A new oil scene is emerging in Africa, thanks to the rising price of petroleum products. Many players, American, European or Asian, are competing to dominate this scene, given fresh impetus by recent discoveries. This competition risks compounding the perverse effects of black gold so often observed in weak states: distorted economies, generalised corruption, damaged environments and human rights abuses. On the other hand, a number of international initiatives are encouraging more responsible behaviour amongst mining companies and states involved in the extraction process, with a view to making them contribute more effectively to development. This article attempts to clarify the prospects opened up by the encounter between these two contradictory movements.
The Black Gold Rush: an Opportunity to Get Africa Out of its Impasse?
The African oil scene is beset by contradictory forces. On the one hand, prospects in the world oil marketplace would not seem to augur well for Africa’s development. In the long term the continent looks set to become a captive supplier of the raw materials of globalisation. More than any other extraction industry, oil exploitation stimulates conflict, corruption, environmental damage and human rights abuse, hindering the development of sound institutions and diversified economies. Black gold seems to be very closely linked to the vicious circle of underdevelopment. However, the worldwide increase in demand and the political uncertainties of the Middle East region are encouraging competition between regimes and oil companies for control of resources. Where states are weak, this rivalry runs the risk of fuelling the negative effects of black gold. The most pessimistic view reflects fears of general chaos, with its corollaries of migratory pressure on Europe and growing terrorism across the globe. At the same time, an international movement to improve the management of oil resources is being accompanied by a degree of progress among the producer countries which might exorcise the ghost of the ‘oil curse’ and allow black gold to contribute to development. This article will try to clarify the confrontation between these two opposing forces.
I will start by examining the new African oil scene(1) in the light of resource geography, and of the heavy dependency of states, whether or not they are themselves producers. I will then analyse the oil strategies of the different players, historical (European, American) or recent (Asian), who are competing for control of oil resources on the Dark Continent, by considering the implications for development. Finally, I will question current trends in oil resource management and the prospects that they offer.
The Remodelled African Oil Scene
The Advantages of Sub-Saharan Oil
Africa’s share of world oil production does not accurately reflect the advantages it has to offer. In fact the whole continent represents barely ten per cent of world production and reserves, and five per cent comes from sub-Saharan Africa; but it has special attractions for international companies.
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