DBWI African countries weren't so isolationist.

So I just finished watching the last episode of the BBC series the closed continent and was wondering which was basically a bunch of economists and political thinkers talking about how getting the African continent engaged wth the global system would be great seeing as the continent was home to a huge market that dwarfed Europe. And had plenty of resources that would benefit everyone.

We all know sub saharan African countries with the exception of South Africa went down the isolationist path after decolonisation. Ranging from Somalia's disengaged neutrality were they keep their relations to business first and foremost to Congo's closed door policy who don't even trade with the outside world with the exception of a handful of neighbours.

So it got me thinking WI African Countries were more engaged with the global system.

And why did they go down the road of isolationism.

And how would a non isolationist Africa effect the world.
 
Just South Africa? Have you forgotten about Liberia or Ethiopia? Granted, the former keeps quiet in the American sphere while Ethiopia really only deals with Israel, India, the Republic of China and the US.

I think it’s namely due to the decades of exploration by Europe and they’re incredibly wary of most of the outside world, even former colony states like the US, Mexico and Canada.

Sure, they’re active in the UN community and willing to work, but their economic isolation makes sense since they’d rather get their shit together internally.

Granted, it does mean black markets in those countries are pretty rampant, at least when it comes to luxury items and consumables and even the Congo could not stave off the Internet.

Heck, we got the term “salestourist” from the tourists that serve as impromptu economic connectors.
 
Their economies would probally be better off but less deverse.

A lot of African countries are rich in mineral wealth, oil, and other resources which would make them have issues with dutch disease. The relative isolationism they practice forced them to develop a lot of their own companies in various industries. Unfortantly the protectionism has lead to a lot of zombie companies that produce crap that locals hate but are forced to buy but at the same time the lack of international involvement has created stability that is starting to create more economic growth.

My money is that you would see at least a tripling of the continants money but less functioning democracies and stability as the trade off.
 
Their economies would probally be better off but less deverse.

A lot of African countries are rich in mineral wealth, oil, and other resources which would make them have issues with dutch disease. The relative isolationism they practice forced them to develop a lot of their own companies in various industries. Unfortantly the protectionism has lead to a lot of zombie companies that produce crap that locals hate but are forced to buy but at the same time the lack of international involvement has created stability that is starting to create more economic growth.

My money is that you would see at least a tripling of the continants money but less functioning democracies and stability as the trade off.

Yeah, but if the wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, then not much of a point. That or if the corporations come from the outside to reap in huge profits.

And while the products aren’t good, they are getting better due to having to keep up with their more open neighbors.
 
Yeah, but if the wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, then not much of a point. That or if the corporations come from the outside to reap in huge profits.

And while the products aren’t good, they are getting better due to having to keep up with their more open neighbors.
True I've seen people say that Africa mainly wasn't effected by neo colonial exploitation by multi nation corporation due to their closed nature.

Also it's because of their closed nature that they developed natives industry, such as automotive industries and telecom. And Africa would be more like South east Asia or the Middle East where local companies have been outcompeted by foreign multinationals or bought out, thus depending largely on imports which has led to the debt trap cycle they currently experiencing.
 
Unfortantly the protectionism has lead to a lot of zombie companies that produce crap that locals hate but are forced to buy but at the same time the lack of international involvement has created stability that is starting to create more economic growth.
I won't go as far as to call many of their products crap. Most of companies started way behind the pack of their western counterparts and have done well in catching up. The quality of products have been getting better with certain countries pretty much becoming the world leaders in many aspects. Isn't Nigeria the largest producer of medical equipment in the world.
 
I won't go as far as to call many of their products crap. Most of companies started way behind the pack of their western counterparts and have done well in catching up. The quality of products have been getting better with certain countries pretty much becoming the world leaders in many aspects. Isn't Nigeria the largest producer of medical equipment in the world.

Well, more or less yeah, though given the paperwork involves, it’s hard to say. Nigeria has definitely been one of the most successful economically, though the fact they still seem on the verge of splitting doesn’t help much.
 
We should keep in mind how all this started though:

After World War II, ol Stalin ended up dying of a heart attack and then the scramble for power meant the so-called predicted Cold War never came to be. The UN was formed and Europe focused on de-colonization on Africa. They really didn't notice Africa pretty much moving toward isolation given how Stalin's death triggered problems in China that led to the Decade of Disaster. Pretty much the USA had to convince Canada and Mexico to help deal with the fragile nation though it was put together under the Democratic League.

By the time that was finished, most of Africa closed its doors. North Africa became a middle man of sorts between them while Ethiopia remained dealing with the issue of Eritrea until they finally manged to get them in along with Djibouti.

Stalin surviving would not gurantee anything, but I would not be surprised if the USSR would try and meddle in Africa rather than withdraw into themselves like they did in OTL.
 
