Is Africa about to implode? (3)

diplomatic shuttle from EU to Africa and not vice versa? There is no doubt that the EU has only just woken up to the realisation that the rug of Africa was already being pulled off under EU’s feet. It is just a matter of time and Europe would have become alienated from Africa as new suitors take hold and Africa tended toward the East – whether to China, Japan or Russia. According to a recent report, China invested $2.96 billion in Africa in 2020, up 9.5 per cent from 2019. About $2.66 billion of that sum was non-financial direct investment. The EU, therefore, appears poised to outspend China on Africa as it now promises “to catalyse investments in three categories,” namely: infrastructure, health as well as electricity interconnection and energy access, with energy described as “the top priority.” She mentioned what she called “the pathway to renewable energy and, of course, the transition towards renewable energy,” arguing that “sustained economic development hinges on reliable access to energy.”

It will be reassuring to see the EU translating some of these highsounding ambitious promises to Africa into realities in few years’ time. On energy, for instance, von der Leyen observed that “Africa has solar, wind and hydropower in abundance. So let us build on that. Let us invest in Global Gateway projects, for example to build together green hydrogen capacity. And let us discuss the transition, how to get there.” Before Africa falls for these mouth-watering promises, it is important to introspect and figure out what were the possible motives of the EU in these areas that it seems to have just suddenly realised as good for inter-regional assistance. Her acknowledgement that “about 600 million people without access to electricity,” which she described as “a real challenge” and her belief that, “together, we can make the difference” should be thoroughly examined. This is because Africa has become a beautiful bride that now attracts various suitors. It takes discretion for Africa to flow with the right one in this context.

In her litany of promises, von der Leyen made a point about the “need to invest in transport corridors like roads and railways and waterways. It is the connection of energy, electricity and transport that opens, widely opens, the door to the African Free Trade Area. Or take the digital transition: This is where the new model of economic productivity lies.” She said of her Dakar experience that what young entrepreneurs need is access to the internet to develop their brilliant ideas. She then talked about “focus on connecting Europe and Africa via submarine cables, and Africa’s regions via terrestrial cables. And also satellite communication, it covers both our continent, to indeed bring high-performance broadband to the remote regions.” She said the young African entrepreneurs need access to capital, investment in connectivity and in skills and investments in micro, small and medium enterprises. Thus, she said, “with Global Gateway, we will heavily invest in Technical Vocational and Education Training. Global Gateway is here to invest in the talent of Africa.” Sounds great, doesn’t she? But time will prove. And a few years will be enough to make reference to these comments and quotes and to make a scorecard on the EU.

The new thinking of the EU needs to be put into context in time and unfolding global events. “I cherish the vision of two continents working hand in hand to improve the world we live in,” von der Leyen added. But this is not the first time the EU and Africa would have something to do together officially. What happened to the ACP-EU arrangement on which Europe, Caribbean and Africa spent years to articulate and communicate? Why has Africa not made much progress on it after many years? What is the EU doing to curtail the flow of political and economic migrants from Africa? According to the UN, as at December 2021, at least 30,000 migrants were stranded at borders in West Africa while fleeing poverty, violence and armed attacks. Also in November 2021, some 14,800 refugees and migrants reportedly arrived in Europe through both the Western Mediterranean and Northwest Africa, which would ultimately add to the budgetary strain, social stress and economic burden for destination countries. It is important for the EU to deal with the causes of the migration, particularly bad governments, conflicts, droughts, poverty and unemployment in Africa.

Proximity between Africa and the EU is one major reason why the EU needs to step up its development interventions in Africa. The EU therefore needs to help Africa, which will in turn help the

EU to be free from violence and vices associated with immigrants. Many of the points raised by von der Leyen can succeed in achieving any of these goals if diligently pursued. Unlocking the opportunities in Africa’s agriculture can provide steady flow of tropical foods in the EU upon mutually agreed terms, especially EurepGAP. Creation of export corridors will therefore boost Africa’s agroeconomy, create jobs for people and less tendency to violence and migration. Whether the nice ideas earlier mentioned will trickle down to the level of common people in Africa remains a big challenge as some projects will very likely be scuttled or may not get to the grassroots except implementers bypass corrupt government officials and politicians.

Without proper checks and balances, therefore, EU’s planned intervention may end up on paper as mere intentions and wishful thinking. The rot in Africa may therefore continue while the EU continues to hobnob with corrupt African leaders, despots and tyrants. There is still a long way to go if Africa must be transformed into an economic force to reckon with. Before the EU begins to complain about a relationship that is not working, it is important to do a thorough homework on how to help Africa such that the material and financial support from the former does not slip into wrong hands while the latter continues to wallow in poverty, insecurity, poor health and environmental degradation. It is up to von der Leyen, the EU and the AU officials that are set to broker these new deals to make a real difference and help make Africa prosperous and free from its present challenges.