The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup

333: Spanish Lawyer Investing in Africa, Caribbean, & Latin America – Rafael Millan


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Many of us love exploring off-the-radar countries few people have even heard of, but how many actually invest and build businesses there? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Rafael Millan—better known as Rafa—has been doing for nearly two decades. From Europe to Africa and eventually South America, Rafa’s journey is packed with both invaluable lessons and crazy stories.
In this episode, Rafa shares how his expat journey led him to invest and do business in “wild frontier” nations like Mali and The Gambia. We’ll dive into the obstacles of doing business in Europe today, the vital role of finding the right business partners, and why Rafa considers Paraguay his ultimate investment haven. 
Enjoy!
TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH RAFAEL MILLAN
  • Find out how Rafa’s bilingual upbringing in Europe prepared him for an international life at an early age. 
  • Discover why Paraguay captured Rafa’s business attention and why it checked all the boxes to become his “final destination” for investment. 
  • Uncover some of the off-the-radar countries Rafa has been invested in - places you would never even think of, like Mali and the Gambia.
  • Learn about the sad fate that befell the once-promising country of Mali after the “Arab Spring” and the fall of Gaddafi in Libya. 
  • Tune in as Rafa shares a wild story about how one of his business partners in Africa ended up in a slightly different line of work.
  • Listen to hear how Rafa’s experiences in war-torn countries led him to appreciate the peace of mind of doing business in a country like Paraguay.
  • Rafa and I discuss the importance of finding the right business partners. If we had to do all this ourselves, we would never get anything done!
  • Are Europe’s best years behind it? Hear from Rafa why doing business in Europe has become so difficult. 
  • By the end of this conversation, you’ll gain key insights into investing internationally and hear a few entertaining stories!

  •  
    HOW TO CONTACT RAFAEL MILLAN
     
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    RELATED EPISODES
    326: Paraguay Potential: Investing Offshore For Fun And Adventure
    295: OffBeat Escapes: Exploring Contrarian Plan B Locations - Brian Greco
    273: Discover Paraguay: An In-Depth Breakdown Of Our Scouting Trip

    Mentioned in this episode:

    No Plan-B Without the Language

    If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.

    Story Learning Courses

    Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch It

    Fiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/gold

    Offshore Gold & Silver

    This Is Your Invitation to The Hub

    This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.

    Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community

    No Plan-B Without the Language

    If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.

    Story Learning Courses

    Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch It

    Fiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/gold

    Offshore Gold & Silver

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    The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel ThorupBy Mikkel Thorup

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