Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism

Neo-Colonialism is Kwame Nkrumah’s attempt to define an evolution in colonialism that he has experienced firsthand. As the prime minister and president of a recently-independent country like Ghana, he has borne witness to how the imperial powers have altered the way they exploit their former colonies. Nkrumah thus seeks to examine and expose the nature of neo-colonialism, presenting it as a new form of colonialism that enables earlier patterns of imperialist exploitation and injustice to continue.

According to Nkrumah, under neo-colonialism a country may appear to be independent and sovereign but it is, in reality, controlled by foreign powers. Unlike traditional colonialism—whereby control was exerted through direct military or political rule—neo-colonialism operates more subtly. The imperial powers achieve their dominance through the monopolies created by western corporations and investments, which extract African resources while funneling the profits back into western nations instead of the African countries themselves. The imperial powers also manipulate aid by making it conditional upon African countries conforming to western interests, and by supporting local elites who serve foreign interests. Nkrumah argues that neo-colonialism is therefore a major obstacle to true African independence and development, as it robs Africa of its natural resources and wealth while providing very little profit or sovereignty for African peoples.