The rise of Africa as a potential global superpower has brought important issues that must be addressed. The implications for the global community become obvious as Africa’s economic growth, natural resource potential, and demographic potential gain pace. Concerns are raised regarding the shifting global balance, resource competition, regional stability, economic interdependence, and long-term development if Africa — as a continent — assumes global supremacy. Addressing these issues proactively and collaboratively is vital if Africa’s progress is to be accompanied by responsible government, equitable resource management, and a commitment to world peace and prosperity. In this setting, understanding and navigating the possible repercussions of Africa’s rise is crucial for the global community. Henceforth, we will examine the leading African countries driving the continent’s rise and their collaborative efforts towards Africa’s success. Additionally, we will investigate the prevailing attitudes of current African leaders concerning interference from the global community. Lastly, we will explore the question of whether Africa needs to sacrifice its sovereignty for regional development.
Behind Africa’s Rise
The potential economic rise of Africa is becoming increasingly seen as a crucial role in determining the global economy. There are several key factors and initiatives that contribute to Africa’s rising trajectory and a handful of African nations play a major role in working towards Africa’s rise. In particular, several African countries have achieved significant economic growth from recent years. This expansion is aided by economic diversification outside traditional areas such as agriculture and natural resources. African countries are increasingly focused on areas such as manufacturing, services, technology, and renewable energy, which help to boost economic resilience and competitiveness. Ethiopia is one of the African countries with the highest rates of economic growth and diversity. Over the last decade, the country has enjoyed substantial economic growth, owing to an emphasis on industrialisation and export-oriented growth. Investment in industries such as manufacturing, textiles, and agriculture has aided Ethiopia’s economic transition. The flagship Hawassa Industrial Park, for example, has attracted foreign enterprises, led to job creation and improved export earnings.
Another key factor is infrastructure development. To increase connectivity and boost economic growth, Africa is investing in essential infrastructure projects. Investing in transport networks, energy systems, digital infrastructure and ports improves regional and global trade, attracts investment and promotes economic integration. Kenya has been an East African infrastructure development pioneer. The government has invested heavily in transit networks, electricity, and digital infrastructure. Modern highway building, like the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, has enhanced connectivity and commerce linkages. Furthermore, ambitious energy projects in Kenya, such as the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, have increased renewable energy capacity and drawn foreign investment.
The rapid rise of mobile technology and digital innovation centres in nations such as Kenya and Nigeria has contributed to Africa’s changing economic landscape. Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile payment system, as well as Nigeria’s thriving tech start-up ecosystem, as evidenced by businesses such as Flutterwave and Paystack, have not only facilitated financial inclusion but have also drawn foreign investments and partnerships to their economies.
Regional integration is also one of a few key factors contributing to Africa’s rise. The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was a key step towards increasing regional integration and commerce on the African continent. AfCFTA aspires to enhance intra-African trade, attract investments, and drive economic growth by creating a single market of over 1.3 billion people. Rwanda, for example, has taken the initiative to embrace regional integration and trade facilitation. The country has been in the forefront of implementing East African Community (EAC) common market protocols and promoting intra-regional commerce. Rwanda’s commitment to regional integration and the elimination of trade obstacles has resulted in better business conditions and enhanced economic cooperation within the EAC. These recent instances emphasise Africa’s renewed ability to attract investments, promote innovation, and actively engage in global economic networks. African nations’ economic development may become a transformational force for the continent and contribute to a more balanced and affluent global economy by capitalising on this potential.
Policy Bait
Despite these efforts for success, some African states may be hesitant to accept considerable foreign support. This reluctance derives from worries about future reliance on foreign aid, the imposition of conditions that may not be in line with national interests, and previous patterns of resource exploitation and political meddling. While Africa encourages productive collaborations with external players, precautions are taken to ensure sovereignty, reciprocal advantages, and ownership of the continent’s development goal. One such example was Rwanda’s diplomatic approach under President Paul Kagame where the country had received aid and investment from both Western and Eastern countries, demonstrating its ability to balance multiple partnerships to achieve its own development goals].
Depending on the individual conditions and ties with other players, African leaders’ attitudes regarding external influence and involvement in Africa’s growth might differ. In general, African leaders strive to strike a balance between their countries’ interests, sovereignty, and development goals while working with global partners. Some leaders place a premium on recruiting investments, commerce, and economic aid, while others are more concerned with preserving their countries’ sovereignty and independence.
Chinese Premier and Ethiopia’s then-Prime Minister at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for a signing ceremony in 2017 | Photo Credit: AP; South China Morning Post
For example, African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia have been proactive in pursuing collaborations with other entities, notably China, as they place premiums on investments, commerce and economic aid. Ethiopia has become one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies during the last two decades, and Chinese investments have played a crucial part in this change. China began offering financial and technical help for infrastructure projects in Ethiopia in the early 2000s. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, a 752-kilometre electrified railway that connects Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, to the Port of Djibouti, was finished in 2018. The railway has considerably enhanced transportation and commerce linkages, increasing Ethiopia’s access to global markets. Ethiopia’s involvement with China, however, has not been without criticism and worry. Concerns regarding debt sustainability have arisen in several African nations as a result of Chinese loans. Some analysts have voiced concerns about loan conditions and the long-term repercussions of Chinese debt. It has also been pointed out that Chinese investments do not always result in significant knowledge transfer, and there are worries regarding labour practises and working conditions in some Chinese-owned firms. Kenya has also collaborated closely with China on infrastructure development, such as the Standard Gauge Railway between Nairobi and Mombasa. On the other hand, it has also sought investments from other partners, such as Japan and the United States, in order to diversify its finance sources and prevent over-reliance on a single nation. Africa’s reliance on foreign aid can also sometimes make it difficult to preserve itself and pursue its own goals. Aid conditionality, in which donor countries impose certain conditions or policies in exchange for financial aid, has the potential to constrain Africa’s policy space and hamper its self-determination. Balancing humanitarian needs with policy autonomy is a constant struggle for many African governments. Notably, the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) were mandatory for African countries entering into agreements with international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These programs often included policy measures like fiscal austerity, currency devaluation and privatisation. While designed to stabilise economies and promote economic growth, SAPs have also led to concerns about diminished policy autonomy.
