Africa: A continent besieged along old fault lines

Africa has, once again, taken centre stage as countries vie for the top spot. The playing field has shifted slightly, and the rules of engagement have moved more toward the economic arena. In this Research Briefing, we explore the economic and political ties between Africa and China, the US, Europe and Russia as the continent navigates the new multi-polar world order.

• The global race for critical minerals—vital for green energy, defence, and tech—has made Africa a strategic battleground. While China leads by far, the US and EU are trying to catch up through initiatives like the Minerals Security Partnership and Global Gateway. Middle Eastern nations, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are also emerging players in African FDI, particularly in North Africa.
• Europe focuses on soft power and sustainable investment, positioning itself as a diplomatic alternative to China and the US. The US mixes strategic diplomacy with military leverage, aiming to secure mineral rights through political and security influence. Russia uses paramilitary tools and security partnerships (e.g., in the Sahel) to access mining rights, especially gold, marking a shift from ideological alliances to pragmatic resource deals.
• China is Africa’s largest trading partner, securing around 60% of the DRC’s copper and all its cobalt exports in 2023. It has shifted from a resource extraction focus to broader engagement through infrastructure, digital exports, and tariff-free trade policies, though its influence still raises concerns about “debt trap diplomacy.