New Scramble for Africa

it would be difficult to understand the reality of the “New Scramble for Africa” without a prior reference to the historical event that took place in the 19th century from which this terminology is derived. The event was the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 at which the continent of Africa was divided among the European powers.

The current reference to a new scramble however connotes a slightly different focus. While the old scramble focused upon the acquisition and demarcation of territory, the new scramble is not interested in redefining national borders but rather in defining access to the continent’s natural resources.

These include oil, diamonds, timber, gold, uranium, ivory, natural gas and a host of others. Furthermore, in addition to the former colonial powers (France, Britain, Belgium, etc.), who have maintained their presence on the continent through continued neo-colonialties, and the activities of various multinational and transnational firms, China and India have joined the “scramble”.

These powers are two of Asia’s largest economies with populations of over a billion each and rapidly industrializing and developing economies. These are powers whose economies are in desperate need of resources to maintain their rapid pace of industrialization. When the United States of America, with its entrenched interests in African petroleum resources, is brought into the picture then the can be adequately meaning of a “new scramble” comprehended.