[TYPE THE COMPANY NAME]
APC2601
Assignment 1
(QUALITY
ANSWERS)
Semester 1
2025
[Pick the date]
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of
the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of
the contents of the document.]
, Exam (elaborations)
APC2601 Assignment 1 (QUALITY ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
Course
Political Change in Contemporary Africa (APC2601)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
An Introduction to African Politics
This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the APC2601
Assignment 1 (QUALITY ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025.
. Coloniality had a severe impact on Africa’s economic and political
development. Write an essay in which you discuss how and why the 1884-5
Berlin consensus and scramble and conquest of Africa resulted in the
dismemberment and fragmentation of Africa. In your essay select an African
state and explain its consequential political-economic development
trajectory caused by coloniality.
or Write an essay in which you discuss economic bilateral relations between
two African states. In your essay discuss the economic relations between any
two African states, identify the economic, social and political benefits for
each state involved in the bilateral relation(s) and critique the importance of
economic bilateral relations between states.
or Coloniality has affected how markets operate. Write an essay in which
you discuss how the current “coloniality of markets and new scramble for
Africa” deeply manifests and is embedded in how multinational corporations
drive the economy of African states. In your essay select a multinational
corporation as an example operating in an African state and critique it’s
relevance within the selected state.
,ESSAY 1
Coloniality and the Dismemberment of Africa: The Case of
Nigeria
Introduction
The 1884–85 Berlin Conference marked a pivotal moment in Africa’s history, leading to the
artificial partitioning of the continent by European powers. This "Scramble for Africa" resulted
in the conquest, division, and exploitation of African territories, with little regard for pre-existing
ethnic, cultural, or political structures. The consequences of this colonial dismemberment were
profound, leading to fragmentation, economic dependency, and political instability that persist to
this day. Nigeria, a British colony formed through the forced amalgamation of diverse ethnic
groups, serves as a clear example of how coloniality disrupted Africa’s political-economic
development.
The Berlin Conference and the Dismemberment of Africa
The Berlin Conference, organized by European powers without African representation, sought to
regulate colonial expansion and trade in Africa. The arbitrary borders drawn by European powers
disregarded ethnic and cultural identities, creating states that were neither cohesive nor stable.
This fragmentation resulted in the forced amalgamation of rival groups within single colonial
administrations, laying the foundation for future conflicts and economic exploitation.
The conquest of African territories by European powers further deepened colonial fragmentation.
The British, French, Germans, Belgians, and other colonial rulers imposed economic systems
that prioritized resource extraction for European industries, rather than developing local
economies. This led to the creation of weak, dependent economies that struggled to function
independently after decolonization.
, Case Study: Nigeria’s Colonial and Post-Colonial Development
Nigeria exemplifies the detrimental effects of colonial dismemberment. Before colonization, the
region now known as Nigeria was home to diverse ethnic and political entities, including the
Hausa-Fulani emirates in the north, the Yoruba kingdoms in the west, and the Igbo decentralized
societies in the east. These groups had distinct governance systems, economies, and cultures.
In 1914, the British amalgamated these regions into one colony for administrative convenience,
disregarding ethnic, religious, and cultural differences. This artificial union created long-term
political instability. The colonial government reinforced ethnic divisions by implementing
indirect rule in the north and direct rule in the south, further entrenching regional disparities.
Economically, Nigeria was integrated into the global capitalist system as a provider of raw
materials. The British developed infrastructure such as railways and ports solely to facilitate the
export of agricultural products (such as palm oil, cocoa, and groundnuts) and minerals (such as
coal and tin). Little effort was made to develop local industries, leaving Nigeria economically
dependent on commodity exports. This dependency persisted after independence, making the
country vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets.
Post-Colonial Political and Economic Challenges
Nigeria’s post-independence trajectory has been heavily shaped by its colonial past. The artificial
unity imposed by British colonial rule resulted in ethnic tensions and political instability. Shortly
after independence in 1960, Nigeria experienced a series of political crises, including a civil war
(1967–1970) fueled by ethnic and regional grievances. Military coups and authoritarian regimes
became frequent, as leaders struggled to manage the divisions imposed by colonial rule.
Economically, Nigeria remained dependent on resource extraction, particularly oil, which
became the backbone of its economy after its discovery in the 1950s. However, the oil wealth
was mismanaged due to corruption, a legacy of colonial governance structures that prioritized
elite interests over national development. The neglect of agriculture and industry further
entrenched economic inequality and underdevelopment.
Conclusion
The Berlin Conference and subsequent Scramble for Africa resulted in the dismemberment and
fragmentation of African states, leading to long-term political and economic instability. Nigeria’s
experience highlights how colonial artificial borders, economic exploitation, and governance
structures disrupted African development. Even after independence, the legacies of colonial rule
have continued to shape Nigeria’s challenges, demonstrating the enduring impact of coloniality
on Africa’s trajectory. Addressing these issues requires not only historical reckoning but also
structural economic and political reforms to overcome the deep-rooted legacies of colonial
fragmentation.
