BIGSOLAR
Africa's Liberation Must Become Economic
Africa Unchained is ultimately a story about power-not merely the power to govern a country, but the power to determine what a continent does with its land, resources, people, knowledge and future.
For centuries, Africa has occupied a complicated position in the global system. Before European expansion, African civilizations developed kingdoms, cities, trade networks, intellectual traditions and powerful economic systems. European exploration later opened a new era of commercial contact, missionary activity and eventually territorial conquest. The Scramble for Africa transformed the continent's political geography and connected African economies to an international system largely designed around the interests of European powers.
Colonialism left behind more than borders. It left economic structures in which Africa frequently exported raw materials while importing finished products. Gold, diamonds, cocoa, cotton, oil, copper, rubber and other resources became valuable commodities in international markets, but African societies often captured only a fraction of the final value.
Political independence changed the flags, governments and national identities, but economic independence proved far more difficult.
The emergence of America as a global superpower added another dimension. During the Cold War, African countries became strategically important to competing global powers. The United States, Soviet Union and European countries pursued influence for political, military and economic reasons. Africa was sometimes treated as a partner, sometimes as a strategic battlefield and sometimes as a market.
Yet the story cannot be reduced to foreign exploitation.
Africa's own leadership failures have also contributed enormously to its difficulties. Corruption, authoritarianism, weak institutions, poor infrastructure, political instability, inadequate education, capital flight and ineffective economic policies.