On Mar. 18, UFV and the Department of Political Science welcomed Dr. Hippolyte Fofack as a guest lecturer for the Political Science department’s Politalk series. He spoke about Africa’s expanding economic footprint and the potential for a trade relationship with Canada. The talk also marked the 10 year anniversary of Politalk, which has brought knowledge and expertise from all over the world to UFV. This latest talk drew in not just students, but members from Abbotsford and the broader community.
Fofack described an Africa that is economically fragmented, with only around 15 per cent of Africa’s total trade being intracontinental, meaning that very little is exchanged between African nations.
Furthermore, Fofack explained that the continent’s global manufacturing contribution as a whole stands at just 1.5 per cent, with most industries being focused around resource extraction and exportation.
“Most of [the] value creations [and] value additions happen outside the African continent under that colonial development of resource extractions.”
“Where [are] bicycles coming from? We see China, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore. So even the bicycle, which is not high-end technology, you don’t see a single African in bicycle manufacturing. They’re excluded from low end and of course also excluded from high end [manufacturing]. Where does Boeing come from? We see Canada, which is wonderful, but we do not see a single African country in high-tech manufacturing. This is part of Africa’s colonial legacy, where global systems are designed to extract resources and Western countries such as Germany, United States, and Canada benefit more than Africa because of it.”
Fofack explained that Africa’s growth is stunted because of its consistent operation at the bottom of global chains due to colonial development resource extractions that have taken place since the 1970s, which has contributed to a widened income gap compared to the rest of the world.
However, Fofack was confident that Africa is capable of breaking out and becoming an economic powerhouse.
“The challenge, however, is transcending that resource extractivist model to establish a new partnership.”
Fofack also mentioned that Africa’s planned African Continental Free Trade Agreement could transform the continent’s economy, generating $450 billion for the continent by 2035, which will improve their quality of life. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’s principal blueprint to transform Africa into a future global powerhouse. It would help simplify access to the African market, making it easier for Canadian and African companies to exchange business.
“You see the impact in Nigeria and the African Continental Free Trade Area agreements, which establish the largest free trade area. The membership has been held as a gamechanger with the potential to address fragmentation risk, and essentially, boost the diversification of source of growth across the continent and expand Africa’s global economic footprint.”
Africa’s marginal position in the global economy is not due to a lack of resources, ability, or potential. Fofack explained that it is due to Africa’s systematic position on the global market. However, this is not a permanent position. A key driver of Africa’s future growth, according to Fofack, lies in its demographics. He explained the continent is projected to account for a significant portion of the global population in the coming decades, with a rapidly expanding and youthful workforce.
This stands in stark contrast to countries like Canada, which are experiencing aging populations and labor shortages. Fofack described this as a form of demographic complementarity, where Africa’s growth can help offset economic stagnation elsewhere. In this way, Africa’s rise is not just a regional development, but a global economic necessity.
“As other regions such as Europe and Asia confront aging populations and diminishing labor forces, Africa is expected to emerge as a significant contributor to global labor supply. A demographic advantage that could position the regions as a pivotal driver of worldwide economic growth.”
Throughout the lecture, Fofack emphasized the opportunity that this potential for growth presents an opportunity for Canada. The Canadian government has increasingly sought to diversify its trading partners, especially as the United States has become an unreliable trading partner. His lecture comes at a time when that choice is fast approaching. As the African continent continues to coordinate its economies and generate more value, it remains a key ally to consider.
“Deepening economic ties with Africa is not merely an act of opportunistic expansion. It is a strategic imperative for Canada. Long-term growth and resilience. Africa is set to become the inevitable path to resilient growth.”
