Beware of new Greeks bearing gifts

From energy, to health, to infrastructure, climate change, peace, trade, agriculture and even cyber security and biodiversity conservation, China has pledged to stand by Africa as a development partner. Hidden within the centuries of colonialism Africa endured under European powers was the establishment of systems, infrastructure and mindsets geared to ensure the Dark Continent’s reliance on Europe, beyond the independence era.

Indeed, the great colonialist, Cecil John Rhodes, dreamt of a Cape-to-Cairo railway linking all British territories and carrying to Britain, precious metals and other inputs and to Africa, more colonial settlers, military personnel/equipment and European values. The French and the Portuguese had similar dreams and the result of these is that all over the continent, countries have leaned westwards for economic partnerships, trade and aid.