Historians refer to the spread of European empires over Africa during the Age of Imperialism as the “scramble for Africa.” The scramble for Africa unfolded as a series of significant events that eventually saw the African continent colonized and divided by the major European powers driven by the Second Industrial Revolution.
The scramble for Africa peaked during the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885. In search of natural resources for their expanding industrial sectors and a possible market for the commodities these factories produced, European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain, divided Africa among themselves.
Ten percent of the continent was officially ruled by Europe in 1870. By 1914, this percentage had increased to about 90%, with only Liberia and Ethiopia retaining their full sovereignty. Conflict erupted on the continent from 1884 to 1914 when these European nations seized territory and authority from existing African states and peoples.
Why Africa Matters
Globally, corporations and governments are racing to deepen their commercial, strategic and diplomatic relationships with Africa. If Africa handles this new scramble wisely, Africans will emerge as the main winners.
The level of foreign involvement in Africa is unparalleled. The largest embassy-building boom in history recently took place in Africa, as more than 320 embassies were established from 2010 to 2016. Turkey alone opened 26 embassies in Africa. India has announced plans to open 18 embassies.
In addition, military relationships are growing. Supporting the fight against jihadism in the Sahel, the United States and France are providing technology and military support. China has 45 defense-tech relationships and is the largest arms supplier to sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2014, Russia and 19 African nations have signed military agreements. Arab nations with abundant oil resources are constructing bases around the Horn of Africa.
The most powerful nations in the world are contesting with one another for control of the abundant natural riches found in Africa. Referring to the original scramble for Africa, some experts refer to this phenomenon as a “new scramble for Africa.”
Superpowers such as the United States, China, Russia and European nations, together with states such as Japan, India and Brazil, are heavily involved in Africa. Energy-rich Gulf states are likewise hurrying to consolidate their African assets to diversify their economies away from the oil and gas sector.
Foreign Military Presence in Africa
Under the pretense of counterterrorism operations, the number of foreign military personnel on the continent is also increasing. American naval and drone stations that operate in the Horn of Africa and beyond have agreed to be housed in Djibouti. Many other nations have also established military bases in the country, including a Chinese naval base, a French airbase, an Italian support base and a Japanese base. Germany and Spain provide military support to the French installation in Djibouti.
On the other hand, Somalia is currently hosting Turkish troops, and countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have erected military bases in Eritrea and Somaliland.
Africa’s Current State of Affairs
In late July 2023, the Nigerian military said on national television that President Mohamed Bazoum had been overthrown. The head of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani, headed the coup junta that declared the end of military cooperation with the French army.
France, a close comrade in the battle against terrorism in Africa, formally concluded a 10-year anti-terrorism campaign in the Sahel in December 2023 by withdrawing all of its troops. The United States attempted but ultimately was unable to continue security cooperation with Niger following the coup.
The U.S. Department of Defense recently declared that it will be pulling out most of its forces from Niger and Chad following the demands of the two African nations’ transitional governments. As per the plan, the United States will withdraw approximately 75 members of the Army Special Forces from Chad and more than 1,000 deployed members from Niger. Earlier, France was forced to withdraw its military forces from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The fact that U.S. and French troops were removed from pertinent African nations is indicative of Africa’s deep discontent with the futility of counterterrorism led by the West. In the pretext of fighting terrorism, the United States and other Western nations stationed soldiers in the Sahel, but the region’s counterterrorism situation quickly worsened.
The reasons lie in the fact that the U.S. and other Western countries are not willing to help Africa fight against terrorists in real terms but want to go all out to engage in great power competition. They are concerned that they will lose their existing spheres of influence in Africa as well.
Russian Influence in Africa
Russia is another key player in Africa. Recently, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, traveled around Africa, stopping in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and Mozambique. Lavrov also met with the African Union’s chairperson in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The other nations he traveled to were all in Southern Africa and had abundant natural resources, including cobalt, gold, copper, diamonds, oil and uranium.
Namibia and Niger are the top two producers of uranium in Africa. Several nations in this region have recruited the Russian mercenary group PMC Wagner to fill the vacuum left by French and U.S. withdrawal to train and support their forces. These countries are increasingly vocal about demanding the departure of U.S. and French troops.
This demonstrates that obtaining natural resources from Africa is Russia’s top priority rather than restoring its reputation and power from the Soviet era. In Africa, Russia is also funding military and security initiatives. It sells weapons worth billions of dollars every year all over the continent. Lavrov signed a deal with Mozambique on defense cooperation during his recent visit.
U.S. Approach in Africa
The Obama administration prioritized the Middle East over Africa regarding foreign policy. Like his predecessor, Trump prioritized the Middle East. Furthermore, Trump made several controversial remarks about Africa that many Africans and other people found to be insulting and racist, both during and after his presidential campaign.
Trump reportedly referred to African nations as “shithole countries.” Since then, this comment has come to represent his derogatory views regarding the continent of Africa and its people.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration seems little interested in developing a genuine, mutually beneficial engagement with Africa. Instead, it is only interested in pursuing its limited national interests, including counterterrorism measures and natural resource extraction.
To encourage investment in Africa and spark new agreements, U.S. officials should expand the number of reverse trade missions and arrange for the visits of African leaders. However, it is just as critical that high-ranking American officials repay the favor when visiting African nations.
Furthermore, American politicians and diplomats must make a consistent effort to visit communities affected by the diaspora. By doing this, they can ask these communities for advice and try to allay their worries about American policies in Africa. Maintaining the quality of a hometown argument regarding the relevance of Africa to America is essential.
Africa’s Response
Currently, Africa does not have a serious, unified strategy or the institutional capacity to respond to this so-called new scramble for Africa effectively. Under the direction of former Commission Chair Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the African Union unveiled an ambitious strategy framework known as Agenda 2063 in 2016. However, this agenda does not include a coherent strategy for increasing foreign presence and competition in Africa.
There is no clear plan for boosting international competitiveness and presence in Africa on this agenda. African leaders also lack the capacity and the political will to oppose foreign influence and defend the continent’s essential interests.
Conclusion
The African Union should create a comprehensive, cohesive plan that encourages cooperation rather than exploitation to address the scramble between superpowers for Africa’s natural resources. It should put substantial institutional reforms into place as soon as possible and begin taking the lead on the continent.
African governments should endeavor to reduce their financial reliance on the West, Russia, China and other global actors to fend off harmful foreign meddling and maintain their independence, dignity and sovereignty.
The West-African relationship, particularly military exchanges, is transitioning as the world experiences significant changes not seen in a century. Western countries should acknowledge Africa’s legitimate aspirations as they will unavoidably pursue flexible and independent diplomacy.
Most crucially, the days of gatekeepers in Africa’s ties with the outside world must stop. African masses, civil society, youth and women’s groups should take the lead in these relationships. Direct interaction between Africans and the outside world is both important and natural.
A new scramble for Africa might be under way, but this time the foreign powers’ interest in African nations could and should benefit Africans. Any operating foreign powers in Africa, including the United States, China and Russia, among others, should only be permitted if their activities also help the continent.
I really enjoyed reading this essay. I believe that the African Union needs to establish a national army to protect the rights and property of member nations. The future of Africa must be decided by the Africans themselves.