APC2601
Assignment 1
(QUALITY
ANSWERS)
Semester 1
2025
[Pick the date]
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of
the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of
the contents of the document.]
, Exam (elaborations)
APC2601 Assignment 1 (QUALITY ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
Course
Political Change in Contemporary Africa (APC2601)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
An Introduction to African Politics
This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the APC2601
Assignment 1 (QUALITY ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025.
. Coloniality had a severe impact on Africa’s economic and political
development. Write an essay in which you discuss how and why the 1884-5
Berlin consensus and scramble and conquest of Africa resulted in the
dismemberment and fragmentation of Africa. In your essay select an African
state and explain its consequential political-economic development
trajectory caused by coloniality.
or Write an essay in which you discuss economic bilateral relations between
two African states. In your essay discuss the economic relations between any
two African states, identify the economic, social and political benefits for
each state involved in the bilateral relation(s) and critique the importance of
economic bilateral relations between states.
or Coloniality has affected how markets operate. Write an essay in which
you discuss how the current “coloniality of markets and new scramble for
Africa” deeply manifests and is embedded in how multinational corporations
drive the economy of African states. In your essay select a multinational
corporation as an example operating in an African state and critique it’s
relevance within the selected state.
,ESSAY 1
Coloniality and the Dismemberment of Africa: The Case of
Nigeria
Introduction
The 1884–85 Berlin Conference marked a pivotal moment in Africa’s history, leading to the
artificial partitioning of the continent by European powers. This "Scramble for Africa" resulted
in the conquest, division, and exploitation of African territories, with little regard for pre-existing
ethnic, cultural, or political structures. The consequences of this colonial dismemberment were
profound, leading to fragmentation, economic dependency, and political instability that persist to
this day. Nigeria, a British colony formed through the forced amalgamation of diverse ethnic
groups, serves as a clear example of how coloniality disrupted Africa’s political-economic
development.
The Berlin Conference and the Dismemberment of Africa
The Berlin Conference, organized by European powers without African representation, sought to
regulate colonial expansion and trade in Africa. The arbitrary borders drawn by European powers
disregarded ethnic and cultural identities, creating states that were neither cohesive nor stable.
This fragmentation resulted in the forced amalgamation of rival groups within single colonial
administrations, laying the foundation for future conflicts and economic exploitation.
The conquest of African territories by European powers further deepened colonial fragmentation.
The British, French, Germans, Belgians, and other colonial rulers imposed economic systems
that prioritized resource extraction for European industries, rather than developing local
economies. This led to the creation of weak, dependent economies that struggled to function
independently after decolonization.
, Case Study: Nigeria’s Colonial and Post-Colonial Development
Nigeria exemplifies the detrimental effects of colonial dismemberment. Before colonization, the
region now known as Nigeria was home to diverse ethnic and political entities, including the
Hausa-Fulani emirates in the north, the Yoruba kingdoms in the west, and the Igbo decentralized
societies in the east. These groups had distinct governance systems, economies, and cultures.
In 1914, the British amalgamated these regions into one colony for administrative convenience,
disregarding ethnic, religious, and cultural differences. This artificial union created long-term
political instability. The colonial government reinforced ethnic divisions by implementing
indirect rule in the north and direct rule in the south, further entrenching regional disparities.
Economically, Nigeria was integrated into the global capitalist system as a provider of raw
materials. The British developed infrastructure such as railways and ports solely to facilitate the
export of agricultural products (such as palm oil, cocoa, and groundnuts) and minerals (such as
coal and tin). Little effort was made to develop local industries, leaving Nigeria economically
dependent on commodity exports. This dependency persisted after independence, making the
country vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets.
Post-Colonial Political and Economic Challenges
Nigeria’s post-independence trajectory has been heavily shaped by its colonial past. The artificial
unity imposed by British colonial rule resulted in ethnic tensions and political instability. Shortly
after independence in 1960, Nigeria experienced a series of political crises, including a civil war
(1967–1970) fueled by ethnic and regional grievances. Military coups and authoritarian regimes
became frequent, as leaders struggled to manage the divisions imposed by colonial rule.
Economically, Nigeria remained dependent on resource extraction, particularly oil, which
became the backbone of its economy after its discovery in the 1950s. However, the oil wealth
was mismanaged due to corruption, a legacy of colonial governance structures that prioritized
elite interests over national development. The neglect of agriculture and industry further
entrenched economic inequality and underdevelopment.
Conclusion
The Berlin Conference and subsequent Scramble for Africa resulted in the dismemberment and
fragmentation of African states, leading to long-term political and economic instability. Nigeria’s
experience highlights how colonial artificial borders, economic exploitation, and governance
structures disrupted African development. Even after independence, the legacies of colonial rule
have continued to shape Nigeria’s challenges, demonstrating the enduring impact of coloniality
on Africa’s trajectory. Addressing these issues requires not only historical reckoning but also
structural economic and political reforms to overcome the deep-rooted legacies of colonial
fragmentation.
