It was in a Parisian metro (subway / tube) that I eavesdropped on a conversation between a group of young interracial men… The South Asian gentleman addressing the two blackmen said “…you are simply not being hired because your roots are easily traced to a continent synonymous to misery…” one of the black guys said “but i am Carribean” the other blackman shot back, “you idiot, who cares? You’re black!” …Another gentleman in the group, this time an East Asian continued “you know the Japanese and Chinese had to prove their economic value to steer clear of social ridicule and a total disrespect for our culture…!” I thought it was an interesting conversation.
It was in a Parisian metro (subway / tube) that I eavesdropped on a conversation between a group of young interracial men… The South Asian gentleman addressing the two blackmen said “…you are simply not being hired because your roots are easily traced to a continent synonymous to misery…” one of the black guys said “but i am Carribean” the other blackman shot back, “you idiot, who cares? You’re black!” …Another gentleman in the group, this time an East Asian continued “you know the Japanese and Chinese had to prove their economic value to steer clear of social ridicule and a total disrespect for our culture…!” I thought it was an interesting conversation.
China’s transition from a closed and uncompromising communist regime to a force to reckon with in international trade is one that deserves a laudatory notice, no matter what. The Chinese, though, had an advantage: It is one country. A country that is in itself a continent. China and India, both with continental populations, respectively, have the governance it takes to negotiate sound commercial agreements whilst a very fragmented Africa could not pride itself on the subject matter even on the local level .
If Africa’s inability to maintain sustainable governance was problematic to individual national growths, the notion of an effective regional economic cohesion was, in effect, quite the hopeless ambition the idea promised.
The bygone era
Cutting indiscriminately through national lines whilst drawing geographical boundries without any respect for history, ethnicities, religion or culture by virtue of the power of the barrel of the gun, left friends and foes bundled together under the same imperialist umbrella. Control was maintained not only by arms but by also positioning themselves as colonial masters.
It is therefore logical to envision imminent danger as soon as this control is removed from this ‘artificial’ territory.
Individual territories had not collaborated in commercial deals, during colonisation, and apart from their old masters, former colonies were at sea as to whom to trade with. Besides, all they had to offer was the same unrefined products that had been pillaged from them. Without any industries to refine nor competition for these natural resources they remained “slaves” to the dictates of their old colonial masters.
The situation did not get better when one “government” was ousted after another in their search to become as powerful as the monarchies that had ruled over them, coupled with corruption and nepotism… these events, dare i say, did little to hamper the flow of raw materials to the ‘masters’. So big was the power they held that they even determined prices, leaving africans to produce more with scanty materials whilst gaining little, thus enhancing greed and fueling corruption.
Competition
That, however, almost belongs to the bygone era now… China has introduced competition on the continent and has the former colonial masters shifting uncomfortably from their institutional misprize.
And they have to move fast because the U.S. has been upping their relations with Africa. In fact, they have decided to take 25% of their oil from Africa to reduce their dependance on the middle east, whilst, Africa – Chinese trade has increased five fold in the past five years to over $50 billion last year. The Chinese Africa summit of 2006 sealed their new found friendship with promises of yet more money.
Last year, the global market saw the dow jones industrial average recording a return of 4.6%, the emerging markets index recorded a 33.4% advance while the Sub-Saharan index returned 64.7%.
On the Move
The old masters need a plan and they have to move fast !
Last year in efforts to woo Africa, Europe tried to relaunch its relations from the very place where it had all begun. Lisbon, Portugal (1415), where ships set off to “TRADE” with Africa. Economic Partnership Agreements – the name of trade deals – arguably tailored to enhance development, were presented. They offer Africa complete access to the European market whilst allowing it to keep 20% of its domestic market closed for the sake of their delicate domestic industry. This deal was to be finalised ASAP! By the end of the year!
Africa’s Plan of Action
Nigeria and South Africa, both by far leading economies on the continent, retorted, saying that, they were being bullied into signing deals before they were ready.
It is therefore not surprising that one of AU’s top agenda for this year includes discussions seeking to galvanise Africa’s unity on industrialisation and international negotiations and above all an agreement on not selling raw materials cheaply as well the manufacturing of their own products.
Africa’s will to spur interafrican investments is strong. But for now investments from all and sundry are still welcome.
“Nigeria is becoming a beautiful bride. What is happening is that the Chinese the Koreans, everyone is coming around, and if European companies do not wake up, they will see that most of the best businesses are taken. For us, really, whoever gives the best terms, the best conditions, and is willing to come and invest, those are the ones that we’ll do business with.” Said the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Shamsudeen Usman.
Africa has come a long way yet. They have had their fair share of scorn and cold shoulder from the west, but that is about to change for the better. The gold rush is soon over as Africans grasp a deep understanding of their potential.
