Enhancing African Agency Amid Global Geopolitical Competition

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the geopolitical competition between global powers—specifically the US, China, and Russia—within Africa. It argues that African states are increasingly pursuing a strategy of non-alignment and diversification to avoid becoming proxies in global disputes, seeking instead equal partnerships and autonomy. The paper suggests that African agency can be enhanced by strengthening the African Union (AU), diversifying international partnerships, and prioritizing internal economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

• China has transitioned from a marginal player to a central figure in Africa, becoming the continent's largest bilateral trading partner. Trade volume grew from $11.67 billion in 2000 to $257.67 billion in 2022, driven largely by the Belt & Road Initiative's infrastructure projects and strategic investments.
• The US has seen its influence erode in regions such as West Africa due to policy missteps and fractured relationships, particularly involving France. This has created security and economic gaps that Russia and China have sought to fill, with Russia focusing on political linkages and security arrangements.
• African states are adopting a strategy of non-alignment, which the document defines not as neutrality, but as a means of preserving autonomy and options. This approach is informed by Cold War history and current conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, leading countries to diversify relations and join groups like BRICS to avoid dependency on any single power bloc.
• The Lobito Corridor initiative, which connects the Atlantic coast of Angola to mining areas in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serves as a model for balancing global competition. The project involved initial US development and subsequent complementary Chinese investments, showing that regional development can benefit the continent without requiring an exclusive choice between powers.
• To enhance collective agency, the paper recommends that African nations strengthen the African Union (AU) to lead negotiations during Africa-Country Summits (such as FOCAC) rather than engaging solely on a bilateral basis. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area to increase economic complementarity and leverage.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2024). Enhancing African Agency Amid Global Geopolitical Competition. https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-african-agency-amid-global-geopolitical-competition/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Enhancing African Agency Amid Global Geopolitical Competition. 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-african-agency-amid-global-geopolitical-competition/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Enhancing African Agency Amid Global Geopolitical Competition |date=15 August 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-african-agency-amid-global-geopolitical-competition/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2024enhancing, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Enhancing African Agency Amid Global Geopolitical Competition}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-african-agency-amid-global-geopolitical-competition/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }