Opinion
Weekend Reading: Putting U.S. – Africa Trade in Context
This is not a matter of being the polite Africa – one steeped in good manners and grace. This is exactly like being given a big motor vehicle to travel between your house and your neighbors’ compound only a few meters away. Of course, if you know that the person who gave the gift is coming back every year, you may bring it out and shine it – drive around a bit – and try to show them that things are perfect.
Invariably, this back and forth can grow old; especially if the person that gave you the gift can see that you’re not using things as well as you ought to. Thus, one must get up and either ask for a more efficient vehicle – or demand that they be treated like a negotiating partner. For the latter part, everyone knows that Africa is not ready to be an equal partner. Africa is not fully or appropriately integrated. Africa neither has the effective supply chains or distribution networks, nor does it have the requisite or favorable ‘rules of origin’ environment.
Conversely, Africa has a mouth. It must speak up. And it must speak up in one voice or Acemoglu and Robinson’s book will become a proper imprecation. Worse still, America will shut down for 20 days – and shave even more money that could be going to doing business with an ambitious continent of over 1 billion people.
The Habari Network Editorial Board
Friday – October 25, 2013
