Trump Presidency: Why Africa Must Wake Up

The 47th President of the United States of America, Mr Donald Trump, took the oath of office on Monday inside the Capitol Rotunda. Trump’s inauguration speech was more aspirational than inspirational, unlike those of previous American presidents.

“United States of America first, United States for the United States” remains Trump’s slogan.
From his campaign period to inauguration day, President Trump projected the image of a warrior; a warrior prepared to take on the entire world. His administration’s policies included pulling out of major organisations like the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization.
Trump’s decision to remove sanctions on Russia without proper checks appears to signify an open defiance of the United States’ European allies.

Furthermore, his move to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, while controversial, was arguably aimed at benefiting Americans. During his previous tenure, he revived drilling activities and scrapped carbon emissions taxes on various products, focusing on boosting domestic industries.

His decision to remove sanctions on Russia is another potential win for the American economy. Analysts argue that the sanctions had little negative impact on Russia’s economy and, instead, created opportunities for a black market. Americans may soon witness price reductions on certain products as a result.

During his campaign, President Trump also promised to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. Additionally, he made some unpleasant remarks about Canada, the USA’s long-standing ally and neighbour.

In all of Trump’s speeches, from the campaign trail to his inauguration, Africa was conspicuously absent. However, this omission should prompt us, as a continent blessed with immense resources, to take our destiny into our own hands.

Can the West survive without Africa? The answer is no. This raises an important question: should the rhythm of dependency and neglect continue?

Rather than fixating on Trump’s policies and speeches, African political leaders must wake up and pursue a unified agenda. Africa is richly endowed with natural resources; minerals essential for manufacturing cars and weapons, fertile land for agriculture, and much more. Why, then, should Africa continue to depend on Western nations for survival?

Western nations colonised Africa, exploited its resources, and developed their lands while leaving Africans impoverished and dependent. It is time for our leaders to liberate us from this cycle of mental and economic slavery.

Decades after gaining independence, why do African nations still rely on their former colonial masters? It is high time African leaders made it a policy that natural resources must be processed locally. For instance:

French industrialists should only access Niger’s uranium if they establish processing factories in the country.

German chocolatiers should set up their factories in Nigeria.

Italian shoe manufacturers should establish plants in Kano.

Until we insist on such arrangements, Africa will remain a supplier of raw materials and a buyer of overpriced finished products.
We are often our own worst enemies. Why do our elites launder money to American banks while many of their compatriots cannot afford two meals a day? In the late 1970s, the Nigerian naira was stronger than the British pound sterling and nearly double the value of the US dollar. What happened to our economic strength?

African leaders must prioritise entrepreneurs committed to developing the continent over those seeking to export raw materials only to sell finished products back to us at exorbitant prices.
I salute the courage of leaders like the President of Côte d’Ivoire for bringing positive change to his country. Similarly, Rwanda’s president is gradually transforming the nation into a developed state.

Africa needs bold, visionary leaders unafraid to demand that foreign investors build factories and industries on African soil. Let us provide land and support for industries here, rather than exporting our wealth and potential.

Enough of leaders like Trump dismissing African nations. It is time to change the rhythm.
Let us embrace the mantra: Africa for Africa.

–Gidado, publisher of Ebony Herald Magazine writes from Abuja