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08.03.2014 Feature Article

China-Africa and the Quest for Smart Wins

China-Africa and the Quest for Smart Wins
08.03.2014 LISTEN

Tanzania's Prof. Mwesiga Baregu once argued that the use of the image of “village” and “jungle” have decisive implications for Africa's choice and strategy for action. Analysts discussing Chinese interests in Africa's natural resources have centered on “win-win” possibilities. A “win-win” mentality is anchored on the “global village” image where external interests are expected to drive positive change in Africa. Analogous to life in a typical traditional African village; responsibility is readily transferred to the one viewed as the capable other.

The Chinese, who are viewed as the new “capable other” have employed smart moves to woo Africa from the traditional Western grip. Their most attractive move has been their apparent disinterest in paternalism or “non interference” in the internal affairs of African nation-states. The Chinese have rebranded the African continent as a place of opportunity and growth unlike the West's views of Africa as a region in need of perpetual help. They have spread the Forum on China – Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) evenly across the continent and offered the continent a diplomatic counter-balance to the West. The Chinese treat the entire African continent as a single counterpart in comparison to the Westerners who are keen to address individual nation-states.

In trade terms, the Chinese now rank as Africa's largest trade partner. Bilateral trade between China and Africa was estimated at USD 200 billion in 2013. By 2012, the Chinese had built over 270 infrastructure projects in 51 out of 55 African countries. Over 5,000 African students receive scholarships to China every year. The value of new Chinese contracts signed in 2013 hit USD 43 billion up by 40% from 2012 figures.

From a “global jungle” perspective, it is not China's responsibility to deliver a win for Africa. Africa's wealth in natural resources has for centuries attracted external powers to the continent with the carrot of “wins.” The resultant effect has always been Africans on the run from slavers in the 17th century and from skewed global market systems that prohibit value addition on the continent in the 21st century. Africans need to adopt the imagery of surviving a “global jungle” where all interactions are driven by cut-throat interests. The ultimate goal of all external powers' involvement in Africa is to satiate their short term and long term commercial and security interests.

According to Prof. Baregu, a village is a low risk space: caring; inclusive; regulated by rules; communal and driven by honesty, among other attributes. A jungle is a high risk space: hostile and ferocious; restrictive; competitive; full of trickery; materialistic; individualistic and regulated by power as opposed to rules. To survive and navigate its way in the global jungle, Africa urgently needs to put in place a strategy or galvanizing philosophy on which to leverage as it engages China and the rest of the world.

The Arabs who colonized the East coast of Africa were armed with religion and the board game of “Bao.” The game of “Bao” is about count and capture. The Europeans came to Africa armed with religion and the Poker and Chess games. A Poker winner is determined by the ranks, combination of their cards and what they are able to hide to the end of the game. Chess is a game of check and capture through long term positioning and immediate tactical maneuvers. The Chinese are revisiting Africa (After 600 years of Zheng Khe's East Coast voyages) armed with the Confucius philosophy and “Go” board game. Go is a Chinese encircling game. Where is the African game?

Africans should utilize their 600 years plus memory of interacting with other civilizations to evolve an African game of strategy. The purpose of such a game will be to create a galvanizing philosophy and strategy for the continent. The philosophy and strategy so evolved will facilitate skills in navigating multilateral engagement with all global powers. To deliver on its strategy, Africans have to grow their own development models, plans and processes. It is important to cultivate the culture of know-how and know-why. Africa cannot achieve smart wins if it continues on its course into the global jungle without a clear strategy.

By James Shikwati,
The author [email protected] is Director of Inter Region Economic Network and Publisher of the African Executive. This opinion piece summarizes Mr. Shikwati's ZIAF Lecture 2014 delivered at the Goethe University – Frankfurt.

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