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

The document examines the risks posed to Africa by the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the US and China, particularly in the realms of technology, trade, and global supply chains. It argues that Africa is institutionally underprepared for these tensions due to governance deficiencies and its marginal global position, while emphasizing the need for African countries to project agency to secure optimal outcomes amidst a shifting global power structure.

• African countries are at risk of being caught in the intensifying geopolitical tensions between the US and China, mirroring the Cold War era where they 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 lacks the institutional readiness to handle the combined effects of current geopolitical rivalries, a situation driven by continent-wide economic under-performance, a constrained global trading environment, persistent governance deficiencies, and Africa's marginal status in the global system.
• The rivalry between the US and China is rooted in a struggle for technological supremacy and trade, leading to an inevitable shift in the global power structure that will place strain on multilateral institutions and impact Africa.
• To mitigate negative impacts and achieve optimal outcomes from global power shifts, it is necessary for African countries to improve and better project their agency.

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} }