From the 15th to the 19th century, European powers sucked vast wealth out of Africa, including slaves, gold, and raw materials, which fuelled their own industrial growth. Yet even after African nations gained independence in the second half of the 20th century, the struggle over the continent’s resources did not end – it merely changed shape.
Today, Africa has once again become a field of competition. The United States, Türkiye, and the Gulf states are all vying for influence. Some seek to establish military bases, others view the continent as a vital source of rare earth minerals for modern technology. But, as Professor Lumumba points out, this new scramble for Africa is not only about land and natural wealth – it’s also about gaining access to a young workforce and a consumer market of 1.5 billion people.
