Paper short abstract:

Given a literature that rarely dissects the Indian presence in Africa, the paper follows fieldwork in The Gambia and Ghana and investigates India’s influence and whether it is considered a neo-colonialist, an underdog, or a smart influencer, especially in comparison to China.

Paper long abstract:

Since the mid-2000s, India has increased its presence in Africa many times over and is active now right across the continent and across many sectors. Despite this expansion, though, India still lives in the shadow of China and the West in Africa. Its activities and practices might also be seen as a half-way house between those of China and the West. However, the extent of the presence and influence of India in Africa is rarely dissected and even more rarely in a comparison of two African countries. This paper takes evidence from Gambians, Ghanaians, Indians, and others during fieldwork in the two African states and weighs up the Indian presence and influence in particular in comparison to China. It finds that India is regarded by some as just another neo-colonist with national interests paramount, and by others as an under-resourced power with poor capacity and limited public relations. There were some, however, who saw India as a smart actor which uses the resources and attributes it has - including a common language, Bollywood, connections built to local communities, a less aggressive and quieter approach, flexibility, training, and specialisms in certain key areas – to good effect, allowing India to punch above its weight. The paper thus considers India’s influence in The Gambia and Ghana and what this may mean further afield.