GLOBALIZATION AND THE HORN OF AFRICA: STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES, GEOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS, AND PATHWAYS TO INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
This study examined the multidimensional impacts of globalization on the Horn of Africa, focusing on countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Sudan. Grounded in dependency theory, world-systems theory, and critical geopolitics, the research analyzed how globalization influenced economic integration, political sovereignty, cultural identity, and environmental sustainability within the region. The findings revealed that while globalization facilitated infrastructural investments, digital connectivity, and foreign partnerships—particularly in sectors such as logistics, agriculture, and energy—it also exacerbated structural inequalities, geopolitical rivalries, and resource-based conflicts. The Horn’s strategic location had turned it into a contested arena of influence among global powers, often undermining regional autonomy and sustainable development. Politically, globalization introduced competing governance models and economic conditionalities that, in some cases, entrenched authoritarianism or contributed to state fragility. Culturally, global flows both enriched and eroded indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and identities. Environmentally, land acquisitions, extractive ventures, and climate-induced displacements intensified livelihood vulnerabilities. The study relied on secondary data sources, including regional policy documents, academic literature, and international institutional reports. It concluded that globalization in the Horn of Africa presented a paradox—opening pathways for modernization while reinforcing systemic dependencies and insecurities. The study recommended enhancing regional integration through IGAD, promoting inclusive governance, implementing fair trade and investment practices, and elevating local voices in global development discourse. It argued that a people-centered, justice-oriented model of globalization was essential for achieving resilient and inclusive development in the Horn of Africa.
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