Ultimately, emerging economies absolute size and rate of growth both matter in charting commodity demand and the future trajectory of global commodity prices, with per capita income clearly linked to consumers wealth. If people feel rich and enjoy growing wages and appreciating assets, they are less inclined to cannibalize other spending when commodity consumption becomes more expensive.

Elite networks continue to conspire with foreign interests to cannibalize their economies and retain the perquisites of power fleets of luxury cars, private jets, bank accounts in tax havens, overseas properties, consumer goods, weaponry, etc. Their contempt for local products extends to health and education rather than invest in these vital sectors, Africa s rulers use private overseas healthcare and schools for themselves and their children.