigali, Bilal and Millings were struck by Rwanda\u2019s stunning landscapes and efficiency. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt surpassed my expectations,\u201d Bilal said. \u201cI knew it was going to be clean, efficient, but I didn\u2019t know it was going to be so beautiful\u2014mountain ranges, hills, lights at night.\u201d <\/p>\n
Millings echoed, noting the seamless airport processes and pristine streets, even at night. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a hidden treasure that the world doesn\u2019t know about,\u201d he said, challenging outdated media portrayals of Rwanda like those shown in movies like Hotel Rwanda.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s transformation over the past 30 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi impressed the duo. <\/p>\n
Millings remarked, \u201cSeeing the infrastructure, real estate, businesses, and a tech hub today\u2014it\u2019s remarkable. What does it look like in the next 10, 15 years?\u201d <\/p>\n
Rwanda\u2019s rapid growth, driven by strong leadership and a unified vision, positions it as a model for African progress and a magnet for Black investors worldwide.<\/p>\n
Earn Your Leisure is renowned for making financial literacy accessible and culturally relevant for Black communities. In Rwanda, Bilal and Millings explored how this mission aligns with Africa\u2019s economic rise. <\/p>\n
When asked why a young Black investor from the U.S. should consider Rwanda, Bilal highlighted its stability and low corruption. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou need confidence, especially in a foreign country,\u201d he said. \u201cRwanda has a lot going for itself\u2014low to almost no corruption.\u201d This, paired with a young, dynamic population, makes Rwanda a prime destination for Black capital.<\/p>\n
The duo also discussed their investment in Ghana, where they\u2019re developing Sombra City, a diaspora-friendly welcome city. <\/p>\n
Bilal explained, \u201cIt\u2019s a model that can be replicated in Rwanda and beyond, creating something that welcomes you and keeps you here.\u201d <\/p>\n
The episode also emphasised Pan-Africanism, highlighting the shared history and destiny of African and African-American communities. Millings noted that cultural shifts, through music, social media, and initiatives like Ghana\u2019s Year of Return, have bridged the gap. <\/p>\n
\u201cCulture is a door that gets people in, like a Trojan horse,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce inside, they see opportunities and feel comfortable investing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bilal addressed historical barriers, noting that negative media portrayals of Africa, including war, poverty, and danger, were intentional to deter Black investment. <\/p>\n
\u201cSocial media now lets us see things in real time, countering that narrative,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
This shift, Bilal believes, empowers Black Americans to view Africa as a home for economic and cultural reconnection.<\/p>\n
{{The power of wealth
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Bilal and Millings reflected on how wealth shapes the Black experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cHaving money and being independent allows you freedom\u2014allows you to be you,\u201d Bilal said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to code-switch or change who you are.\u201d Yet, Millings added, \u201cMoney doesn\u2019t exempt you from being a Black man in America. You\u2019re never fully safe.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bilal hopes his children and grandchildren will see this Rwanda visit as a pivotal moment in Africa\u2019s rise. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope they understand the significance of a new world order\u2014the real rise of Africa,\u201d he said. Millings envisioned a future where Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya become regular destinations for the diaspora, not as tourists but as stakeholders. <\/p>\n
\u201cAfrica is home,\u201d he affirmed.<\/p>\n
Watch the full episode of the podcast below:<\/p>\n