Africa and its people have been treated differently by both Western and Eastern countries of the world. However, in recent years the West seems to be becoming more and more involved with developing Africa, while the East has always seemed to want to exploit Africa’s resources. Is there one of these approaches that is better than the other?

A look at Africa from the perspective of a Chinese person

China has been taking advantage of Africa since ancient times, and what China did in Africa was as bad as what Western colonialists did to Africa in modern times. When China began joining the global trading system in recent years, many African leaders believed it could be an opportunity to transform China’s relationship with Africa from one of exploitation to partnership. However, so far, there is little evidence to suggest that this is working out well for them. So, it is not surprising that some Africans are very critical of the China-Africa relationship; however, some people think that blaming only China would be wrong because all countries are taking advantage of each other—China is just doing what other countries do as well.

A look at Africa from the perspective of an American/European person

And, though there is much to discuss regarding Western aid in Africa, let’s look at it from another perspective: Europe and America aren’t preventing African success; instead, they are making it difficult for them to achieve it. The way Western nations approach trade makes it extremely difficult for Africans to succeed in any sort of business venture, as these nations control much of their export supply chains. However, there is also an opportunity here that could spark change within some emerging economies, notably Ghana.

Does China genuinely intend to help Africa?

China is one of Africa’s largest trading partners, but there has been little scrutiny on what Chinese companies are doing on the continent. A new report by two Dutch research organizations, Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and Transnational Institute (TNI), has found that China is using its economic clout to advance its geopolitical goals in Africa at the expense of the U.S., European Union, World Bank, and African Union. The report focuses specifically on oil companies — China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) and Sinopec — and their investment practices across multiple African countries, including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Sudan and Ethiopia. The study identifies several instances where Chinese oil interests have led to human rights violations.

America and Europe want to help, but what are they doing about it?

Americans should not assume that their help is needed in solving African issues, because in many cases, it is not helping at all; instead, it is holding back growth and development by infusing politics with economic aid. Many Africans are saying no more to political handouts by developed nations. For example, China builds infrastructure projects that do not require subsidies from foreign governments — roads and bridges can be built without outside investment. However, most Western-funded infrastructure projects require donor money that comes with conditions about how it is spent. However, one thing both sides agree on is improving education and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, which has shown a dramatic decrease in birth rates.

A look at Africa from the perspective of an African person

I beg to differ while seated in a remote part of Africa. If only you’d swap the words, placing East for West and China for West. Before the Chinese arrived in Kenya following the 2002 elections, the new administration turned East due to Western sanctions. Kenyans took pride in a road built by Italian prisoners during World War II from Nairobi to Kisumu by hand; repairs had only worsened it, along with a railway built by the British in the late 1800s that was no longer operational. The Chinese changed Kenya’s development landscape in four years. In 2007, the West sponsored ethnic strife that nearly brought Kenya down as they tried to dislodge the Chinese.

Western nations have been plundering and pillaging our lands for over three centuries now. This has been brought to an abrupt halt and is slowly coming to an end, having been stalled for 25 years since China entered the scene. The West was taking “Sweet Oil” from Libya. When Qaddafi invited the Chinese and they started drilling in the south of the country, the West began a severe social media campaign demonizing Qaddafi, started a war whose first mission was to drive the Chinese out of Libya, then murdered Qaddafi and utterly destroyed Libya.

Today, they plunder Libyan natural resources without paying a dime after turning the country into ruins. France is paid a colonial levy by all African countries it colonized. Any of the presidents who try to rebel are brutally murdered Sankara style or grabbed from bed naked with their wife at night by French Marines to be locked in the Hague Gbagbo style. The British crafted a treaty that stipulated no country in the upper parts would benefit from the Nile water, except Egypt in the lower part, long before those countries were established.

Ethiopia attempted to construct a dam on the Blue Nile but was met with warnings about the potential repercussions. Currently, there is a conflict that threatens the stability of Ethiopia and Libya, reminiscent of the turmoil seen in Somalia. The West has had a hand in destabilizing nations like Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Zimbabwe, with Mali under scrutiny and Nigeria facing uncertainties. In stark contrast, China has spearheaded unprecedented development in Africa over the past 20 years, eclipsing the exploitative legacy of Western powers that have spent over three centuries extracting resources and oppressing local populations. This shift has prompted Western media to work overtime to portray China in an unfavorable light.

However, the on-the-ground reality has shifted; the West is unlikely to replicate its past interventions in Libya and the Ivory Coast, as China has established a firm foothold, ready to navigate any challenges. The dragon is gradually empowering Africans to reclaim their destiny and achieve true independence from former colonial powers, as the specter of conflict looms over Ethiopia, echoing the struggles of Libya and Somalia.

What can other regions do to support Africa?

If you’re considering opening trade in goods and services with Africa, now is a good time to consider how to get involved in regional support. It’s not just non-profit organizations that can contribute; businesses can too, if they want to create products that benefit people on other continents while also generating business opportunities abroad. Here are some ways you might start getting involved: Find out what your product would need to look like to meet local standards (though it may be impossible to replicate it exactly)–for example, you may need an adapted version of your product: one explicitly created for Africa as opposed to one that was developed solely in America or Europe. You could also buy raw materials from developing nations.

Looking ahead to more sustainable development in Africa

The most powerful way to accelerate change in any country is to help its people reach their full potential. At Ubuntu Village, we’re constantly focused on making that happen – working closely with social entrepreneurs, supporting investors who share our vision, and providing supplemental nutrition to people in need across communities in Africa. We believe we’re just getting started, so stay tuned as Ubuntu Village continues to lead by example on sustainable development throughout Africa!-MM.

Below is a list of reputable sources that offer additional perspectives and data relevant to the themes discussed in this blog?” These sources can help you explore topics like African integration, the role of external influences on Africa’s development, and the complex interplay between regional and global forces:

1. Afrobarometer – African Integration and Public Opinion
   This analysis examines public attitudes toward regional integration in Africa, providing insights that help frame the debate about whether interactions between different regions (East, West, etc.) serve as a blessing or a hindrance.
   URL: https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/why-east-and-west-africans-are-in-favour-of-integration-and-others-arent/
2. The National Interest – East Africa: A Crucible of U.S. Diplomacy, Development, and Strategic Challenges
   This article offers insights into the strategic challenges and external influences in East Africa. It provides context on how U.S. diplomacy and global development interests impact the region—an essential piece in understanding the broader debate over external influences on Africa.
   URL: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/east-africa-crucible-us-diplomacy-development-and-strategic-challenges-214294
3. Brookings Institution – Africa’s Economic Integration and Growth Prospects
   Brookings provides in-depth analysis of economic integration within Africa and its impact on growth prospects. While the focus is mainly on intra-African dynamics, it also examines the role of external forces from both the East and the West.
   URL: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2019/11/26/africas-economic-integration-and-the-potential-for-growth/
4. World Bank – Africa Region Overview
   The World Bank provides comprehensive data and analysis on economic trends, challenges, and opportunities in Africa. Their insights on trade, infrastructure investment, and regional development help frame the debate about whether Western and Eastern influences benefit or impede progress in Africa.
   URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr
5. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – Africa Topics
   UNCTAD’s publications and analysis on Africa explore trade relationships, investment flows, and the impact of both Eastern and Western economic policies on the continent. This source offers a global perspective on how external influences are reshaping Africa’s financial landscape.
   URL: https://unctad.org/topic/africa

By examining the insights offered by these sources, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted role that both Eastern and Western influences play in Africa’s development. Whether viewed as opportunities for growth or as potential hindrances, these relationships continue to shape the continent’s trajectory in an ever-changing global environment.