Joseph Conrad in his classic Heart of Darkness once and for all showed how Africa will always be the focus of colonial exploitation. First it was Europe, now it is Russia and China. They do not care for the people but only the oil and gas there.

The African people are lulled into believing that these foreign ventures in their own land will bring them much need outside money. They believe that their lot will be improved by these companies. The Russians have a colonial history and so do the Chinese. Notice how Russia annexed Eastern Europe in the last century. China continues to occupy Tibet. So they cannot be trusted to have gone to Africa only to mine and drill for oil. Their very presence in Africa is a matter of fear.

News Week reports the entry of such Russian oil giants like Lukoil, Rosneft and Stroytransgaz in Algeria, Nigeria, Angola and Egypt. China had earlier ventured into Africa, but now faces stiff competition from the Russians. Russia, after a considerable slump after the fall of the erstwhile USSR, is again picking up the pieces and is racing ahead. Russian venture capitalists have started pumping money into entrepreneurial oiling projects in Africa. Some of the private banks in Russia are now better funded than the tottering US banks. Thus we find Russia a new force in the oil and gas sector.

The reaction at grassroots Africa has been ambiguous. Pundits point out how it might be difficult for African themselves to adapt to the new business-masters. Africa has been modeled for long after established Western business structures. It just might be too difficult for the changeover to happen. Russian and Chinese ventures in Africa will thus fall on their faces.

On the other hand, African tribal and political leaders welcome change. They are tired of the old Anglo-Saxon and French models of running businesses. Now, it is the time for new entrants in the field, they say. Hopefully, now Africa’s dark days will be over. This is the new hope.

Yet it is foolish to believe that those who enter a nation for profit will be bothered about anything other than money. It is best for Africans to do their own jobs and then sell the commodities to the best bidding outside nation. Otherwise, new tyrants will take over Africa.

Via: News Week132503