3.2 Key actors and issues in Africa

In this sub-section you can learn about the key actors in Africa and the emerging issues these actors need to deal with. In particular, the key actors involve both state and non-state actors.

Actors

• State actors include African states (e.g. DRC, Zambia, Djibouti and Zimbabwe), states outside the continent (e.g. China, Russia, US, UK and India), international organisations (e.g. the UN) and regional organisations (e.g. the African Union).
• Non-state actors include multinational corporations (e.g. Chinese mining corporations), NGOs (e.g. Greenpeace), interest groups (e.g. trade unions) and military groups.

Of course, African and external states are key protagonists, with countries like Djibouti forming strategic military (e.g. establishment of military bases) and economic partnerships with powerful countries such as the US, China, and France. It is also important to keep in mind that the actual influence different counties hold varies. The so-called great powers, like the US and China, have greater influence due to factors like economic strength and military force. In Africa, these powerful nations often make decisions based on their own strategic interests, such as accessing resources. For instance, China’s involvement in Africa is largely motivated by its need for raw materials, rather than the priorities of African nations, creating an imbalanced relationship where African states may feel dominated by these external powers. Despite power disparities, African states exert influence by managing relations with multiple powers, sometimes even leveraging these relationships to counteract sanctions or pursue specific interests.

Other significant actors include multinational corporations (MNCs) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially those involved in natural resource extraction and infrastructure projects. Also, interest groups, NGOs and activist networks within Africa influence diplomatic and economic relations, often challenging foreign investments based on labour, environmental, or human rights concerns. Non-state military groups, such as terrorist organisations, are also influential in certain regions, further complicating international relations and security policies in Africa.

Issues

All the above-mentioned actors have to deal with various emerging issues, that can be grouped into three main areas: military and security, economic, and political issues.

• Military and security issues: Several countries, including the US, China and European states, have established military bases, especially in strategic locations like Djibouti. China’s military bases, for example, have been established to protect its interests in shipping routes and to protect Chinese citizens working in unstable regions. Respectively, the US focuses on counter-terrorism efforts, and European states aim to control piracy. Conflicts in various African regions also see intervention from external actors, the African Union and the UN aiming to stabilise the situation in such areas.
• Economic issues: Economic competition is intense as external powers compete for access to Africa’s valuable natural resources, particularly energy supplies (oil and gas) and strategic minerals (like cadmium and lithium). China’s focus on resource-rich countries like Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo leads to increasing rivalry with the US and European countries seeking to counterbalance China’s influence. Control over these resources has impact on global supply chains and environmental goals.
• Political issues: Over the past twenty years diplomatic relations have become more complex as various powers with different agendas engage with Africa. On the one hand, western countries, including the US and the EU, promote democracy and human rights as central principles of their Africa policies. China and other emerging powers, on the other hand, generally emphasise economic partnerships without paying much attention on political reforms. This allows African countries to maintain relationships with multiple partners, enhancing their influence in international organisations like the UN General Assembly, where African states hold significant voting power.

The military, economic and political issues mentioned above are interconnected and, as you will notice in the next sub-section, they lead to various debates and competing views on how best to address them.