Global Shifts and U.S. Policy: Why Africa Must Turn Inward
Organisations, countries and economic leaders around the world including The World Bank, Chatham House and McKinsey acknowledge that Africa has the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with its population expected to nearly double to 2.5 billion people by 2050. The continent is also home to a significant share of global mineral reserves – including 92% of platinum, 56% of cobalt, 54% of manganese and 36% of chromium and this is in addition to being the largest voting block of UN member states, with more than one-quarter of the world’s voice.
The seeds of Africa's current challenges were sown during the era of colonialism. European powers, driven by a thirst for resources and markets, partitioned the continent, disregarding existing ethnic and cultural boundaries. This arbitrary division laid the groundwork for future conflicts and instability. Colonialism was not merely a political project; it was an economic enterprise. Africa's vast mineral wealth, including gold, diamonds, and copper, was extracted to fuel European industries. Forced labor and exploitative trade practices ensured that the profits flowed to Europe, leaving Africa impoverished.
The current aid industry which positions Africa as a beneficiary of the global north’s benevolence came in the aftermath of the cold war as the United States and the Soviet Union turned Africa into a battle ground, fighting to retain influence on the continent, through interventions aimed at towards serving their own interests.
The one thing that did not change is the legacy of exploitation. As aid and development initiatives increased, requiring African countries to adopt neoliberal policies, such as privatisation and deregulation; the continent’s local industries struggled with cheap or free foreign imports that populated its markets while the governments remained reliant on export to the global north.
The global economic landscape has since evolved, with the rise of new world powers like China and Russia while African countries continue to struggle with economic instability, food insecurity due to climate change, political instability, armed conflicts in various regions, inadequate healthcare access, poor infrastructure, high levels of unemployment, and the effects of desertification.
The continent now finds itself at a critical juncture. The election of Donald Trump and his America First led approach to governance signals a potential shift to a transactional foreign policy relation. Since assuming office, President Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and WHO, scaled backed the United State Aids Department’s activities, started a trade war with countries like Mexico, Canada and South Africa; limiting US-African trade, and reducing diplomatic engagement. While the full implications of this shift remain to be seen; it underscores the need for Africa to diversify its partnerships and reduce its reliance on any single power. China has positioned itself as an ally but its engagement with Africa has been characterised by a clear transactional approach, with large-scale infrastructure projects and resource-backed loans leading to concerns debt sustainability and potential resource exploitation. It is not any different with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) who appear to be offering but only for its own potential global economic and political influence.
In this evolving global context, the time has come for Africa to prioritise self-reliance and regional integration. The continent is the future if its leadership can harness the immense potential of a young and growing population, abundant natural resources, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. The question remains as to whether African leaders have the political will to promote good governance, combat corruption, and create an environment conducive to business and investment. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement holds promises of a stronger Africa through economic growth and development but the recent exit of Sahel countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) present new challenges with significant political and economic implications.
By Zainab Sanni
