Many have wondered why Africa remains poor and underdeveloped decades after the end of colonialism. The answer lies not in a lack of potential, resources, or ambition but in systemic strategies employed by Western powers to maintain control over the continent. These strategies, while less overt than colonial rule, are no less insidious in ensuring that Africa remains a source of raw materials and cheap labor for the global economy.

To unpack this complex issue, Fadhel Kaboub, Associate Professor of Economics at Denison University and Senior Advisor at Powershift Africa, sheds light on the hidden mechanisms that keep African nations trapped in cycles of dependency and underdevelopment.

The Legacy of Colonialism: A System Rigged Against Africa

At the heart of Africa’s economic struggles is a system established during colonial rule, which continues to benefit Western powers. When African nations gained independence, they inherited economies designed to extract resources for the benefit of colonial rulers. The infrastructure, policies, and economic systems were not built to serve the needs of African people but to ensure the flow of wealth out of the continent.

Decades later, these structures remain largely intact. African countries export raw materials such as oil, gold, and cocoa, while importing expensive manufactured goods. This imbalance ensures that the wealth generated from Africa’s natural resources enriches foreign corporations and governments rather than African nations.

Debt Dependency: A Neocolonial Trap

One of the most potent tools used to keep Africa underdeveloped is debt. After independence, African nations were often encouraged—or coerced—into borrowing from international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These loans came with stringent conditions, forcing countries to prioritize debt repayment over investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Moreover, the structural adjustment programs imposed by these institutions required African nations to privatize public assets, cut social spending, and open their markets to foreign competition. The result? African industries struggled to compete, while foreign corporations gained greater control over African economies.

Trade Policies That Exploit Africa

Global trade rules are another tool used to perpetuate Africa’s economic struggles. Western nations often subsidize their own industries, making their products cheaper and more competitive than those produced in Africa. At the same time, African exports face tariffs and other barriers, limiting their access to lucrative markets.

For example, African farmers who produce cocoa often receive only a fraction of the value of the final product. While Western chocolate companies reap billions in profits, the farmers who supply the raw materials live in poverty.

Resource Extraction and Environmental Degradation

The exploitation of Africa’s natural resources is another key strategy. Foreign companies extract minerals, oil, and other resources, often paying little in taxes or royalties to African governments. In many cases, these activities lead to environmental destruction, displacing communities and making it even harder for African nations to develop sustainable economies.

Illegal gold mining, for instance, not only devastates ecosystems but also fuels corruption and weakens state institutions. Meanwhile, Western nations and corporations benefit from the cheap gold and other resources extracted from African soil.

The Way Forward: Breaking the Chains of Dependency

Understanding these hidden strategies is the first step toward breaking free from the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment. For Africa to reclaim its economic sovereignty, it must pursue a bold and unified strategy that prioritizes the interests of its people over foreign powers.

1. Industrialization and Value Addition
African nations must invest in industries that process raw materials locally, creating jobs and retaining more wealth within the continent. For example, instead of exporting raw cocoa, African countries could produce finished chocolate products for global markets.

2. Regional Integration and Trade
Pan-African trade agreements, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offer opportunities for African nations to trade with each other, reducing reliance on Western markets. By building stronger regional economies, Africa can create a more balanced and equitable trade system.

3. Debt Reform and Economic Independence
African leaders must push for debt restructuring and seek alternative sources of financing that do not come with exploitative conditions. At the same time, efforts to establish African financial institutions and currencies can help reduce dependence on Western-controlled systems.

4. Resource Management and Environmental Sustainability
Governments must take control of resource extraction, ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably and that environmental concerns are addressed. This includes cracking down on illegal mining and renegotiating contracts with foreign companies to secure better terms for African nations.

A Call to Action for the Diaspora and Allies

The African diaspora and global allies have a critical role to play in supporting these efforts. From lobbying for fair trade policies to investing in African businesses, there are numerous ways to contribute to the continent’s development.

Africa’s poverty and underdevelopment are not inevitable; they are the result of deliberate strategies designed to benefit others at the continent’s expense. By exposing these hidden mechanisms and working together, Africans and their allies can build a future where the continent’s immense potential is finally realized.

The time for action is now. Africa’s wealth should serve its people—not foreign powers.