By Sally Aminu
The concept of global Britain is about Britain reinvesting in its relationships, championing the rules– based international order, demonstrating that the United Kingdom [UK] is open, outward – looking and confident on the world stage. The UK has always led in responding to global challenges and in making the most of opportunities for the UK.
But its information and influence are currently dispersed and contested amongst many more actors, both state and non – state. This, and the pace of change in ever more challenging global environment, inevitably is having a significant impact on how the UK government now projects its influence, and protects its national interests. Given the shifting global context, a new relationship with Europe, and the need to deliver more with finite resources, the UK is determined to evolve how it can achieve its goals.
It has now realized that it needs to use its assets more cohesively and efficiently to maintain its global standing. Its new modern industrial strategy is to ensure every nation and area of the UK can make the most of the opportunities ahead. To achieve that goal the UK is strengthening its neo – colonial practices in Africa, particularly in this post – Brexit era , where its global Britain agenda has been criticized as a continuation of its exploitative relationships with Africa states.
Brexit was the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union [EU], following a referendum held in the UK on June 23 2016. Brexit officially took place on January 31, 2020.The British government then believed that the UK’s place in the EU came at the expense of its global ties, and a bolder embrace of free trade with the wider world. And so must have Brexit to become more global and internationalist in action and in spirit.
Neo – colonialism refers to the indirect control of former colonies through economic, political, and cultural means, often benefiting the former colonial power at the expense of the sovereignty and development of the affected nations.Even the British promotion of its language, education systems, and cultural values in Africa is still seen by some as a continuation of its colonial – era cultural domination.
This cultural neo – colonialism is stillundermining African traditions and identities, reinforcing the perception of Western superiority. Critics argue that the UK policies and actions in Africa perpetuate dependency, resource exploitation, and unequal power dynamics. The UK is currently being accused of engaging in a ‘’new scramble for Africa’’, particularly in the energy and mining sectors.
Observers say that British companies dominate the extraction of Africa’s oil, gas, and minerals, often under terms that disproportionately benefit the UK while leaving Africa nations with minimal revenue. And many of these companies have been linked to exploitative practices that prioritize profit over local development and environmental sustainability.
Since the UK withdrew from EU, it has been seeking to establish new trade agreements with African countries. However, these agreements are often criticized for perpetuating unequal trade relationships, where African nations export raw materials to the UK while importing finished goods, thus reinforcing dependency and limiting industrialization.
Even its funded development programs often come with conditions that affirm dependency and fail to address the root causes of poverty. For instance, the UK International Citizen Service program has been criticized for perpetuating unequal economic relations between the developed countries that make up the Global North and the developing countries of the South, rather than fostering genuine partnerships.
There is a growing consensus that the UK’s pursuit of its security interests in Africa, particularly in regions affected by terrorism and instability, is seen as a form of neo – colonialism. Because its security partnerships prioritize British security concerns over the needs of African nations, perpetuating unequal relationship.
Analysts point out that the British foreign policy in Africa favor local elites who align with UK interests, often at the expense of broader democratic governance and development. This mirrors the colonial – era practice of indirect rule, where local leaders were co-opted to serve imperial interests.
The UK has promised a new era of equal partnerships with African countries, however critics argue that its actions suggest otherwise. The agreement known in aviation circle as Bilateral Air Service Agreement [BASA] between Nigeria and UK, specifies equal privileges for two airlines from each side operating into each other’s territory unhindered as far as there is no safety or security violations. But while Nigeria has kept to the agreement with the utmost support for the British carriers, the reverse has been the case with the British authorities as they continue to change the rules of the agreement at the slightest opportunity.
Agreed that Nigeria may still be far from the expected position. But the weakness should not be capitalized on by the British authorities to rub mud in the face of the country. The UK’s renewed focus on Africa is partly driven by competition with other global powers, such as China and Russia. However, this approach risks treating African nations as pawns in a geopolitical game, rather than as equal partners.
Many African nations, however, are beginning to push back against exploitative trade agreements and demanding greater control over their resources and economies, The Alliance of Sahel States are leading in that challenge . Seemingly undeterred, the UK continues its neo – colonialism in Africa with critics pointing to its economic exploitation, political influence, and cultural domination as evidence of its ongoing indirect control.
While the global Britain agenda promises equal partnerships, its actions often reinforce dependency and inequality. Addressing these criticisms will require the UK to adopt genuinely equitable policies that prioritize African sovereignty, development, and self determination over its own geopolitical and economic interests.
• Aminu writes from Jos Plateau State