Why Trade with Africa Is a Serious Public Policy and Economic Strategy for Michigan’s Urban Communities and Beyond
By Akindele Akinyemi, Principal of the GABA Marketplace Center
As conversations about economic revitalization and community development intensify across the United States, particularly in urban centers like Detroit, Inkster, and Flint, we must rethink our strategies for creating sustainable growth. One solution that often goes unnoticed is the potential of trade with Africa.
For Michigan’s urban communities, trade with Africa is not just a distant possibility—it is a serious public policy and economic strategy that can address pressing issues like unemployment, underinvestment, and wealth disparities. At the same time, it serves as a geopolitical strategy that strengthens America’s position globally while uplifting historically marginalized communities domestically. Here’s how:
Unlocking Economic Potential for Urban Communities
Michigan, known as the heart of America’s automotive industry, has faced significant economic challenges in recent decades. Many urban communities have seen jobs disappear, populations decline, and local businesses struggle to survive. Trade with Africa can provide an avenue for reversing these trends by creating a pipeline of economic opportunities that directly benefit these communities.
For example, Michigan’s businesses can tap into Africa’s booming markets for both imports and exports. Products like agro-commodities, textiles, and critical minerals such as lithium can flow into Michigan to support industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture. In return, Michigan can export automotive technology, machinery, and expertise to African nations looking to industrialize and modernize. These mutually beneficial partnerships create jobs, attract investments, and stimulate local economies in urban areas where they are needed most.
Addressing Workforce Development
Trade with Africa is not just about goods—it’s about people. Establishing robust trade relationships requires a skilled workforce to manage logistics, processing, manufacturing, and supply chain operations. This opens the door to workforce development programs in urban communities that have historically faced high unemployment rates.
Imagine training Detroit’s youth to work in advanced logistics centers handling African imports or equipping Inkster’s residents with skills to manufacture components for electric vehicles powered by African-sourced lithium. These initiatives provide not just jobs but long-term career pathways, creating generational wealth and stability.
Strengthening Local Businesses
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Michigan’s urban communities can benefit immensely from trade with Africa. By connecting local entrepreneurs with African markets, we create opportunities for new products, partnerships, and investments. For instance, a Detroit-based company could partner with farmers in Ghana to import organic cocoa for local chocolate production, creating a unique product that supports both communities.
Similarly, African businesses seeking access to the U.S. market could partner with Michigan-based logistics firms, warehouse operators, and marketing agencies, generating revenue and building bridges across the Atlantic.
A Geopolitical Strategy for the Long Game
Beyond the economic impact, trade with Africa positions Michigan’s urban communities as key players in global geopolitics. Africa’s strategic importance on the global stage is growing rapidly, with nations like China and Russia heavily investing in the continent’s infrastructure, technology, and natural resources. If the United States wants to remain competitive, it must strengthen its ties with Africa—and Michigan can lead the way.
By fostering trade and investment with Africa, Michigan’s leaders can not only boost the state’s economy but also contribute to a broader national strategy that supports democratic governance, economic stability, and sustainable development in Africa. This creates goodwill, strengthens alliances, and positions the U.S. as a reliable partner in Africa’s growth story.
Public Policy: A Necessary Catalyst
To fully realize the potential of trade with Africa, we need strong public policies that support these initiatives. This includes trade agreements, tax incentives for businesses engaging in African markets, and funding for workforce development programs that prepare local residents for jobs in global trade and manufacturing.
Additionally, public-private partnerships will be critical. Government agencies, local businesses, and organizations like the Global African Business Association (GABA) must work together to identify opportunities, remove barriers, and create the infrastructure needed to support robust trade with Africa.
Conclusion
Trade with Africa is more than an economic opportunity; it is a transformative strategy that can breathe new life into Michigan’s urban communities while enhancing America’s global influence. By building economic bridges across the Atlantic, we create jobs, develop our workforce, and strengthen local businesses—all while contributing to a more equitable and connected global economy.
Michigan has always been a state of innovation and resilience. Now is the time to embrace a forward-thinking approach that leverages Africa’s potential to create lasting change at home and abroad. Let us seize this opportunity to build a future that benefits us all.
