Geopolitics, technology wars and global supply chains: implications for Africa

This research paper examines the impact of the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China on Africa, specifically focusing on technology, global supply chains, and trade between 2018 and late 2021. It analyzes how African actors can exercise agency to navigate these tensions amidst socio-economic crises and institutional under-preparedness.

• African countries are at risk of being caught in the intensifying geopolitical tensions between the US and China, mirroring the dynamics of the Cold War where African nations were treated as pawns. This vulnerability is exacerbated by a post-pandemic socio-economic crisis and a sovereign debt crisis not seen since the 1980s.
• Africa is institutionally underprepared to handle the combined effects of current global developments due to a combination of continent-wide economic under-performance, a constrained global trading environment, persistent governance deficiencies, and its marginal position in the global system.
• The rivalry between the US and China is rooted in contests over technological supremacy and trade. This shift in the global power structure is expected to place strain on multilateral institutions and impact the African continent, necessitating that African countries improve how they project their agency to achieve optimal outcomes.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2023). Geopolitics, technology wars and global supply chains: implications for Africa. https://saiia.org.za/research/geopolitics-technology-wars-and-global-supply-chains-implications-for-africa/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Geopolitics, technology wars and global supply chains: implications for Africa. 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/geopolitics-technology-wars-and-global-supply-chains-implications-for-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Geopolitics, technology wars and global supply chains: implications for Africa |date=1 June 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/geopolitics-technology-wars-and-global-supply-chains-implications-for-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2023geopolitics, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Geopolitics, technology wars and global supply chains: implications for Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/geopolitics-technology-wars-and-global-supply-chains-implications-for-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }