In a world in which the balance of power is reconfigured, with the rise of new parties and the retreat of traditional powers, Africa stands out as a promising continental bloc, with its enormous natural wealth, young human energies, and a strategic geographical location, and despite decades of colonialism, wars and political fluctuations, the continent has not lost its momentum or its capabilities, but today it turned into an accelerated international crowd, as the major powers compete from China to US And Europe to consolidate its presence and build long -term partnerships.
This competition does not come from a vacuum, as the increasing indicators of a shift in the global system put Africa in a different location, as it is no longer just a field of influence for others, but a conglomerate moving towards an active role in the future equation.
In this article, we review the most prominent wealth of the continent, and analyze the map of the forces competing for influence, while stopping at the Chinese experience and the future of this rising bloc.
Continent resources in numbers
Africa possesses huge natural resources that make it one of the richest continents of the world, but at the same time it is one of the least exploitation and development, and this contrast reflects the complex reality of the continent, and paves the way for a deeper understanding of the nature of its wealth and the reasons for international competition on it.
1- Biological minerals
The continent has 30% of the world reserves of the basic minerals of energy transformation such as cobalt, lehum and nickel, The Democratic Congo Alone produces more than 70% of cobalt globally, and includes half of the confirmed reserves.
Zimbabwe and Mali stands out in Lithium, while South Africa, Gabon and Ghana controls 60% of manganese production, Africa also includes 90% of platinum reserves, South Africa produces 70% of it and 80% of Iridium, two vitanisan liver elements.
2- Energy and gas
Involve Nigeria 37 billion barrels of oil and 206 trillion cubic feet of gas, producing 1.2 million barrels per day, while in renewable energy, the complex capacity reached 67 gigawatts in 2024, including 9.2 gigawatts of wind and 15.4 GB of sun, however, these energies only represent 3.3% of electricity production.
3- Agriculture and water
Africa has 65% of the global fertile agricultural lands, the Democratic Congo alone constitutes 52% of surface water on the continent and 23% of renewable fresh water, and about 85% of irrigation water is used in agriculture, which gives it a trump card in the issue of global food security.
4- Human energy
The population of Africa exceeded 1.4 billion in 2024, and it is expected to reach 2.5 billion in 2050, and by mid-century, the number of those who are able to work will reach 1.6 billion, while the age group (15-24) represents about a third of the adult population
5- Digital Economy and Information Infrastructure
The digital economy is expected to contribute 5.2% of the GDP in 2025, and 8.5% in 2050, and the number of high -speed Internet users increased by 160 million between 2019 and 2022, and the download speed from 2.7 to 8.2 MB/s.
Nigeria accounts for 82% of the continent’s telecom subscribers, and 10% of its domestic product comes from the telecommunications sector.
6- Livestock
The contribution of livestock in agricultural output varies from one country to another, and ranges between 30% and 80% according to the nature of the local agricultural economy, according to estimates Food and Agriculture Organization.
Africa is one of the largest animal markets globally. In Nigeria alone, there are more than 18 million head of livestock and 80 million daggers, and animal wealth contributes by up to 17% of the agricultural output and 5% of the national product.
By 2050, the local demand for animal products is expected to increase by about 50 million tons of milk and 8.9 million tons of red meat, which turns the continent into a huge market to meet the needs Food security Increasing.
7- Infrastructure and commercial corridors
The infrastructure financing gap in Africa is estimated between 90 and 170 billion dollars annually, amid challenges, most notably that 40% of the roads are not paved and 60% without electricity, but this gap represents a huge opportunity, and the prominent projects are “Lopito Corridor” (10 billion dollars) to connect the Congo to Angola and the Atlantic Ocean as a model for regional integration.
African Union
The African Union was established in 2002 to succeed For the African Unity OrganizationTo embody the aspirations of the continent towards a political and economic unity. It includes 55 countries, which makes it one of the largest blocs in terms of the number of members.
One of his most prominent steps is the establishment of the continental free trade zone in 2018, which includes 54 countries (with the exception of Eritrea), and it was approved by 47 countries until mid -2025.
The agreement aims to create a unified market and increase the inter -trade that is still limited, but implementation faces challenges such as weak infrastructure and the variation of manufacturing levels.
The Federation provides a framework for consultation and coordination of positions, but its executive powers are still limited, and despite this, its tools gradually grow, driven by the need to face food security challenges, digital transformation, and energy, which gives him a real opportunity to enhance his role in a multi -polar world.
Europe .. a historical partner with declining influence
Since the colonial era, Europe has imposed its political and economic dominance on Africa, and this influence continued after independence through long -term agreements and unbalanced partnerships. The “economic colonial heritage” remained active for decades, through banks, companies and trade.
For 4 to 5 decades, Europe has accumulated the largest cumulative balance (i.e. the total accumulated investment over time) in Africa, exceeding 200 billion dollars, which Britain exports by 60 billion, followed France And the Netherlands with 54 billion each.
Slow growth
In 2024, the volume of trade exchange between European Union And Africa is about 354.6 billion euros (equivalent to 380-400 billion dollars), including 188.5 billion euros, African imports to Europe, and 166.1 billion euros (194.52 billion dollars) European exports to Africa
Despite this large size, the frequency of growth over the past two decades has been relatively slow, as the European -African trade exchange has increased by only 12 to 14 times. On the other hand, China, which started from a semi -zero level, achieved growth exceeding 25 times during the same period, through a more flexible and influential model in the structure of African economies.
