The Travesty Of China And India In Africa

Observers currently make much about the presence of China and India in Africa. The investments these countries are making in African countries are increasing astronomically and it is said that these two countries are becoming major influences in the continent. In fact, a mark of the rise of China and India in the current global economy is the extent to which they invest in Africa. However, the reverse is hardly said to be case. While African countries are being acted upon they are hardly seen as actors. They are merely seen as suppliers of the natural resources that China and India need in order to become serious contenders in the global political economy. While India and China increase their global prestige by exploiting African countries, African countries seem to be standing in the same place, without any significant global influence. One should not expect anything better given that China and India have just one head of state each to negotiate for them when they come to Africa; African countries have several selfish leaders who promote their own interest each time they meet with representatives of China or India. There is something seriously wrong with the picture that is usually painted of the relation between China, India, and African countries. Africa needs a united front if it is to deal with India and China on equal terms. Else, African countries will continue to remain the source of raw materials for the development of other countries, as has been since the days of colonialism.