Must change attitude towards Africa

China’s entry into Africa will force Europe and USA to be more friendly towards Africa.

According to Anver Versi, Editor of African Business the implications of China’s entrance into Africa is only now being felt.
“Sooner or later there will be a big clash between China’s need for raw materials and oil, and need of Western Nations,” says Versi at at seminar in Oslo this week hosted by the Norwegian Council for Africa.
He maintains that the question is who African oil producers will choose to support: China or go to West.
Versi thinks that the West will need to change its attitude to Africa. “Up until now Britain has often used the stick in its relationships with Africa. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has used loans to punish Africa. With China coming in they have to learn to be friendly with Africa. China just wants to do business. They do not set precondition. They have just signed deal with Nigeria for $2 billion. They have given soft loans to Angola. China is thus taking on role of IMF,” Versi maintains.
With the increase in oil incomes countries such as Nigeria have been able to pay off foreign debts.
“This is important from an African perspective -  banks can no longer push Nigeria around. The government can more or less do what it wants. On other hand the sitting governement can feel invulnerable to outside pressure. Thus the change in the price of oil has implications for the development of democracy,” says Versi. He thinks the entry of China and India into Africa and the high price of oil gives Africa a rare window of opportunity.

by Jan Speed

Comments

[Kas]

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