The West Wants Africa’s Resources, Not Its People

A significant part of history holds evidence of how the West’s progress was built on the backs of Africans through transatlantic slavery and, subsequently, exploitation during colonialism. For instance, the American cotton industry, powered by slave labour, was the catalyst for the 19th-century economic growth of the United States. In 1833, when slavery was abolished, Britain paid £20 million (equivalent of £17 billion today) to slave owners as compensation for their loss. Ironically, recent anti-immigration policies in the West seek to close the door against Africans who contributed immensely to their progress, even at their own detriment.

THE GROWING ANTI-IMMIGRATION POLICIES

For years, Canada built a reputation as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world. According to the 2016 Canadian census, Africans made up 13.4 per cent of immigrants in Canada between 2011 and 2016. Nigeria was one of the top five countries of origin for these immigrants. In 2023, Canada accepted 471,800 permanent residents, of whom 17,455 were Nigerians. However, in 2024, the Canadian government announced a 21 per cent cut in permanent residency approvals for 2025 to alleviate pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services. This trend is not isolated, as countries across Europe, as well as the United States, have also mirrored similar policies.