Decades after the end of slavery and colonialism, a new scramble for Africa is unfolding. Global powers like the United States, Russia, and China are vying for influence, promising partnerships that often prioritize their own interests over Africa’s.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has delivered massive infrastructure projects but left many African nations grappling with unsustainable debt, threatening their sovereignty.
Russia, meanwhile, is expanding its presence through military alliances and private contractors like the Wagner Group. In Mali and the Central African Republic, Wagner has supplanted French forces, trading security for access to gold and diamond resources.
These deals often disregard human rights and democratic principles, bolstering juntas in exchange for loyalty.
Since 2020, coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have disrupted West Africa’s democratic progress. Facing Western sanctions, these military regimes have turned to Russia and China for support. In Burkina Faso, military ruler Ibrahim Traoré has cultivated a pan-Africanist image, positioning himself as a defender against Western imperialism.
His alignment with Russia has disrupted Western companies’ access to mineral resources, though the country maintains a positive economic outlook, with growth projected at 4.1% in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025, according to the African Development Bank.
However, inflation persists due to supply chain challenges.
As BRICS expands and global power dynamics shift, Africa risks becoming a geopolitical pawn. To avoid this, regional bodies like the African Union and ECOWAS must strengthen their roles in security and economic negotiations.
African nations should demand transparent, equitable partnerships that prioritize long-term development over short-term gains.
Africa’s future must be shaped by Africans. The new scramble need not repeat the exploitation of the past, but only if the continent leads with unity and resolve.