Building Partnerships in an Unequal World: Africa in the Political Discourses of the West, China, and Russia
Africa’s influence in global politics may be growing, however, leaders of the G7, China, and Russia continue to grapple with outdated stereotypes of the continent while attempting to craft a new narrative of collaboration.
The Building Partnerships in an Unequal World: Africa in the Political Discourses of the West, China, and Russia report investigates how Africa is represented in political discourse by leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, China and Russia from 2020 to 2023.
The findings suggest that, while there is growing recognition of African nations’ autonomy and potential, the dominant narrative often falls short of truly equitable engagement.
The research analyzed 124 speeches by leaders of G7 nations, China, and Russia from 2020 to 2023, identifying 22 recurring themes, such as "partnership," "trade and investment," "migration," and "democracy." A key observation is that these themes often reflect political and strategic narratives tailored more to domestic audiences than to genuine engagements with Africa.
The report was authored by Dr Hui Wilcox. The resulting white paper, Between white lies and true intentions: Unpacking what global leaders say about Africa, unpacks findings from the report by exploring the themes of partnership, migration, democracy as well as trade and investment. The White Paper was authored by Dr Terence McNamee and Moky Makura.
Here are the key findings from the report:
- The most frequent theme, partnership, featured in nearly 40% of analyzed texts. Leaders often emphasize “equal partnership,” though Africa's marginalization in global governance undermines these claims.
- The disparity between rhetoric and reality is evident in structural inequities, such as Africa's lack of permanent representation on the UN Security Council and its financial dependence on external donors.
- Migration is central to Western policies on Africa but features in only 18% of speeches. This disconnect reveals a reluctance to publicly address sensitive issues like irregular migration's impact on domestic politics.
- High-profile strategies, such as the UK's now-defunct "Rwanda plan," illustrate attempts to externalize migration management while sidestepping deeper causes like poverty and conflict.
- Democracy is highlighted by American leaders more than others, reflecting the U.S.’s historical focus on governance reforms. However, the credibility of this narrative is undermined by democratic backsliding within the U.S. itself.
- Africa’s struggle with political instability, coups, and weakening democratic norms contrasts with the prescriptive tone of Western leaders.
- Despite proclamations of “new business partnerships,” Africa receives just 3.5% of global foreign direct investment.
The report highlights the need for greater alignment between global leaders’ rhetoric and actionable policies. Africa’s rising geopolitical significance, driven by its resources, population growth, and economic potential, demands equitable partnerships. Ultimately, narrowing the gap between rhetoric and reality is essential for addressing shared global challenges effectively and equitably.