America .. a late presence
Although it is the first economic power in the world, the American investment in Africa remained modest compared to China and Europe, until 2023, the total accumulated investments reached about 44 to 50 billion dollars, according to the conference data. United Nations For trade and development, the US Economic Analysis Office has been focused in traditional sectors such as security, energy and services.
This delay is due to preoccupation WashingtonSince the nineties, external wars have made the continent outside its priorities, and opened the way for a wide Chinese expansion, and later, the Biden administration has announced plans to pump 50 billion dollars in 5 years, of which 553 million for a railway project in Angola, but most of these projects are still on paper.
Under Trump’s administration, the momentum declined again, with a focus on the interior and poor commitment to African partnerships, and in 2024, the US -African trade exchange amounted to 71.6 billion dollars, of which 32.1 billion exports and 39.5 billion imports, recording a rare deficit in favor of Africa of $ 7.4 billion. Thus, Washington remains late for China, whose influence has expanded with flexibility and flexible partnerships.
China .. the most influential
In less than two decades, China has become the most important and influential partner in Africa, not only as an investor, but as a developmental and strategic partner, and according to estimates World Bank International organizations, the total Chinese financial activity in the continent is estimated between 200 and 220 billion dollars, which includes direct investments, financing, loans, and infrastructure projects. This number has exceeded the investments that Europe accumulated in Africa over a century, which reflects the acceleration of Chinese influence and the diversity of its economic and development tools, and Chinese influence in the continent can be summed up in these points:
1- A 2400% jump in 20 years
The trade exchange between China and Africa increased from $ 11.7 billion in 2000 to 295 billion dollars in 2024, with a growth of more than 2400%, and during the first five months of 2025, it amounted to 134 billion dollars, which is likely that the annual exchange exceeds 300 billion dollars by the end of the year, i.e. a growth rate of approximately 25 times within two decades.
This growth is not limited to the exchange of commodities, but rather reflects a structural integration, as China’s exports include manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, in exchange for imports of raw materials and strategic minerals, thus, Beijing is integrating the continent into its global networks.
2- A commercial superiority over Washington
On the other hand, the volume of trade exchange between the United States and Africa reached only 71.6 billion dollars in 2024, meaning that China is more than 4 times commercially, in a clear indication of the change in economic influence within the continent.
Chinese direct investment in Africa: a 58,000% jump in two decades
Chinese direct investment in Africa increased from about $ 75 million in 2003 to more than $ 44 billion by 2022, an increase of more than 58,000%, or the equivalent of 586 times in less than 20 years.
These investments were concentrated in vital sectors such as industry, energy, agriculture and infrastructure, especially in East and West Africa, which reflects a deliberate and fast expansion of Chinese influence in the strategic areas of the continent.
3- Development financing
Between 2000 and 2022, China funded 1188 projects in Africa through facilitated loans exceeding $ 160 billion, including energy, transportation, water and communications fields, and at the Beijing Summit (2024-2027), pledged to pump an additional $ 51 billion to implement 30 projects and create a million jobs.
Beijing adopts the “loan versus the project”, where projects are implemented by Chinese companies and equipment, which enhances its economic and political influence on the continent.
4- Infrastructure
During the past two decades, China has implemented huge infrastructure projects that changed the continent’s face, outperformed in terms of size and speed over what Europe has accomplished since African independence, most notably the railway Addis Ababa-Djibouti (3 billion dollars), the Mombasa Nairobi line in Kenya (3.2 billion), the Pogamuio Port in Tanzania (10 billion), and airport Zanzibar (70 million), along with dams and power stations in Angola Ethiopia.
5- Private sector companies
More than 10,000 Chinese companies in Africa, clearly overlooking their American and European counterparts, are active in an indication of a wide economic penetration, and these companies work in agriculture, health, education, mining and services, in addition to innovation. Huawei, for example, train 6 thousand Kenyan students annually on technical skills, and established more than 90 digital schools in multiple countries.
6- Technology and education
The Chinese digital presence in Africa has expanded through more than 266 projects, including communication networks, data centers, smart cities, and monitoring systems, including a national data center in Senegal at a cost of $ 79 million, and similar projects in Uganda And Ethiopia.
7- Mining
Several Chinese companies are working to develop vital metal manufacturing chains in Africa, especially nickel, copper and cobalt used in energy and technology. A private Chinese company has acquired a 300 million dollar copper for copper in Zambia, while a government company in the Congo mine was funded at a cost of $ 880 million.
This attendance is not only based on financing, but also on a comprehensive Chinese model, which depends on the implementation of projects on complete Chinese terms, semi -governmental companies, and dense operating infrastructure.
Is Africa on the threshold of a new role in the world order?
This regional bloc moves steadily to take its place as an influential actor in the next world order, driven by its wealth and energies and a political vision that crystallizes with a number of decision makers, based on the coalition and the common interest, and if this path continues, then Africa establishes a powerful force from the inside, not imposed from abroad.
While the continent’s competition increases, China’s experience emerges as a remarkable model, through soft tools and long -term partnerships, Beijing established its presence in Africa, and tightened its grip on vital resources, in particular Rare mineralsSuperior to decades of traditional Western existence.
On the other hand, the impact of the United States and Europe declined due to short -term policies and conditional approaches. This reveals a clear lesson: influence is built with patience and real engagement.
From here, a real opportunity for countries emerges The Middle East To adopt an active approach in the African depth, benefiting from the Chinese experience, and to search for smart partnerships that enhance the regional role in a new world.