Navigating a Changing Global Landscape: An African and Business Perspective

Amen Amouna | Contributor on travel and airline-related topics

The global landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a new world order emerging, led by major powers like Russia, China, and the United States. This shift is bringing about increased tariffs, sanctions, and trade barriers, creating an unpredictable environment that demands careful navigation from nations and businesses alike.

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 Navigating International Relations

 Recently, we’ve seen instances of nations imposing bans on each other. For example, some

 African countries, including Congo, faced a travel ban from the USA. In response,

 Chad’s president invoked reciprocity, implementing a similar ban on Americans. The Republic of Congo, however, chose a different path, opting for dialogue and diplomatic negotiations to address the ban.

 We’ve also recently witnessed how the USA handled the DRC and Rwanda conflicts, which has left many speechless and confused. This highlights the critical need for African leaders to find African solutions and resolve conflicts without external interference.

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Africa possesses skilled diplomats and mediators, and it’s crucial to leverage these internal resources to resolve disputes and engage effectively on the global stage. Africans in general need to understand the world’s realities and take action accordingly.

Ultimately, African leaders should prioritise African solutions to African problems, seeking to foster a shared vision that can bring shared prosperity to the entire continent, and indeed, to the world.

 Changes in Passenger Rights

 For those in the aviation sector, it’s vital to be aware of recent developments in passenger rights.  EU aviation ministers have agreed to changes in EU passenger rights that could negatively impact travellers, particularly those undertaking long-haul journeys. For instance, sub-Saharan African passengers, who often pay some of the highest ticket prices globally, may see their compensation for delays reduced from €600 to €500. Furthermore, the delay time required to qualify for compensation will increase from three hours to six hours.

 Business Adaptation in a New World

 For business owners, understanding the complexities of this new geopolitical environment is paramount. The West’s imposition of sanctions on numerous countries, such as Russia, means that a London-based business like mine must exercise extreme caution.

Engaging in imports or exports with sanctioned nations could lead to significant repercussions. It’s also important to note that countries like Russia have likely implemented reciprocal policies against Western nations.

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Moreover, the previous Trump administration warned that countries aligning with the BRICS alliance in ways that counter US interests could face an additional 10         % tariff. This highlights the critical need to “know your partners” and to be aware of their alliances and supply chains.

 Strategic Preparation for African Nations and Businesses

 Africa must proactively prepare for this evolving environment. This includes:

• Diversifying Partnerships:  Look for new partners who share your values and interests, fostering collaboration and seeking inspiration from diverse sources.
• Prioritising Sustainable Development :  Africa needs to differentiate between development and Westernisation. Focus on achieving sustainable development based on indigenous values and principles, rather than simply adopting foreign models. For example, building houses in Africa with heaters, like those in the UK, without considering local climate and needs, illustrates a misdirected approach.
• Ensuring Food Security:   Food security in Africa is crucial. Countries heavily reliant on single export crops, like Ghana or Ivory Coast on cocoa, must re-evaluate their agricultural strategies. A dual approach is needed: continued production for export to generate foreign currency, alongside a dedicated focus on local food production to ensure self-sufficiency in times of crisis, such as trade wars or sanctions.
• Strategic Analysis:  Both countries and businesses should regularly conduct SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal) analyses. These tools are essential for reviewing policies and procedures, adapting to changes, and identifying new opportunities.
• Rethinking External Aid:  African governments should actively seek partners with shared values and a common vision for success. It’s imperative to detox from grants and aid, as well as “shark loans” that may seem too good to be true and often come with detrimental conditions. Thoroughly scrutinise contracts to ensure they truly serve national interests.
• Leveraging Internal Resources: Depend less on foreign aid and expertise. Instead, utilise internal human resources and only import what is genuinely needed.

The Path Forward

 As a business owner in the aviation sector, I am actively reviewing my processes and preparing for potential changes. In this unpredictable new world, adaptability is key.

 This shifting global dynamic presents an unparalleled opportunity for Africa to  recover its dignity and assert a powerful voice in shaping the new world order. By understanding global realities and acting accordingly, the continent can work towards a shared vision that brings prosperity not only to its own people but to the world at large.

 Amen Amouna, Founder of Getiback

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