Akinyi

The untapped mineral wealth of DRCongo is equivalent to the GDP of Europe and the USA combined. It is estimated at US$24 trillion, which would make DRCongo the richest nation in the world. In comparison, Saudi Arabia, for example, has oil reserves valued at a "mere" US$18 trillion and Saudi Arabians don't even need to pay taxes.

The latest trend for rich countries is grabbing agricultural land from poor countries on a 99- or 999-year-lease. The Gulf nations, for example, are rich but can't grow grains on their oil-rich sands to feed their citizens. Neither can China and India feed the billions of their population. After the financial crisis in mortgage-based derivatives, agricultural land is the new strategic asset. An asset that nobody can manufacture or erect, and then sell. Once given away, it is gone.

Article about the relationship between Africa and Europe in particular, and the West in General.