My TakeNo more ‘scramble for Africa’ for China and the US
- Instead of competing against each other, coordinated debt relief in the continent is one common area the two superpowers can work together on for everyone’s benefit
One of the most effective anti-China narratives propagated by the Donald Trump presidency was its “debt-trap” diplomacy in Africa, which came with a general misunderstanding that China had become the continent’s biggest creditor.
It’s fascinating how both narratives took root precisely when China was actually cutting back on the most “reckless” phase of its financial and aid diplomacy in the continent. Demonising China may help the strategic goals of the United States, but it will not help the developing nations there.
This will be a tragedy because in the past decade, many African nations have made great strides in economic development. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has reversed many of the gains. The war in Ukraine has made conditions worse, particularly those in the sub-Saharan continent.
What’s good for Africa is good for the world
This is a particularly dangerous time for Africans. It’s estimated that at least 22 low-income African countries- almost half of the nations in the continent – are either in debt distress or at high risk of it. According to a new report by Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, “the overall situation is likely to worsen over 2023 and limit the ability of many African nations to raise the necessary finance both to deliver broader social improvements for their populations and respond to climate change”.
This is a crisis, but also an opportunity. China and the West, led by the United States, are jockeying for influence across the continent. African countries could once again become playthings of the great powers; or with much greater experience and resources than during the heyday of European imperialism, they may seek to benefit from the rival blocs.
In the 21st century, I think it’s a generally true proposition that what’s good for Africa is also good for China and the West, at least in the long term, but what’s good for China or the West is not necessarily good for Africa.
Speaking at a summit in Washington last week, US President Joe Biden told leaders from 49 African nations that America “is all in on Africa” and promised US$55 billion in investments in the next three years. Supposedly, the investments will cover infrastructure, agriculture, energy, health systems, information technology and security.