Africa’s long fight for independence was supposed to usher in an era of self-rule, economic growth, and political stability. However, despite the formal end of colonial rule in the mid-20th century, many African nations remain under the heavy influence of European powers.
The grip of the former colonizers manifests through political interference, economic exploitation, and environmental hypocrisy. European nations continue to dictate policies in Africa, using sanctions, trade barriers, and environmental concerns as tools of control, ensuring that the continent remains subservient to their interests.
Sanctions
One of the primary ways Europe maintains control over Africa is through economic sanctions and trade restrictions. Countries like Zimbabwe have been at the receiving end of such punitive measures for decades.
After implementing land reforms that sought to redistribute white-owned commercial farms to indigenous Zimbabweans, the European Union and the United States imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.
These sanctions crippled the country’s economy, leading to inflation, unemployment, and a decline in basic services. While European nations justified these actions as a response to human rights violations, the real motive was to punish Zimbabwe for challenging Western economic dominance and disrupting European settlers’ long-standing privileges.
Similarly, the European Union imposes stringent trade barriers on African products, making it difficult for African nations to export goods to European markets.
For instance, while Africa produces some of the best agricultural products, such as cocoa and coffee, European regulations on food safety and tariffs make it nearly impossible for African farmers to compete fairly. Instead, Europe continues to import raw materials at low prices and export finished products back to Africa at inflated costs, ensuring that the continent remains dependent on European industries.
European nations have positioned themselves as global champions of environmental protection, using climate policies to dictate Africa’s economic choices. However, their stance on environmental issues is often dictated by self-interest rather than genuine concern for the planet.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a joint venture between Uganda and Tanzania, has been labeled an environmental disaster by European institutions. France and the European Parliament have openly criticized the project, calling for its abandonment due to its alleged threat to biodiversity and climate change.
Yet, European oil giants such as Shell and Total continue to extract fossil fuels across Africa without facing similar scrutiny.
For example, Total has been drilling oil in Nigeria for decades, causing massive environmental destruction, including oil spills that have devastated local ecosystems and displaced communities. Shell, another European corporation, has left a trail of pollution in the Niger Delta, leading to severe health and economic problems for the local population.
Despite this, Europe has not sanctioned these companies or demanded an end to their operations. The hypocrisy is glaring: projects that benefit Europe are deemed necessary and environmentally responsible, while those that uplift African economies are branded destructive and unethical.
Political Interference
Beyond economic and environmental policies, Europe also continues to meddle in Africa’s political affairs. The recent coups in West Africa have highlighted how European countries, particularly France, refuse to let go of their neocolonial control over African states.
Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have rejected French influence, with military juntas demanding the withdrawal of French troops. Despite these clear signs of resistance, France and its European allies persist in shaping the political landscape of these nations by supporting opposition groups, funding civil society organizations that align with European interests, and imposing economic restrictions on governments that refuse to comply.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), European-backed corporations have long exploited the country’s mineral wealth while keeping it politically unstable. The DRC, rich in cobalt and other essential minerals for modern technology, remains one of the poorest and most conflict-ridden countries in the world. European companies continue to profit from Congolese resources while ensuring that instability persists, making it easier to exploit the country’s wealth without accountability.
Africa’s youth and progressive leaders are increasingly rejecting European interference and demanding genuine sovereignty. The emergence of Pan-African movements, economic diversification efforts, and partnerships with non-Western powers such as China and Russia indicate a shift towards self-reliance. Countries like Rwanda have demonstrated that economic independence is possible by reducing reliance on Western aid and focusing on industrialization and intra-African trade.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is another significant step towards breaking Europe’s economic grip. By fostering trade among African nations, the AfCFTA aims to reduce dependence on European markets and create a robust internal economy. If properly implemented, such initiatives could pave the way for a truly independent Africa, free from European manipulation.
Europe’s continued interference in Africa is a modern form of colonialism disguised as economic partnerships, environmental advocacy, and political assistance. The reality is that Europe seeks to maintain its grip on Africa to preserve its economic dominance and geopolitical influence.
African nations must resist these manipulative tactics by strengthening intra-African cooperation, diversifying trade partnerships, and asserting political autonomy. Only then can Africa truly achieve the independence it fought for decades ago. The time has come for Europe to let Africa define its path without external interference.