Africa Needs What the A.U. Already Is: Unity
Over the past 5 years, I’ve been to 1 country in Northern Africa: Morocco, and 9 countries in Southern and East Africa: Botswana, eSwatini (previously Swaziland), Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
I’ve traveled by myself, with friends, and with family. I’ve gone for both work and pleasure. I’m a lucky duck for sure and have learned so much.
While I’ve only been to a small subset of the 54 countries on the African continent, my perception and understanding of Africa, the regions I’ve visited, the friends I’ve made, and the conversations I would like to engage in about Africa moving forward, have drastically evolved.
I’m not an expert on “Africa”.
But I do hope to be a humble ambassador of what I’ve learned so far.
What’s the ONE big message that must be shared about Africa?
The most prevalent, important, and recurring theme I’ve heard, especially from young Africans (35 and under), is the desire for unity and solidarity among African States.
The African Union (AU), is at the forefront of this mission and is guided by their vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
Why is there a need for unity in Africa?
A big reason is because of how colonialism has impacted and influenced the development of countless nations across the African continent. For centuries, countries have been meddling in Africa. As a result, African nations were chopped up and political borders were drawn in a way that was advantageous to the colonizers (mostly Western European countries), but not in a way that necessarily made sense for the African people.
Additionally, while many African nations have reclaimed their independence, the negative effects of colonialism and apartheid is still present in people’s day-to-day lives. For example, in South Africa, the top 1% of South Africans own 70.9% of the nation’s wealth. Meanwhile the bottom 60% of South Africans, who are majority black Africans, control only 7% of the country’s wealth (Source).
Obviously, this is not cool.
For more information about the history of colonization in Africa, please watch this enlightening video by the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao.
What is Happening in Africa Today?
Today, we are seeing a new version of modern-day colonialism, where companies and countries are utilizing new strategies to invest in Africa.
For instance, China’s international infrastructure policy agenda is greatly influencing development across many African nations. According to a Deloitte Insights article, the China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation Plan is to be co-written by China and the AU. The goal is to create mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties, and develop Africa’s sustainable development capacity.
This is really great because infrastructure, like bridges and roads, can facilitate the improved flow of people, ideas, goods, prosperity, and more.
However, there are some mixed feelings about China’s intentions and impact to the continent.
I remember traveling through Uganda earlier this year, and wondering why China was motivated to build a road in the middle of a national park. It turns out, the road was not only going to connect two regions together, but also provide China access to valuable oil reserves within the park. In the middle of a breathtakingly beautiful national park, I couldn’t help but wonder… Do we really want China (or any other country, for that matter) drilling for oil in the same places where our elephants, lions, giraffes, and buffalos currently roam?
Meanwhile in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, there are several Chinese infrastructure projects underway. As I understood it from the locals, there seems to be some nuanced hostility towards the Chinese because these infrastructure projects don’t necessarily create lasting job opportunities for the Namibian workforce. In countries like Namibia where approximately 1 out of 3 Namibians are unemployed, losing out on job opportunities to foreign workers doesn’t exactly create a warm and welcoming atmosphere towards foreigners (Source).
Additionally, when negotiating these infrastructure contracts with large nations like China, many of the smaller African nations simply don’t have the leverage to negotiate deals on a global stage
How does a small land-locked country with a population of 8 million people like Rwanda approach trade and negotiations with a behemoth of a country like China, which has a population of 1.4 BILLION people?
My friend from Namibia simply pointed out that, “If an African nation negotiates with China on it’s own, they won’t get the best deal possible because China has all of the leverage and power.”
What if a coalition of African nations negotiated deals with China together instead?
The outcome would probably be very different. This sentiment, this desire, and this NEED for unity across Africa makes me wonder…
- How will Africans address the inequalities and injustices created by colonialism and apartheid today?
- How can African nations compete against on the world stage against dominant global superpowers?
- How does Africa and the AU ensure that they are in charge of how they develop and grow their people and nations?
As Africa continues to unify, develop, and progress, I hope that the narrative is primarily championed and controlled by the African people.
Who Should Be Building Africa’s Future?
Recently, I attended the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit in Washington D.C., where over 700 Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) fellows come together from all across Africa. The Summit reminded of how Africans exude an infectious energy, filled with love, warmth, and intelligence.
By 2055, the continent’s youth population (aged 15-24), is expected to be more than double the 2015 total of 226 million. (Source). While this poses its own set of social and political issues, it also means that there will be a huge population of young African leaders ready to change the world for the better.
It is these types of ambitious, thoughtful, and young leaders that will be positively impacting their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries across the continent. As these visionaries and changemakers shape the future of Africa, I also look forward to following their journey and supporting the existing friendships and partnerships I’ve made so far.
Additionally, I hope to continue conversations about how we can be mindful of what role we play in Africa’s development. Let’s stop making assumptions about what Africa wants (based on our Western values, privileges, mainstream media, etc.) and make sure to consciously listen to these young African leaders. We must deepen our understanding about what Africa really needs and how we can support, not exploit, the immense potential of the continent.
What do you think?
What roles can both African and non-African individuals, organizations, and nations play in the development and progress of Africa?
