BREAKING DEPENDENCY CHAINS: A PATH TO OVERCOMING UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

 INTRODUCTION

This paper explores the ways in which Africa and other parts of the world have remained underdeveloped while Western countries have become developed. It does this by comparing the similarities and differences between developed and underdeveloped countries.

 Babatunde and Iwu (2023) argue that without comparison, true knowledge is hanging. Similarly, Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) noted that without making comparisons, the mind does not know how to proceed. Therefore, this study examines how the African continent can liberate itself and break away from the chains of underdevelopment physically, psychologically, and ideologically.

Dependency theorists such as Claude Ake, Theotonio Dos Santos, Andre Gunder Frank, and Walter Rodney, among others, argue that many African countries remain poor because their economies depend heavily on developed countries for finance, technology, trade, and policy direction.

 According to them, this dependency relationship has contributed significantly to the persistent underdevelopment of Africa and other Third World countries thus Walter Rodney in his famous book 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ argued that Africa’s poverty and backwardness were not natural or accidental. According to him, Africa was deliberately underdeveloped through exploitation by European powers during slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism, This exploitation prevented Africa from developing politically, economically, and technologically.

To break this chain of dependency and achieve sustainable development, several strategic steps are necessary. These include promoting scientific and technological development, encouraging industrialization, reforming educational systems, and effectively harnessing Africa’s natural and human resources. Nevertheless, the reverse has largely been the case in Africa and many other Third World countries.

Main argument of dependency theory

First, the theory argues that financial dependence, such as the over-reliance on foreign loans, aid, and grants, makes the economic policies of recipient countries subject to external control and influence. For example, Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration (2015–2023), Nigeria’s external debt rose significantly from about $7.3 billion in 2015 to about $28.57 billion by 2020, reflecting an increase of approximately $21 billion in foreign borrowing.

Second, Dependency theorists maintain that limited industrialization—particularly the inability to transform raw materials into finished goods has contributed greatly to the underdevelopment of Africa and other developing countries. For instance, Nigeria exports crude oil to Europe and other developed countries, where it is refined into petroleum products. Nigeria then imports these refined products back at much higher prices due to its limited industrial capacity.

Third, the theory emphasizes historical exploitation, especially during the colonial period, which structured African economies in a way that benefits developed countries while leaving African nations underdeveloped.

                                 MAIN FINDINGS

Kwame Nkrumah once argued in his book ‘Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism' that the only way out of Africa’s underdevelopment is the complete defeat of colonialism and neo-colonialism. However, an important question arises: how can colonialism and neo-colonialism be effectively vanquished?

One possible answer lies in the adoption of scientific thinking and indigenous development strategies. This involves identifying local skills and talents within African societies, cultivating them, and harnessing them for national development. In The Critique of Modernizing Soldier, Adekanye argued that Africa should rely more on its local knowledge systems rather than blindly adopting Western models, which may not always suit African realities. For instance, China provides a good example of a country that relied on its internal capacity for development.

Instead of fully embracing foreign theories, China identified and developed its own skills and talents. This approach reflects the philosophy of Mao Zedong, who once stated that he did not believe in quick victory but rather in the victory that comes through sustained national struggle and self-reliance.

Similarly, during the pre-colonial and early nationalist period in India, there were deliberate efforts to preserve indigenous systems of knowledge and technical skills rather than simply copying the British model. The focus was on cultivating and strengthening local capabilities called ’India diseases'

Unfortunately, the reverse has largely been the case in many African countries. Even in the military sector, dependence on foreign countries remains common. For example, the United States Constitution designates the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and the militia of the various states. This structure reflects a strong domestic military foundation built on internal training and organization across the states.

The question therefore arises: why does dependency persist in many African states? One major reason is the continued existence of the colonial mentality, where African states remain psychologically and institutionally tied to their former colonial masters even after gaining political independence.

A clear example can be seen in Nigeria’s attempt to develop military self-reliance. In 1964, the Nigerian government established the defense industries corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to build a domestic military industrial complex capable of producing weapons and military equipment locally. The aim was to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported military hardware. This initiative was supported by prominent Nigerian nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo, who believed that Nigeria needed stronger economic and technological capacity to support its defense system.

