Energy and the Regional Players: The Odd Rivalry between the EU and China in Africa

Abstract

The place of Africa in the international economy has been deeply affected by its colonial past. During the Cold War, the United States played a less prominent role in the continent than the former colonial powers, delegating to its allies the responsibility for guarding the access to African resources. Later on, George Bush included Africa in his New World Order project. The three most recent US Presidents, starting with Bill Clinton in 1998, have visited Africa in search of potential allies there. The semi-monopoly of the West in Africa became challenged around the turn of the millennium by the emergence of new players from the Global South, mainly from Asia and Latin America. The leading force in that new competition is clearly China, with its activities in Africa concentrated on the energy sector.

The authors thank Drs Dario Speranza (Vice-President), Raffaello Matarazzo, Marco degli Innocenti, Federica Caciagli and Roberto Panico, of the ENI Department of Political and Institutional Scenarios and Analysis, and Professor Giacomo Luciani, PSIA and Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies of Geneva, for valuable suggestions.