In Class Struggle in Africa, Kwame Nkrumah identifies two primary enemies of the continent:
- The imperialists in the metropolises.
- The African bourgeoisie (intellectuals and middle class) accustomed to luxury.
While imperialist economic forces directly drain Africa’s resources and perpetuate exploitative conditions, the African bourgeoisie—comprised of intellectuals and the middle class—feeds off the scraps of the neocolonial economy. They act as aides to imperialism. Both groups hinder Africa’s progress: imperialists by design, and the African bourgeoisie by short-sighted self-interest and a thirst for short-term gain.
This presents a major challenge to African revolutionaries. In every society, the bourgeoisie—particularly the intellectual and middle classes—traditionally directs societal development. If they grasp their mission or if a people’s government successfully instills in them the importance of state-building, they can contribute meaningfully. However, the same middle class also represents an obstacle when driven purely by self-interest.
In Africa, where most governments fail to represent the people, this dynamic takes a dangerous turn. The bourgeoisie is primarily concerned with its own interests. Revolutionaries, much like Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, and Che Guevara, must identify those among the middle class who remain committed to nation-building, whether they are within the neocolonial state or in the diaspora.
However, should revolutionaries succeed, the complicit and complacent bourgeoisie must be dismantled. As parasites, they pose a threat and could even attempt to overthrow the new government. In such cases, a new, patriotic middle class must be nurtured, with the state assuming direct control over key functions during the transition, painful though this may be. Even after a national bourgeoisie is developed, the state—like in China—must remain vigilant to prevent power from being usurped by this group.
For Africa, the new form of governance must be fundamentally removed from the interests of the bourgeoisie, as seen in China.
Nigeria: A Case Study in Neocolonialism
Nigeria offers a clear example of neocolonial dynamics at work. Aliko Dangote’s construction of the Dangote Oil Refinery (DOR) was intended to rescue Nigeria from dependence on substandard, contaminated fuels imported from Europe, and to correct its imbalanced trade. However, Nigeria’s bourgeoisie—deeply entrenched in state institutions—are actively working against Dangote’s efforts. These are the same forces that, for decades, facilitated the collapse of Nigeria’s four state refineries (with a combined capacity of 450,000 bpd), rendering them non-functional.
This parasitic bourgeoisie has succeeded largely because the Nigerian state has long been captured by imperialist interests. It no longer represents the people, despite holding ceremonial elections. This means Dangote, despite his immense wealth and status as the richest Black person in the world, is in for a difficult fight.
The lesson here is clear: liberating Africa from entrenched international and local forces requires a new revolutionary approach. Consistent revolutionary efforts must target the bourgeoisie willing to liberate Africa and defeat the first two groups.
Given the complexity of this situation, there is no single, predetermined method for success. Victory lies in active engagement, continuous learning, and adaptation in the field. However, one thing is certain: these two forces opposed to Africa’s interests will not be defeated without a fierce struggle that will undoubtedly stir up dust.
Reference;
Kwame Gonza
[email protected]
www.africanacup.org
ACUP (African Continental Unity Party)
