The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development
This article examines the effects of neocolonialism on Africa’s development and explores potential strategies to counter its negative impact. The legacy of colonialism has cast a long shadow over the continent, with neocolonial practices posing significant obstacles to sustained socio-economic growt...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Jimma University
2023-08-01
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| Series: | PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ju.edu.et/index.php/panjogov/article/view/4846 |
| _version_ | 1797682600781807616 |
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| author | Obikwelu Ifeanyi John Gérard-Marie Messina Odumegwu, Andy Chukwuemeka |
| author_facet | Obikwelu Ifeanyi John Gérard-Marie Messina Odumegwu, Andy Chukwuemeka |
| author_sort | Obikwelu Ifeanyi John |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines the effects of neocolonialism on Africa’s development and explores potential strategies to counter its negative impact. The legacy of colonialism has cast a long shadow over the continent, with neocolonial practices posing significant obstacles to sustained socio-economic growth and self-determination. This study aims to extensively understand neocolonialism’s multifaceted impacts on Africa’s economic growth and development by employing a qualitative approach and analyzing secondary data sources. The analysis highlights the intricate dynamics of neocolonial control in Africa, including economic dominance, political interference, cultural subjugation, and power imbalances. Moreover, it sheds light on the role of foreign aid and trade, multinational corporations, and international financial institutions in perpetuating neocolonial practices. These means and mechanisms enable the former colonial powers to exert indirect influence over Africa’s economic and political landscape, impeding genuine progress. Findings reveal that Africa’s nominal and flag independence following decolonization has not translated into genuine autonomy and self-sufficiency. Instead, the continent continues to face economic dependence, corruption, and stunted development due to neocolonial exploitation. The exploitation of Africa’s vast natural and human resources, unequal trade relationships, and support for authoritarian regimes have all contributed to the continent’s ongoing struggles. To address these challenges, the article proposes tentative strategies and solutions. These include promoting fair trade practices, empowering African nations to regain control over their resources and economies, promoting regional integration and cooperation, strengthening governance and institutions, and fostering a more equitable global economic order. Africa can achieve genuine economic growth, social progress, and self-determination by countering neocolonial practices and fostering sustainable development. Acknowledging the complex web of neocolonial dynamics is crucial for formulating effective strategies and policies to dismantle neocolonial structures and promote sustainable development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:02:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-699b218e0c894c16a0242ec7473a343c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2707-1308 2707-1316 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:02:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Jimma University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-699b218e0c894c16a0242ec7473a343c2023-09-17T12:23:21ZengJimma UniversityPanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development2707-13082707-13162023-08-0142335https://doi.org/10.46404/panjogov.v4i2.4846The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s DevelopmentObikwelu Ifeanyi John0Gérard-Marie Messina1Odumegwu, Andy Chukwuemeka2Pan African University of Governance, Humanities, and Social Sciences, CameroonThe University of Yaoundé I, CameroonNnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, NigeriaThis article examines the effects of neocolonialism on Africa’s development and explores potential strategies to counter its negative impact. The legacy of colonialism has cast a long shadow over the continent, with neocolonial practices posing significant obstacles to sustained socio-economic growth and self-determination. This study aims to extensively understand neocolonialism’s multifaceted impacts on Africa’s economic growth and development by employing a qualitative approach and analyzing secondary data sources. The analysis highlights the intricate dynamics of neocolonial control in Africa, including economic dominance, political interference, cultural subjugation, and power imbalances. Moreover, it sheds light on the role of foreign aid and trade, multinational corporations, and international financial institutions in perpetuating neocolonial practices. These means and mechanisms enable the former colonial powers to exert indirect influence over Africa’s economic and political landscape, impeding genuine progress. Findings reveal that Africa’s nominal and flag independence following decolonization has not translated into genuine autonomy and self-sufficiency. Instead, the continent continues to face economic dependence, corruption, and stunted development due to neocolonial exploitation. The exploitation of Africa’s vast natural and human resources, unequal trade relationships, and support for authoritarian regimes have all contributed to the continent’s ongoing struggles. To address these challenges, the article proposes tentative strategies and solutions. These include promoting fair trade practices, empowering African nations to regain control over their resources and economies, promoting regional integration and cooperation, strengthening governance and institutions, and fostering a more equitable global economic order. Africa can achieve genuine economic growth, social progress, and self-determination by countering neocolonial practices and fostering sustainable development. Acknowledging the complex web of neocolonial dynamics is crucial for formulating effective strategies and policies to dismantle neocolonial structures and promote sustainable development.https://journals.ju.edu.et/index.php/panjogov/article/view/4846developmentneocolonialismunderdevelopmentdependencyexploitation |
| spellingShingle | Obikwelu Ifeanyi John Gérard-Marie Messina Odumegwu, Andy Chukwuemeka The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development development neocolonialism underdevelopment dependency exploitation |
| title | The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development |
| title_full | The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development |
| title_fullStr | The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development |
| title_short | The Effects of Neocolonialism on Africa’s Development |
| title_sort | effects of neocolonialism on africa s development |
| topic | development neocolonialism underdevelopment dependency exploitation |
| url | https://journals.ju.edu.et/index.php/panjogov/article/view/4846 |
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