Someone’s investing in Africa
January 11, 2006
This blog has talked about Afro-Asian relations before. The Washington Post had an interesting story on China investing in a Nigerian offshore oil reserve. Why is it that the Chinese are the only one to at least feign a respect for the future of the African continent?
I am not naive enough to believe that any move of international policy is a wholly innocent one. With that said, I am happy to see foreign investment in African nations that is NOT some sort of conditional debt relief. Deals such as the CNOOC deal show that there is value in Nigerian industry, a fact well known to people in that region, and one that should be increasingly more obvious to the rest of the planet in the near future. Maybe the reason is simple. Maybe the Chinese realize that the way to overtake White, Western world dominance is to unite all non-White peoples socially, intellectually, and economically (which is a great idea, I think we should do that here. I’ll get to that on a later post). This sort of “populist” approach to growth is a healthy and organic one, which I would like to see expand. I would like to see unions between all of Asia and Africa and South America. Why can’t we have a trans-national oil deal between Venezuela, Nigeria, and China? That may scare the daylights out of the Americans, but alliances such as these are essential for the world to advance to one that is fair to all of its inhabitants.
What is important about these alliances, and what makes them sustainable in my opinion, is that they would be peaceful. Problems with war-time alliances is that they are short-lived. If there is peace, why should I talk to you? is the attitude that persists. Then, you get countries making unilateral decisions to invade non-confrontational states like Iraq.
Like it or not, money is an important part of life. It is not the defining characteristic, but it is here and has a purpose. How about we unite companies on peaceful economic levels and instead of attacking countries to protect cash cows, like the U.S. did in Iraq. Perhaps this Chinese-Nigerian pact can be the blueprint for other deals that can create peaceful alliance among countries with shared financial interests.
The most important, and oft-overlooked piece of such a deal is what is done by the players to help their neighboring countries. China needs to share wealth with Vietnam, Taiwan (who they hate), Thai Land, and others in the region. Nigeria should do the same with its neighbors (e.g. Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, etc.). This notion of “Regional Wealth” can prove to be a powerful one that will build both pride and economic vitality in corners of the world that may have never known either.
Comments
One Response to “Someone’s investing in Africa”
Got something to say?
Great post Garlin. I took an opportunity to re-read your November 20th post, The Continent That Matters, wherein the same topic, as you mentioned was disussed. Both posts were not only very well written, but also very informative.
I wish you continued success with TheSuperSpade.com
Y.