The New Scramble for Africa: Power, Sovereignty and the Battle for Strategic Influence

A Three-Part BusinessDay Editorial Series | Dr Hani Okoroafor

The New Scramble for Africa is a three-part geopolitical analysis examining the intensifying competition among global powers for Africa's resources, markets, strategic territories and political allegiance.

The series explores how China, Russia, the United States, Europe and emerging international actors are reshaping Africa's geopolitical landscape through investment, security partnerships, infrastructure financing, technological influence and control over critical minerals.

A central theme is the contrasting responses of African governments to this changing international order. The series critically examines the increasingly assertive sovereignty agenda of Sahelian states, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, juxtaposing their confrontational posture with Nigeria's comparatively restrained diplomatic and strategic approach.

Drawing on historical parallels, contemporary geopolitical developments and comparative political economy, the series argues that Africa's greatest vulnerability lies not merely in external exploitation but in inadequate institutional capacity to negotiate, coordinate and execute national strategic priorities.

Ultimately, The New Scramble for Africa advances a compelling proposition: Africa's future will be determined not simply by who seeks influence over the continent, but by whether African states possess the capacity to shape the terms of their engagement.