Thread by @cchukudebelu

In geopolitics, things don't happen because "it is good if they happen". Things happen if it is the interest of some actor.

For example, while US policy makers might see Africa's prosperity as a "good thing", it is not where US interests lie. It is simply not their business.

US interests in Africa are related to containing China, ensuring that nobody launches a terrorist attack on US interests/citizens from here and securing access to key minerals / airfields /ports.

Will a prosperous Africa help US contain China? Neither here nor there.

Washington knows that trade with China will be a major driver of African prosperity - so African prosperity isn't a priority to them the same way prosperity of Asian tigers was.

What are the geopolitical benefits to the US if Africa's GDP doubles? Not really significant.

Fintech is an area of geopolitical significance to Washington in Africa - for the simple reason they don't want the Chinese to dominate Fintech in Africa;

So a lot of US money is pouring in there, and CIA is working behind the scenes to make things happen.

Is a prosperous Africa in Europe's strategic interests?

Yes and no. Growing per capita income will lead to more migration to Europe (up till $6,000 - 7,000/capita), so European policy makers aren't excited about a prosperous Africa.

Migration and security are top concerns.

Then we consider what happens within Africa. Consider Nigeria, Nigeria's politics of "stomach infrastructure" cannot work with a growing middle class.

So, Nigerian policy makers have like zero motivation to create a prosperous Nigeria. They see no "benefit" in it.

So at the end of the day, you need to understand that nobody really wants to you be prosperous.

The odds are stacked against you.

So if you want to prosper, you must fight for it.