With near-catatonic economic growth in the world’s more advanced economies and a seemingly unquenchable appetite for natural resources in emerging ones, Africa finds itself at the centre of renewed attentions from the world’s great powers. The range of countries seeking to stake out African “spheres of influence” is much larger than in the 19th century, when the first major rush for Africa’s resources occurred.

Africa Rising, but still ignored. President Obama is on his second visit to Africa, his choice of nations to visit was tricky, he avoided Kenya, the land of his father and chose nations that were safe. A state visit by an American president is seen as a papal blessing to his visitors, Macky Sall of Senegal basked in the glow of Obama, he was hailed as a new leader that represents Africa.