adminAfrica has been made to dispose of its natural resources unwillingly to Western colonisers first, then in post-colonial times Africa was forced to sell its goods to former colonisers on terms determined by the buyer and not the seller.
Most of Africa’s resources have, in both colonial and post-colonial times been taken almost for free, on terms determined by Western European governments who deliberately and cruelly arm-twisted African leaders.
Unlike former colonisers in Western Europe, who until today, are largely exploitative, combative and confrontational, China came to Africa with a business model that suggested a win, win situation.
The biggest advantage of dealing with China has been that its products are varied from those cheap and affordable to the poor to the high quality and expensive, only affordable to the rich. For economies in a crisis this kind of business is functional.
Another aspect of China is that it does not use bully tactics and that in most cases it assisted liberation movements that fought Europe but did not immediately ask for payback, like what Western Europe, normally does.
Despite “the warm relation” with China, African leaders should start thinking about diversifying their foreign partners, because the region is unconsciously and gradually drawn into the political orbit of Beijing. Other fair players like Russia, Japan and Iran should also be given equal opportunity to invest in Africa because putting all eggs in one basket is never a good idea.
Africa should also start contemplating how far the Chinese bubble will go without bursting. Not that the Chinese are really bad but Africa should start casting its nets wide and far, to get the best out of the world so that the Chinese are given competition.
Also, the exclusive expansion of Chinese business in the region undermines the development of Africa’s production of its own goods.
Gaining access to the African resources China simultaneously stimulates its economy. Many Chinese moved to Africa for permanent residence and due to that China is reducing population pressure in the country.
But the problem here is that these “immigrants” have an advantage in getting jobs at African-Chinese enterprises, while the unemployment rates among indigenous populations in some countries of the continent has already reached 80 poercent.
The main benefit for China to co-operate with Africa is that by getting rid of the dollar paper and American securities, Beijing gets real assets in terms of mineral resources in mining joint ventures.
On yet another note, the ongoing competition between US and China for influence in Africa, and for its resources detrimentally affects the internal stability of the region. Africa has the vast and untapped natural resources that have become the bull’s eye of world natural resources exploitation.
There is no doubt that Europe has identified Africa’s natural resources as critical to its future development.
The discovery of more diamond deposits, coal, platinum and gas in Africa, put the continent on the eye of a storm pitting US and China.
But this discovery must instead give Africa the upper hand to negotiate and find better markets for its natural resources with the best bidder in terms of both quality and price, winning.
But in the final analysis, China must be given competition by other players like Russia and Japan, because this makes the Chinese do the best and offer the best.
Any player without competition tends to relax. A relaxed player or service provider normally ends up taking the market for granted and offering the worst service.
So far, the Chinese have been good in many parts of Africa but they are largely beginning to get relaxed, hence the need to check their systems buy engaging other fair play countries in the whole spectrum of business.
Dr Gushi Nidineda is a political scientist based in South Africa. He writes for DayAfrica.com
Online Reporter