Unfortunately, according to available statistics, Africa as a continent imported about 50 million tons of wheat in 2021, out of which Ukraine supplied 12% or 6 million tons valued at $3-6billion.
At the same time, Russia supplied about 10% or 5 million tons valued at $2.8 billion.
As for maize in the same year, Africa imported 25 million tons out of which 4% or 1 million tons was supplied by Ukraine at a value of $500 million, while Russia supplied about 3% or 750,000 tons valued at $375million.
This is an unfortunate statistics given the fact that we can grow, consume and export much more maize, wheat and other farm produce, processed or semi processed agro-raw materials as enabled by good weather and vast agricultural land measuring about 1,119 million hectares or 40% of the continent’s total land area.
Nigeria pledges to support foreign investors at Russia-Afruca summit
Be that as it is: both countries in hot war are presently courting Africa for ‘influence’ both in arms sale and economic cooperation, how then can we take optimal advantage of the situation?
Meanwhile, according to the Russian government, 17 African heads of state and government attended the recently concluded Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on July 27-28, 2023.
It is important to note that the summit was seen as an opportunity to strengthen Russia’s tie with Africa particularly in the wake of the ongoing war and Russia’s ambition to increase its assertiveness given the hindsight of the Soviet Union era.
On the one hand, the African leaders from Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso and Congo, others include Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea and Guinea Bissau, Libya and Mali; all said their visit to Russia was to discuss the war and the grain deal debacle and possibly climate change.
On the other hand, the UK, France, China and the US are also vying for economic, political and military influence in Africa.
Principally, the US is promoting trade and investment especially in the technology and science and is eager to access Africa’s natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals and timber.
Politically, the US is unbridled in promoting democracy to counter the influence of China and Russia in their effort to push some African countries into autocracy.
In the military sphere, the US, France and UK who had for years influenced the training of African soldiers and as such have leverage over the weapons Africans use and therefore hold enormous influence over African military establishments, are beginning to see the influences eroded by cheaper equipments and munitions from China and shadowy trainings from the Wagner Private Army owned by the ruler of Russia and his proxies.
It is pertinent to consider that although the Russia-Africa summit was widely promoted and that the presidents of the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank and a number of African officials were in attendance, the low turn-out from the bulk of the 54 other African countries should be seen as a sign that many African countries are wary of being labeled anti-west even though most of them hide behind the toga of Non-Aligned states.
However, my line of thinking is that African countries have opportunity to negotiate better at a time like this.
First, we need to identify properly our interests in each of the competing blocks and be prepared to negotiate them to our advantages.
Negotiation is an art. There are consultants specializing in this art and would be worth the while of each country to engage the best of them to help protect the interest of their countries as the present scenario runs its course.
For example, the Russian leadership is unfazed in backing the Wagner Private Army led by Prigozhin in training and engaging in physical combat in some African countries.
Although, there is no reliable estimate of the amount of gold, timber, diamond and other mineral resources that have been taken from Africa/ Russia through Wagner mercenaries, there is evidence that what has been exploited in Mali in terms of gold and in Mozambique in terms of diamond and logging rosewood are not comparative.
It is a foregone conclusion that one gets what one negotiate and never get what one deserves in a presently lopsided world. This is why elected officials and appointed officials should not be left on their own with foreign governments and agencies but should be scrutinized and in some cases call bad deals out, .
China has taken a different approach in its strides into Africa since 2017.
The second largest economy in the world has invested heavily in Africa to the tune of over $200 billion.
Their investment has been targeted at sectors including and most especially infrastructural development.
Other areas includes mining, manufacturing and Fintech.
China has also cleverly provided debt relief to a number of African countries making it easier for them to improve their credit ratings making it easier for them to borrow money from other sources.
This trading strategy by China has helped to boost economic growth in Africa and create jobs. Not only those lines of action, they have managed to increase security cooperation in the area of training troops, providing military equipments and munitions and even sending peacekeeping mission to Africa. The communist country has also sought to increase its soft power through cultural exchanges, media outreach, and educational programs. This singular move has helped China improve her “chinko” image in the African public, and has made it more attractive to African businesses and governments.
US and most of the Western countries are just waking up from the successes of the sunup years. For example, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was set up to advance economic prosperity, and to demonstrate American generosity. In recent times, most Nigerians cannot really identify with the aspirations of the organization. Its work seemed un-impactful.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a trade agreement that provides preferential access to the US market for goods for eligible African countries, however, this lofty program has not been highly visible.
Neither has the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which is an aid agency tasked to provide grants to developing countries that are making progress on good governance, economic freedom and investment in people has the poorest recall amongst graduates in Nigeria talk less of general public.
The image of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), the military band responsible for US operation in Africa should also be brought into questioning and necessary negotiation as to its benefit to Africa re-negotiated.
The African colonial baggage being carried by France seemed heavier than those of her co-travelers as at this very moment. It may have to do with the system of assimilation practiced in those wee dominating years. Mali sent packing the French soldiers and welcomed Russia.
Protests against France and ‘Long live Putin’ banners are going on in Niamey the capital of Niger Republic.
In Central Africa Repuplic, Russian flags are all over the places as French influences wane.
What African government and respected opinion leaders need to do at this auspicious time is to identify areas where negotiations can be driven advantageously.
We need to sharpen our skills in protecting our natural resources and renegotiating our relationship with all these world powers. The bottom line is that US, China, UK, France and indeed every country will protect their national interests at any given time or situations; why not Africa ?
Why should we allow foreign domination through subterfuges like debt relief, aids, vaccinations, loans and military training? I believe we have a unique opportunity to get smart now, more than at any other time. Let’s s hit the iron when it’s hot!
