Waqas Abdullah

At the turn of the 21st century the notion of colonialism might seem archaic, but it seems to be making a comeback in new forms. Spain may serve as an example of another such strategy, now called often “neo-colonialism.” Like other global powers of Western states, Spain has been involved in developing policies towards the African continent, but which are not necessarily innocent. Spain’s efforts like extending scholarships to many African students or funding different development projects may indeed be seen as Spain’s move towards cooperation, but they are equally considered as adjustments of a colonial power staking resources and authority to perpetual its dominance over Africa in the modern era.

The African countries have been leading targets of imports of agricultural products and manufacturing destinations for the developed countries in the last many years. Spain’s recent policies exemplify this continuous interaction but in a more advanced manner. Such new policies include mechanics, including the provision of scholarships to young African students and advocating for development projects to cultivate a favorable image of Spain as well as employment of mechanisms that will enhance economic, social, and political relations between Spain and the African countries.

On one unpretentious leveling, these goals may look like a real desire to contribute to the enhancement of African education as well as educational facilities. But it is impossible to look the other way with the motivations that lie at the root of the problem. The scholarships for example have the impact of training a generation of Africans in Spanish institutions which is likely to make them more favorable to Spain in the political, social, and economic sphere of their home country. This attempt at molding the African intellectual through education is thus a classic form of neocolonialism through which Spain has gradually gained more soft power across Africa.

Among the flagship programs in Spain remains the program “Scholarships for Africa,” which is to offer young Africans to continue their education in Spain. It is a remarkable advance on the project of creating educational ties between Spain and several African states for the selection of talented school leavers, who have no opportunities to get scholarships by themselves. What may sound like a noble cause on the surface is to assist in shaping the future generation of African leaders and professionals. But what if this kind of soft power is not really to help Africa develop, but instead to create another generation of Africans that would be receptive to Spanish incursions? Besides these educational initiatives, Spain has also been promoting a range of development initiatives concerning such areas as infrastructure, health care and employment.

For example, “Spain-Africa 2023” initiative that aims at increasing Spain’s economic relations with Africa provides funding for businesses and projects from Africa which include energy amendment, farming, and technology. Even though projects of this kind could also be of assistance in enhancing the growth of Africa, some critics see such ventures as methods by which Spain can lock Europe into long-term dependence on Spanish goods, behind which one finds selfish economic interests. It is seen in the manner the West deals with African countries in matters touching on migration and security this is form of neo-colonialism.

Spain has done its best to reduce the influx of aliens, especially from the African continent in Europe by closing the Mediterranean migration channels. This approach can be also viewed as one more demonstration of how Spain tries to dominate the African states. Spain is using its influence to build its policies in cooperation with African states by buying their cooperation to act in a way that Spain wants them to act. This is a form of neocolonialism since African countries is being compelled to accept policies under the pretext of partnerships. The unspoken message is that Spain, Europe in general, can set the rules on how it will engage with Africa and in matters that are of paramount concern to CI African people today: migration and availability of resources. However, as it will be seen, these measures suggest that these policies are indicative of the continued hegemonic imperialism of the West in Africa. Since the colonialism period up to the present time African continent is still being exploited by the developed countries in the West. Thus, it continues to this very day albeit in a not so crude form but on the same principle.

Employing economic endeavors, educational schemes, and political participation, nations, such as Spain, are gaining their niche in Africa and calling it cooperation and development. But the truth of the matter is that such attempts only serve to draw a nation deeper into the web adopted by the West making African nations become solely reliant on the powers that be for their survival economically and politically. The question then becomes: how can Africa break free from this cycle of dependency? One potential answer lies in fostering stronger regional unity and reducing reliance on foreign aid and investment. African countries must take charge of their development and create policies that prioritize local businesses, entrepreneurs, and resources. This would involve focusing on building sustainable industries, increasing intra-Africa trade, and investing in the education and empowerment of young people. While foreign investment and cooperation are important, Africa must not allow these relationships to undermine its sovereignty and independence. Only through such measures can African nations hope to create a future that is free from the new colonialism that continues to shape their destinies.

In conclusion, while Spain’s initiatives in Africa may seem like a positive force for development, they are part of a broader pattern of neo-colonialism that continues to shape global power dynamics. By providing scholarships, funding development projects, and establishing economic partnerships, Spain is creating a system that secures its interests at the expense of Africa’s autonomy. It is essential that African nations recognize these dynamics and work towards achieving self-sufficiency and political independence, ensuring that the mistakes of the past do not continue to haunt them in the future.

 (Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Himalayan Research Institute Pakistan - (THRIP)

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Waqas Abdullah is a geopolitical and strategic analyst with a special focus on Indo-Pacific politics, power patterns, and the Middle Eastern region. He has a deep interest in the comparative analysis of great powers and emerging powers. Waqas is a member of several prominent organizations, including GCCF, IGN, SEFAS, ECOWAS, the Creative Society, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He is actively engaged in addressing issues related to climate refugees, displaced people, and climate advocacy, working to raise awareness and drive action on these critical global challenges. He can be reached at: [email protected]