 However, DICON has historically underperformed due to obsolete infrastructure, funding gaps, and a lack of political will to foster local production, forcing reliance on imports. Despite new reforms, the corporation cannot meet the high demand and quality requirements of the military, necessitating the procurement of boots and other equipment from countries like the UAE. This situation illustrates the persistent weakness in Africa’s technological and industrial development.

Awolowo once observed that Nigeria’s economy and policy structure were too fragile to sustain advanced military capabilities such as nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, he emphasized that if a nation truly desires military strength, it must be willing to invest heavily in it, even if it requires borrowing and prioritizing defense development above other expenditures. Scientific and technological advancement that is supported with sound political education has direct positive and multiplier effects. Firstly, it boosts economic and military power in at least two ways. 

Secondly, innovations and discoveries directly affect military technology as well as industrial, agricultural, and management techniques. 

Thirdly, scientific and technological advancement indirectly affects labor productivity and the residual, and hence the economy.

Another major challenge is the lack of competitiveness in technical skills and innovation across many African and other developing countries. Instead of developing original knowledge systems, many institutions continue to imitate western educational and technological models. This persistent dependency has contributed to negative perceptions about Africa. For instance, a controversial remark was once made by Donald trump, the current president of the united states, referring to some African and Latin American countries in derogatory terms as “shithole countries.”

Today, many African youths migrate to western countries in search of better opportunities to develop their technical skills and knowledge. While this migration benefits those western countries, it often leaves African nations with a shortage of skilled professionals. This phenomenon contributes to what scholars describe as the technological gap between developed countries in Europe and North America and developing countries in Africa and other parts of the Global South.

PRACTICAL STATEGIES FOR BREAKING THE CHAIN OF DEPENDECY AND ACHIEVING SELF RELIANCE

In the article wrote by Dr Hyacinth Iwu titled ‘Football theory of Scientific development' viewed some various ways to break this chain of dependency.

1. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT: Dr Iwu clarified what he meant by ‘Science’ as a systematic process that is applied in the identification, selection and development of any knowledge or skills in which is to be done by the national team Coach in searching for young talented individuals as football coaches do, the focus of the professors should not be on the socio-cultural or socio-economic background and other related characteristics but the skills inherent in the youngsters. African countries must invest heavily in science, research and innovation. Development cannot occur of nations depend on foreign countries for technology.

2. STRENGTHENING THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS: It was viewed that tertiary institutions (universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics) as national teams that should serve as centers for harnessing and developing raw talents and skills. He describes professors as coaches or technical advisers who guide others. Junior lecturers, students, non-students, and even illiterate individuals are referred to as players because they possess hidden talents. According to him, professors should discover, train, and scientifically develop these talents so they can contribute to economic development. Education should focus on skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship, not only on theoretical knowledge, while also encouraging research, especially among the growing youth, for national development.

3. ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION : There must be an expansion of agriculture and manufacturing, as well as encouragement of entrepreneurship to identify and develop individual skills and talents. African countries should focus more on small-scale industries because many of them rely on one major export commodity (such as oil, cocoa, coffee, or minerals). For example, Nigeria mainly exports crude oil and imports refined petroleum at high prices. This overdependence makes the economy vulnerable; when prices fall, the economy suffers.

CONCLUSION 

        Breaking the chains of dependency requires self-reliance, industrialization, strong tertiary institutions as centers for harnessing and developing raw talents and skills, scientific research advancement, and strong political leadership. African countries must shift from being exporters of raw materials and consumers of foreign goods to becoming producers, innovators, and manufacturers, as well as independent economic actors. Through strategic policies and collective effort, Africa can overcome underdevelopment and achieve sustainable growth.

REFERENCES

Babatunde H. Iwu, N.H.(2023). Without Comparison true knowledge is hanging: Exploring the relevance of comparative politics. Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of political science (NAJOPS) 8(3)

G.O. Olusanya and R.A. Akindele. Nigerians’ External Relations :The first Twenty five year.” University Press limited Ibadan 1986 Pg 43-44

Iwu N.H (2020). Football theory of Scientific development: A theory for the end of Africa’s underdevelopment. Social Scientia Journal of the Social sciences and Humanities, 5(3) 10-27

Walter Rodney. Titled “How Europe undeveloped Africa “.

This article was originally published on Medium.

https://medium.com/@ojopeace535/breaking-dependency-chains-a-path-to-overcoming-underdevelopment-in-africa-fba30eb8820d