I won't go as far as to call many of their products crap. Most of companies started way behind the pack of their western counterparts and have done well in catching up. The quality of products have been getting better with certain countries pretty much becoming the world leaders in many aspects. Isn't Nigeria the largest producer of medical equipment in the world.

I looked up the results on Wikipedia and Nigeria is currently 7th

Their out competed by Germany, America, Japan, south Korea, the united Kingdom, and France but they are the worlds largest producer of IV bags and own 65% of that market which is really impressive for a country of its development and size.
 
Well Botswana is the miracle of africa its a success story how they developed. My money on them being the model for african countries to follow they developed themselves and with a stable democracy i can see them becoming more dominant southern africa. They are producing their own tech now. Most likely the first african country to have r and d on western standards. There phones and tech are on par with Huawei but still lacking hopefully the new models can do better.

Its still a shame Rhodesia tried invading them. They eventually pushed back them back but it forced botswana to become that nickname of 'prussia of africa'.
 
I looked up the results on Wikipedia and Nigeria is currently 7th

Their out competed by Germany, America, Japan, south Korea, the united Kingdom, and France but they are the worlds largest producer of IV bags and own 65% of that market which is really impressive for a country of its development and size.
Yeah also checked again. But they are the largest exporter, since their quality is nearly on par with their western counterparts and relatively cheap allowing them to dominate the South american and Asian markets.
Its still a shame Rhodesia tried invading them. They eventually pushed back them back but it forced botswana to become that nickname of 'prussia of africa'.
oh yeah the infamous bush war that ultimately led to Rhodesia's demise. Still if it wasn't for many African "Volunteers" from Nigeria, Ghana and Congo they wouldn't have won. Still their military reforms postbwar has made them a capable at defending themselves.
 
oh yeah the infamous bush war that ultimately led to Rhodesia's demise. Still if it wasn't for many African "Volunteers" from Nigeria, Ghana and Congo they wouldn't have won. Still their military reforms postbwar has made them a capable at defending themselves
South African v africa cold war wasn't pretty either. South africa support for Rhodesia was literal war all but in name. Western support for South africa vindicated isolationist policies of africa to the population. Even when they were no longer right people still liked them.

Its annoying that racists call the collapse of Rhodesia a war against 'whites' its remarkable that trials held post war were very well managed and non biased. This vindicated the african union but led to africa ultimately seeing the UN as secondary to it.
 
South African v africa cold war wasn't pretty either. South africa support for Rhodesia was literal war all but in name. Western support for South africa vindicated isolationist policies of africa to the population. Even when they were no longer right people still liked them.

Its annoying that racists call the collapse of Rhodesia a war against 'whites' its remarkable that trials held post war were very well managed and non biased. This vindicated the african union but led to africa ultimately seeing the UN as secondary to it.
Agreed the war played a large part in ending apartheid in SA, they saw they couldn't fight the entire continent let alone found a war barring nukes. And the Americans wouldn't let them build nukes since LBJ pretty much was happy for African countries to "expel the white man's influence" since it meant that they didn't go communist. Heck With the exception of Rhodesia and South Africa all country that were "open" in Africa went communist or very pro-USSR ala Egypt, Algeria and Sudan.

After the Morrocon revolution, American foreign policy for Africa pretty much meant slapping anyone who tried anything funny down, Fighting a decades-long peacekeeping war in China and South East Asia meant that a region like Sub Saharan Africa that kept to themselves, caused little headache and whose only interaction with you was sending their brightest and best to study at your universities was welcomed and supported. It's the reason why France left NATO, and Nixon gave a $75 billion dollar bribe convinced Portugal to decolonise. Which is why most African countries have a generally favourable view of the US.
 
Nixon gave a $75 billion dollar bribe convinced Portugal to decolonise.
If the rumour were to believe africa was planning a massive offensive to take Portugal colonies. Nigeria funny enough taking lead with congo providing most of the troops.

Explains why africa has its own military industry, to maks sure the former colonist cant neo-colonise them.

One of those big what ifs all of africa mobilising to take portugal colonies.

Which is why most African countries have a generally favourable view of the US.
I think its more of 'you itch my back i itch your back' african isolationism has made sure american business cannot take over and destroy local businesses. Also the fact america never colonised them helps.
 
So I just finished watching the last episode of the BBC series the closed continent and was wondering which was basically a bunch of economists and political thinkers talking about how getting the African continent engaged wth the global system would be great seeing as the continent was home to a huge market that dwarfed Europe. And had plenty of resources that would benefit everyone.

We all know sub saharan African countries with the exception of South Africa went down the isolationist path after decolonisation. Ranging from Somalia's disengaged neutrality were they keep their relations to business first and foremost to Congo's closed door policy who don't even trade with the outside world with the exception of a handful of neighbours.

So it got me thinking WI African Countries were more engaged with the global system.

And why did they go down the road of isolationism.

And how would a non isolationist Africa effect the world.

I don't know where those BBC presenters got the idea that Africa was "closed off" from the world system following decolonization...
 
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