The aid relationship between the global North and the Global South is fast changing. Donors in the West changing the eye, they used to view the role of aid. They are reevaluating the role while monitoring their national interest. It might not be as bad as it seems, after all. The foreign aid game changes in favor of Africa if its leaders stay awake.
The century foreign aid policies have become both complex and fragmented. In 2015 alone, there have been four major international development policies and goal-setting projects that have been launched. They are the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the Paris agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
To the global development agenda, there are multiple goals in economic growth, poverty reduction, climate, and environmental change. These international policy overloads are fundamentally altering the foreign aid landscape.
Can the North-South relations be shaped with the narrative crafted by the world’s most developed nations- strongly links aid to climate change and humanitarian crises? Maybe if African countries tip the balance in their own favor.
The Rich-poor country
Since the introduction of Sustainable development goals (SDGs) in 2015, there has been less talk in the rich-poor country. The SDGs have strengthened the fact that the responsibility for achieving sustainable development applies to all countries. Even if individual countries face challenges peculiar to its own setup, the inter-connectedness clearly shows that we are sailing in the same boat.
China’s achievement in uplifting over half a billion people out of poverty is worth every recommendation. Some African countries have engaged in South-South cooperation with major powers such as India and China.
Indians pride in its green revolution and advances in information and communication, technology, and affordable healthcare. China and India exhibit their ability available, affordable, and adaptable technology and their established track record of solving developmental challenges.
Development diplomacy is being reconstituted since the growth of global economic power and the influence of India, China, and middle-income countries.
A Fresh Look
Different Super-powers have changed the way they have been relating to Africa. It seems they are fighting each other, and Africa is the battlefield.
The United Kingdom has shown a soft spot for its colonies in the recent past. However, now it is open to touting the national interest. In January 2020, they held the UK-Africa summit, whose aim is to advance new initiatives and commercial partnerships with the African Continent.
This is not just for the West but also for other actors that are showing immense interest in Africa. Russia has a major strategy to start page afresh and make the continent a foreign policy priority.
The great interest created by world super-powers towards African Continent raises a lot of eyebrows. Some even warn of a “new scramble for Africa.” African should not focus entirely on the aid part of it instead put interest in boosting trade and investments. How can we use this to our own advantage?
The Main Challenges
There are challenges African states are likely to face as we entangle in a new and rejuvenated relationship with major world powers.
Fear of Rising Debt
Scholars and organizations have argued that the international community should prioritize the renewed commitment for debt relief.
There have been political debates in Nigeria, and Zambia about repaying China’s debts. The environmental and financial cost of Russian activities on the continent also raises a lot of eyebrows.
Increasing Tense US-China Relations
‘When two bulls fight, it is the grass that feels the pain the most.’ The Global North believes that the activities of these super-powers will weaken efforts to promote and strengthen good governance and liberal values.
However, Kenya has proven that it can take a tough stance against the two giants(China and the US). It rebuffed US efforts to boycott Huawei and spoke of the low-quality medical equipment it had imported from China.
Greater Uncertainty on the Benefit of Continued Globalization
Those arguing about the importance of the national interest in political decision making have found a strong backup in the political turmoil in parts of Europe and the US. Clear evidence is the 20% cut in the UK’s aid budget.
The future of availability of development finance on the continent greatly relies on how African leaders address these three sets of concerns.
African development vision, Coordination, and unity is the utmost importance when it comes to offering a diverse field for competing world powers.
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