On the other hand, African countries such as Tanzania and Zimbabwe took a strong stance towards safeguarding natural resources and sovereignty. In the case of Tanzania, former President John Magufuli took bold steps in confronting multinational mining companies by demanding favourable terms for the country, highlighting the country’s commitment in ensuring its resources benefit its citizens and the nation’s development. Africa’s route to become a global superpower is dependent on capitalising on the benefits of international collaboration while reducing the challenges that might come with it. By doing so, African nations may harness foreign assistance to foster economic growth, improve human capital, promote regional integration, and solve critical concerns, all while retaining agency and self-determination on the world arena. As Africa rises, a balanced and deliberate approach to foreign aid will be critical in defining a rich and sustainable future for the continent and its people.
External actors’ engagement within African countries might raise concerns about sovereignty and autonomy, since these nations must protect their decision-making powers and retain agency in crafting their development objectives. Achieving a balanced strategy that maximises the advantages of foreign aid while protecting national interests is critical for Africa’s long-term prosperity. Political diplomacy, negotiation, and strategic alliances can help African nations gain diplomatic clout, attract investments, and facilitate commercial deals. Recent instances demonstrate the value of diplomacy in the region’s global posture such as the China-Africa Cooperation. In recent years, it’s involvement with China has gained significance. China has emerged as a key commercial partner, investor, and infrastructure developer in Africa. The Forum on China-Africa Collaboration (FOCAC) is a platform for political conversation and collaboration between China and Africa. African governments have gained investments in infrastructure, industry, and technology through strategic alliances.
However, in certain circumstances, African governments have been asked to give vital assets as security for loans, such as ports or natural resources. This practice, known colloquially as “debt diplomacy,” has prompted concerns about the loss of control over critical assets and resources. One such example was when African governments were required to offer vital assets such as natural resources and infrastructure as collaterals for loans from certain lenders, particularly China. Another example is the South-South Cooperation. Africa’s involvement with other emerging sectors has grown. Brazil, India, and Turkey have established economic, political, and cultural links with African states. These collaborations promote information exchange, capacity building, and investment possibilities across a variety of industries. However, the potential rise of Africa through these means also pose challenges. The continent’s strategic position and availability of natural resources make it a target for geopolitical competition among the major world powers. The resultant rivalry has the potential to exacerbate tensions and impair Africa’s ability to shape its own economic path.
Illustration of China and the United States competing for mineral-rich central Africa | Photo Credit: Kakuen Lau
For example, China and the United States’ battle for influence in Africa has created significant worries about debt sustainability, resource exploitation, and possible political dependency. Foreign organisations, including governments and businesses, have amassed considerable land and natural resource holdings in various African countries. Large-scale land purchases for agricultural, mining, or other reasons have occasionally occurred with little consultation or consideration of local populations’ rights and interests. Such agreements have prompted concerns about land tenure, environmental sustainability, and the influence on local lives, which might lead to a loss of sovereignty over land and resources. It should be noted that the influence of international cooperation on sovereignty varies greatly depending on the individual agreements, settings, and governance practices in each African country. That is, while international collaboration may be beneficial, African leaders must carefully analyse the terms and conditions of agreements in order to defend national interests and sovereignty. Transparent and inclusive decision-making procedures are required to achieve a balance between the advantages of collaboration and the preservation of a country’s independence and autonomy.
Further Action
Africa’s rise should interest us as it presents a pivotal moment with far-reaching ramifications for the global community. An emerging, vital actor in the global arena, it is making tremendous achievements in economic growth, technical improvement, and regional integration — a prominence that has brought with it both possibilities and problems. Africa’s prospective economic rise has the ability to open up a massive consumer market, provide new investment possibilities, and stimulate innovation and long-term development. However, the process of Africa’s rise is fraught with dangers such as geopolitical competition, environmental issues, and questions about sovereignty and debt sustainability.
In conclusion, the trajectory of Africa’s ascent carries profound implications for the future of global development and cooperation.
As it surmounts developmental obstacles and strives to realise its ambitions of attaining worldwide superpower status, the ripple effects will extend far beyond its borders. The ongoing transformation of this diverse continent, rich in resources, culture, and innovation, holds the promise of unlocking new economic frontiers, spurring technological advancements, and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations.
It is crucial to view Africa’s rise through a nuanced lens. The challenges this rise poses, ranging from the need to ensure inclusive growth, to addressing environmental sustainability and navigating geopolitical complexities, mean the global community should approach Africa’s rise with a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility. By fostering equitable trade relationships, supporting sustainable development initiatives, and engaging in constructive dialogues, we can collectively amplify the positive impact of Africa’s ascent. The narrative of Africa’s rise invites us all to become stakeholders in its success, forging a future where the continent’s achievements enrich not only its own people but also contribute to the well-being of the entire global community.
