By: Spiked

A recent analysis argues that the global economic balance is shifting decisively away from the West and towards Africa, a transition being actively orchestrated by China to replace American global leadership.

China's Strategic Foothold in Africa

The article posits that China's engagement in Africa is the most comprehensive since the colonial era, driven by several key factors:

Resources: China has secured preferential access to Africa's critical minerals, which are essential for modern technology, including over 70% of the world's cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Agriculture: China is investing heavily in Africa's vast uncultivated arable land to ensure its own long-term food security.

Demographics: As China's population ages and declines, Africa's is projected to double by 2050, providing a future global workforce.

Contrasting Approaches: China vs. The West

The analysis contrasts China's pragmatic, infrastructure-focused approach with a perceived Western retreat. It notes that US trade with Africa has plummeted, diplomatic missions have been reduced, and Western media presence has weakened. Meanwhile, China-Africa trade has grown significantly, and China has built extensive diplomatic and media influence across the continent. The article also suggests that the West's promotion of a "green agenda" is at odds with African nations' desire to use fossil fuels for development.

Challenges and Opportunities for the West

The authors acknowledge flaws in China's model, citing debt distress in African nations and the importation of Chinese labor instead of employing local workers. They conclude that the West has a critical window of opportunity to re-engage with Africa by offering investment and partnerships based on democratic governance and market economies, rather than ceding the continent's vast potential entirely to Chinese influence.