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Writer's pictureImuetinyan Igbinnosa
Jul 33 min read

Did Europe Really Under-develop Africa?


It was William E. B. Du Bois, an African American intellectual, 1868 to 1963AD, who expressed the popular view that “Retelling the history of Africa will help the rest of the world to discover its rich history.”1 Then there is this other popular view by Walter Rodney, the erudite Guyanese historian, 1942 to 1980AD, that “Europe underdeveloped Africa, at the same rate at which Africa developed Europe.”2 If these two popular award-winning views are juxtaposed, a serious contradiction surfaces that seems to explain why well-meaning interventions to develop Africa, especially by global and Africa-wide organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), have so far not yielded positive results.

Exactly what is the meaning of the ‘rich history’ of Africa, according to Du Bois? If it refers to the abundant natural resources God Almighty has blessed the African Continent with: Then, the ‘rest of the world’ especially European countries like France and Britain would certainly be keenly interested to understand more of the rich history of Africa. Evidently not with the intent to develop Africa as historical facts demonstrate until today: But with intent to cleverly tighten the cords of colonization, to continue the lucrative business of exploiting, plundering, and exporting African resources to develop Europe: Natural resources like gold, diamond, rubber, timber, and humans, especially during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Agreeing with Walter Rodney’s view that Europe under-developed Africa: In a shameful history of colonization and under-development that Africans continue to suffer in the hands of Europeans. Besides, if the cause of African under-development is known to be the exploitative activities of the Europeans, then the solution to African under-development is evident. Is it not? Yet, empowered organizations like the UN, AU, and governments are unwilling to confront the Europeans to end their harmful activities and tactics in Africa, that under-develop Africa. Agreed that hypocrisy is the diplomacy of the present age, but did Europe really under-develop Africa?

On the other hand, if the ‘rich history’ of Africa Du Bois refers to, is the diverse indigenous customs and traditions handed down by the ancestors as folktales: Which craftsmen tell with sculpted images and symbols found across the African Continent, then another reality comes to fore. The reality, which in my humble view, is that these famous past historians have been shining the light of knowledge about how Africa became under-developed, in the wrong places: Including on EUROPE. The intent is not to criticize the views of these great historians. No! Instead, it is to justify the need to look deeper and without bias to find answers that Africans need so desperately to exit a history of harsh colonization plaguing the African Continent.

Placing the blame of African under-development on European countries like France and Britain, evidenced by constant calls for apologies and reparations3 by corrupt leaders and elites, is the exact recipe to perpetuate the evil of painful under-development that the children of Africa suffer. It is only with the truth, that effective partnership that works to successfully lead Africans into a better, brighter, and best future, can be developed.4 Findings reveal that Europe did not under-develop Africa. What then, under-developed Africa?

 





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REFERENCES

1William E.B. Du Bois. 1903. The souls of black folk. Project Gutenberg. Atlanta GA USA.

2Walter Anthony Rodney. 1972. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Bougle-L’Ouverture Publications, UK. 312p.

4The Holy Bible (John 8 vs. 31-47, 10 vs. 10)

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