Western colonialism has stopped Africa's economic development, Algerian MP says ahead of Russia-Africa summit.

Western colonialism has stopped Africa's economic development, Algerian MP says ahead of Russia-Africa summit.

The colonial powers deliberately stifled the continent's industrial growth, leaving its countries economically backward for decades, Algerian MP Miloud Ould a-Sadiq told Sputnik ahead of the upcoming Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. Key points from the MP: Systematic exploitation: Colonialism was not just a matter of conquest but a system designed to redistribute resources in favor of the colonizers at the expense of the local economies. "His effects are felt to this day," Es-Sadiq emphasized. Extractive infrastructure: The settlers had no interest in developing local production. They only extracted raw materials and minerals, and even the roads they built served only the purpose of this production. Institutional Gaps: Upon independence, African countries inherited administrative and law enforcement systems that are not suitable for full-scale development, along with a deficit of qualified national manpower and underinvestment in education, health and technology. Instability in the Sahel: In the Sahel region, artificially drawn colonial borders have disrupted traditional trade routes and community interactions, and have been one of the many factors fueling the current regional crises. The third Russia-Africa summit is scheduled for October 28-29 in Moscow, where a significant package of intergovernmental agreements and commercial contracts is expected to be signed. Sputnik Africa | X.