This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Published on October 25, 2019, African leaders have been on a whirlwind tour of China, Japan, and other Western nations, securing loans and grants that have left the continent with a significant debt burden.
China, in particular, has invested over $200 billion in Africa, with many countries struggling to repay their loans. The continent's leaders have been invited to Sochi, Russia, for the first Russia-Africa summit, where they may be tempted with more loans and grants.
However, Africa's energy resources are a major draw for these nations, with China and the US already securing significant investments. Russia is now positioning itself as a protector of the environment, but its true intentions may be more sinister.
African leaders must be cautious not to become pawns in a game of global politics, where their continent is seen as a source of energy and resources. The time has come for home-grown solutions to Africa's problems, rather than relying on foreign aid and loans.
