In recent years, the stir over tariffs and trade imbalances has reignited an important conversation: Africa’s enduring economic subjugation to Western powers. As countries on the continent confront tariffs, sanctions, and trade restrictions, often dictated by international institutions or foreign governments, an opportunity has emerged for introspection and resistance. This moment, marked by discontent and recalibration, may be the catalyst for Africa’s long-overdue economic emancipation.
Africa accounts for roughly 17% of the world’s population yet contributes only 3% to global GDP and a paltry 2.3% to global trade. This imbalance is not accidental. It is the result of a post-colonial economic order that has kept African nations tethered to raw material exportation while importing finished goods at exorbitant costs. In 2022 alone, African countries exported over $260 billion worth of raw materials, including oil, minerals, and agricultural commodities, while importing $450 billion in processed goods, much of which could be produced locally with the right infrastructure.
Trade tariffs, often imposed by Western blocs such as the European Union or the United States under the guise of protecting domestic markets or enforcing quality standards, disproportionately affect African economies. For instance, EU agricultural subsidies create an uneven playing field for African farmers, with EU farmers receiving an estimated €54 billion annually in support, effectively pricing out African exports in European markets. Similarly, tariffs on cocoa butter and chocolate are significantly higher than on raw cocoa beans, ensuring that Africa remains a raw material supplier rather than a finished goods exporter.
This structural setup has perpetuated economic dependency. It stifles industrial growth, drives youth unemployment, and leaves nations vulnerable to the fluctuations of global commodity markets. As a result, despite its resource wealth, Africa remains home to 33 of the world’s 46 least developed countries, according to the UN.
However, a wave of leaders and thinkers are beginning to challenge this paradigm. One notable figure is Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the young interim president of Burkina Faso. His administration has signaled a sharp departure from Western-dominated economic relationships, advocating for local control over resources, stronger inter-African trade ties, and partnerships based on equity rather than dependence. His calls for the nationalization of key mining assets and emphasis on food sovereignty have found resonance far beyond Burkina Faso.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), if properly implemented, could be a turning point. With a projected market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2035. Currently, intra-African trade stands at a dismal 15%, compared to 68% in Europe and 59% in Asia. Tariff reductions and harmonization under AfCFTA could reverse decades of externally-driven trade patterns and stimulate local manufacturing, processing, and value addition.
Projections by the World Bank estimate that full implementation of AfCFTA could lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and increase income levels by 9% by 2035. This would require not only infrastructural investment but also visionary leadership ready to withstand external pressure, rethink foreign policy, and prioritize long-term economic sovereignty.
The “tariff brouhaha”, as some have called it, is more than a diplomatic disagreement. It is a battle cry against the structural remnants of economic colonialism. As Africa begins to assert its position in global trade debates, the path forward must include economic introspection, resource control, and a rejection of exploitative trade norms. If guided by bold leaders with nationalist vision and backed by a mobilized citizenry, Africa can harness its God-given wealth and transform it into prosperity not just for the elite, but for the continent’s masses.
History may one day remember this era not as one of crisis, but as the dawn of Africa’s second liberation, economic, sovereign, and unapologetically self-determined.
By Hon. Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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