THE FAILURE OF AFRICA’S LEADERSHIP

BY

DR SEFOKO RAMOSHABA

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

www.sjli.co.za

ABSTRACT

The current African leadership’s failure to lead their countries towards self-reliance is a sign of poor or a lack of generative leadership. The so-called Africa and Russia-China’s partnership is just a conversion of a neo-colonialism strategy like close historical colonialism and economic slavery. This essay examines the growing influence of Russia and China in Africa. It is argued that their engagement, which is often framed as a partnership, reflects neo-colonial patterns like historical exploitation by white Western countries. They pretend to be assisting Africa through financing African projects like infrastructure, minerals extraction, and exploitation. Russian mercenaries in the Sahel region in the form of military cooperation. The report examines how these types of exploitative relationships weaken and exploit the economic independence and self-reliance of the African continent. African countries can work together through local, regional, and continental integration.

1. INTRODUCTION

Africa’s independence has failed to usher in economic development and emancipation for Africans a large, except for the crony capitalists and Politicians. The sovereignty and self-determination of Africa have been continuously undermined by neo-colonialism. The new form of colonialism, resource exploitation, has come in the disguise of the Russian and Chinese long tentacles in Africa. The continent now faces a new wave of external influence from emerging powers such as China and Russia. Russia and China just pretend to be friends of Africa due to the old historical links of the Cold War. Their involvement in Africa is like that of Western colonial powers. They are replicating the exploitation of Africans and trapping them in endless debts. Russia and China are using cloaked exploitation. They do not respect Africa’s independence and sovereignty.

2. NEO-COLONIAL EXPLOITATION

Western countries continued to control African countries after independence through economic and political interference. Nkwame Nkruma termed this kind of exploitation neo-colonialism. They avoided direct control after the independence of African countries. This remains true for China and Russia in Africa. Their strategies indirectly undermine Africa’s full autonomy in terms of economic development and local politics. They do not have the best interest of Africans but their own self-interest. The use of debts to entrap African countries, the culture of resource exploitation and dependence, political interference, and the limited ability of Africa to self-industrialise.

3. CAMOUFLAGED EXPLOITATION

Some African countries have received an economic boost from China of close to $170 billion for economic development projects, such as infrastructure like ports, roads, railways, and energy-related projects. There are concerns related to the sustainability of some Chinese projects in Kenya and Djibouti. The Wagner Group, Russia’s mercenaries, is operating in CAR and Mali, exploiting mining concessions to provide security. China exerts an imbalance of economic concessions for these countries. African countries still send raw materials and import finished goods (from their own African resources or minerals).

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4. THE DEATH OF AFRICAN SOVEREIGNITY

China and Russia undermine economic and political stability, just as France did in Burkina Faso before Traore came into power. Economic vulnerability, political instability. The policy dependency and poor autonomy of African countries are undermined by this form of neo-colonialism. China and Russia-backed government interests control or influence Africa’s internal political dynamics. It also undermines the sovereignty of the internal democratic institutions and interests.

5. THE ROAD TO ECONOMIC FREEDOM

Economic strategies for Africa must be based on the economic and development agreements of African countries. African countries must diversify and implement trade partnerships. They must use AfCFTA to increase intra-African trade relationships that can enhance economic growth. African countries must be champions for their financial independence. Education development must be centred on the new technological advancement. This must also enhance Research and Development, and African-owned state companies. Pan African diplomacy must be centred on policy framework reforms that strengthen institutions and promote Pan-Africanism.

6. CONCLUSION

Africa will never be free if the leaders of old age rely on China, Europe, and Russia to develop themselves. Our freedom and economic emancipation will remain elusive. Neo-colonialism is the enemy number one for Africans, whether from Europe, the USA, China, or Russia. Africa must develop self-reliance strategies to develop the African continent. China and Russia will only provide short to medium-term gains, but not total economic emancipation. It comes with the long-term risk of economic dependency that undermines African sovereignty. Africa must rely on its strengths and regional cooperation to develop the continent. Africa must move from being victims or beggars to self-reliance. African countries will then fulfil the vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and aspire to.

7. REFERENCES

Amtenbrink, A. S. (2024). Neo-colonial Dynamics in Africa: A Comparative Study of China, Russia, and France. DIVA Portal.

Rapanyane, M. B. (2021). Neocolonialism and New Imperialism: China’s involvement in Africa. Journal of African Foreign Affairs.

Olateju, O. & Adebiyi, D. (2025). China-Africa Relations: A Critical Analysis of Neo-colonialism and Development. ResearchGate.

Faulkner, C. & Parens, R. (2025). Russia in Africa: Private Military Proxies in the Sahel. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.

Siegle, J. (2021). Russia and Africa: Expanding Influence and Instability. Marshall Centre.

African Development Bank. (2025), Adesina Urges Africa to Shift from Aid dependence to Self-Reliance.

UNECA. (2025), Economic Report on Africa: Advancing AfCFTA Implementation Strategies.