Africa is the second largest continent in the world. The current perception of Africa is of poverty and internal conflict. However, Africa is developing fast. There are a number of factors that mean over the coming decades Africa is likely to play an influential role on the world stage. In fact, many predict that Africa could be a rising global superpower.
1. Africa Has a Huge Population
The first reason why Africa could be the next global superpower is the size of its population. The continent of Africa has a total population of 1.3 billion people. That’s 17% of the people in the world. Obviously, this is combining the populations of all 54 African states. However, the enormous population of Africa gives it huge potential to dominate the world and become a superpower.
Population size is an important factor for an emerging superpower. Having many millions of people gives nations a large work force and the potential for significant economic growth, as well as political, cultural and military strength that’s come from being one of the largest population centres in the world.
If you look at other superpowers – America, Russia and China, as well as upcoming and potential superpowers such as India and Brazil, they all have big populations. Africa fits into this group if its population is taken as a whole, and this is why the continent could be a major global superpower.
2. It Has Extensive Natural Resources
The second reason why Africa will likely be seen as a superpower over the coming decades is its natural resources. Many of the key materials needed for modern economies can be found in massive quantities across Africa. This makes the continent hugely important and gives it the potential to be a global superpower.
Africa’s abundant natural resources can help is reach superpower status in two mains ways. Firstly, it can trade key resources that other nations need – such as coal, copper, natural gas, diamonds, iron and cobalt. All of these are fundamental to the industrial economics around the world and Africa generates huge amounts of wealth by trading its natural resources.
The other way Africa can benefit from its natural resources to become a superpower is by utilizing these resources itself. Many African nations are beginning to develop and use the minerals and materials they have. This will propel these countries to be richer and more economically important. If this can happen across the continent, Africa will surely become a superpower.
3. Africa’s Economy is Growing
Africa’s economy is growing, fast! As Africa becomes richer and more developed it will play a bigger role in world affairs and it is likely be seen as a superpower.
In total, the economy of Africa grew by 3.7% in 2019. This is huge compared to Europe’s 1.9% for the same year. Africa’s rapid economic growth is also projected to continue. Looking again at other global superpowers – China, America, Russia and the European Union – the size of their economies plays a big part in their superpower status and so as Africa grows economically, so will its worldwide influence.
Not only is Africa’s economy growing as a continent, but Africa also has some of the countries with the fastest growing economies in the world. Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire all saw economic growth above 7% in 2019. Remember, the US economy grew by only 2.2% in the same year.
If African countries continue with high economic growth, it will propel the continent’s entire economy and ensure Africa becomes a global superpower.
4. It Has the Right Demographics
Another reason Africa is likely to become a superpower in the coming years is the continents demographic. Africa has a young and growing population – key factors that help countries and regions gain global dominance and influence.
The medium age across Africa is only 19 years old. This means there are millions of people training and entering the workforce each year. Young people also tend to focus on innovation and challenge conventional political and economic orthodoxies. This will help the countries of Africa develop and help to push it towards superpower status.
Africa’s population is also growing! On average the population of the continent increases by around 2.5% a year. Some African countries, such as Somalia, Central African Republic and Mali have the fastest growing populations in the world.
The combination of young and growing population demographics makes the ascendency of Africa to be a global superpower almost inevitable. As long as African countries can create inclusive economies and functional political systems, their demographics will help the continent as a whole become a superpower.
5. It’s Geographical Size
Geographically, Africa is enormous. Its sheer size will help propel it into superpower status alone. Africa is the second largest continent, with a total landmass of 30.3 million Km2.
If we again look at other superpowers, another thing we can see is that they are all geographically large. China is 9.6 million Km2, the USA is 9.8 million Km2 and Russia is 17.3 million Km2. The European Union is comparably tiny at only 4.4 million Km2. Africa is much bigger than any of these at twice or three times the size. The simple enormity of Africa will mean it is likely to become a superpower ass is develops.
Size is beneficial to superpowers at it allows them to support large population, diverse economies, and abundant resources. Almost all nations or regions that have become superpowers cover large geographical areas and as Africa is bigger than almost any, it is likely to follow the trend and become a globally dominant.
6. Africa Has Lots of Innovation
The stereotype of Africa is that it is poor. In many ways this is true. However, across Africa there is huge amount of innovation. In fact, many technologies that assist low- and middle-income countries are coming out of Africa as it begins to tackle its own challenges.
Innovation is key to becoming a superpower and Africa is beginning to embrace technological development. Many current and previous superpowers have gained global dominance by innovating ahead of their competitors. Over the coming decades we can expect Africa to begin to lead the world in some applied sciences.
Currently the innovations coming out of Africa are concentrated in some of the more developed countries. However, if these technological advancements can be spread across the continent, then Africa could well become an innovation leader and a global superpower.
For now, Africa relies extensively on technologies from outside. This is changing and as it does, Africa will further develop and therefore play a bigger role in world affairs.
7. It Has Military Strength
The final reason Africa could be the next superpower is its military strength. When you think of superpowers such as America, Russia or China, the size of their armies definitely comes to mind. Superpowers are able to project their military strength around the world and this is one way they retain global dominance.
Currently the armed forces in Africa are the national militaries of the nations within it. There is no central African army. However, the continent has several significant military forces, including the Egyptian Army, Nigerian Army, South African Army Force and Kenyan Defence Force. African armies are also generally well equipped, which could further help them project their power.
Most of the armed forces in Africa are used to address local conflicts and issues. However, as Africa’s power grows, we are likely to see the armed forces of African countries play a wider role in the world. This could include as part of international alliances or as an increased role in UN Peacekeeping. As Africa begins to use its military strength around the world, it will begin to be considered as a superpower.