Ep 20: The New Scramble for Africa: The Economic History and Future Development of the Region

On this African development-focused episode, we're joined by Dr. Pádraig Carmody, a distinguished professor at Trinity College, University of Dublin, and the author of the book "The New Scramble for Africa."

Professor Carmody guides us through a thought-provoking discussion:

-Unpacking the historical context of African scrambles and their enduring impact on the continent

-Defining what a scramble is and how it shaped the socio-economic landscape of Africa

-Examining the parallels between historical scrambles and the contemporary challenges affecting Africa today

-Insightful analysis of the new scramble (e.g with China) and its implications for the region's economic trajectory

-Exploring the potential future of African development and the key factors that will shape it

We were also joined by, Jon Cayzer, who is a British civil servant and has worked in Africa for several decades.

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Here are the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp for the episode.

(00:00) - Intro

(01:35) - What drove Professor Carmody into writing a book on the scramble for Africa?

(04:43) - In delving into the first scramble for Africa and the influential Berlin Conference, what were the key motivations driving European powers?

(10:58) -  Is the scramble for Africa solely driven by asset stripping for the benefit of the global economy in what we now term the global north, or are their elements of a transformative vision aiming to uplift and shape the continent in a different way?

(19:09) - Did the historical division of Africa during the scramble left lasting consequences on the persistence of poverty and the trajectory of economic development in the region?

(25:13) - How did the historical dynamics affect the current state of institutions in Africa?

(27:55) - How does Professor Carmody envision African states overcoming the challenges of comparative advantage and distance to become potent catalysts for innovation?

(32:57) - How does Rwanda's success, characterized by policy certainty, stand out as a potential model for other Sub-Saharan African countries grappling with similar issues?

(40:59) - How are technological advancements impacting job markets across the continent, and what strategies African nations can adopt to navigate the potential challenges posed by the rapid integration of AI technologies?

(43:42) - What are China's vision for Africa and the strategies they are employing to realize this vision, providing insight into their approach and objectives in the region?

(50:55) -  The role of industrial policy in fostering economic diversification and specialization, and lessons African nations could glean from these examples in shaping their economic strategies.

(52:16) -  Is there a unique role that Africa can play in reimagining the global economy, offering solutions that transcend the limitations of the previous neoliberal frameworks?

(58:46) - Outro

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*Shownotes*