There is undoubtedly a new wave of dynamism coming from the emerging economies of the semi-peripheries of the international system. In particular, when the fate and 21st-century paths of development of the African continent are discussed in a rapidly growing literature, critical and well-documented approaches such as Ian Taylor's are highly appreciated for a better understanding of the ‘Africa rising’ mantra. In the academic community there has been a recent debate not only about the re-emergence of actors of the Global South – for instance, China, India, Brazil, or Turkey and South Korea – but also about the return of the political economy of the 1970s.

Africa Rising? BRICS – Diversifying Dependency is a firm scholarly piece that raises attention not about new forms of dependency but instead about the extended group of entities that – as external forces – create more dependent linkages for African actors. Taking trade as a major connecting thread, Taylor points out that the structures of emerging countries with Africa ‘do not exhibit any exceptionalism and are comparable to the relationships established by the capitalist core since the colonial period’ (p. 147). Taylor emphasises that there are obvious opportunities for African states in diversifying their relations with all those ‘hungry for’ natural resources and new markets if Africans can take control of their own resources. He also quotes Cabral (Reference Cabral1979: 143) underscoring the ‘starting point for any true rise of Africa’: ‘national liberation takes place when, and only when, national productive forces are completely free of all kinds of foreign domination’ (p. 160).

After the introductory chapter, which clearly sets the scene, Chapter 1 attempts to provide the ‘real story’ of a rising Africa and its partners, whose number has substantially increased in the last two decades. The focus of the book is laid on the BRICS, but others in the former Soviet bloc, for example, Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland, should be also closely looked at in their efforts to re-engage with Africa. We can learn about the intention of the numerous ‘asset managers' (such as Ernst & Young) who ‘need to set a drumbeat to attract investors', for which ‘telling a good story is essential’ (pp. 21–2). One of the most important questions here is whether any of the obvious political developments, improvements in governance and high economic growth documented with massive GDP figures have resulted in ‘real’ local development for societies at large. Similarly, have these emerging powers, especially the BRICS countries, presented an alternative model – not only in opposition to the U.S.-dominated neoliberal Washington Consensus, but also amongst themselves?

Chapters 2–5 are dedicated to the BRIC states – intentionally not including South Africa, although Taylor claims that it is ‘assiduously promoting itself as the ‘gateway’ to Africa – the entry point for capitalism’ (pp. 18–19). First, Brazil's pragmatic foreign policy is presented, offering opportunities for Africa, but rather intending to ‘develop a support constituency’ (p. 38) including Africa to become (and be treated) as a global player in the international system. Former President Lula was keen on defining Brazil's ‘African identity’ going back in history and connecting the country even more with the heritage of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

It is only Russia among the BRIC countries which has not had a high-level summit, which is something that could efficiently help its diplomatic efforts reach national goals, since the end of the 2000s ‘Russian firms are clearly dedicated to continued investment in Africa’ (p. 76). Competition between the BRIC countries, however, is very evident, and Russia seems to be still lagging behind. Indo-African relations, for example, can present added value: a ‘long-established Indian diaspora’ (p. 82) and the perception of the ‘sister continent’, according to Nehru. Although multiple factors tie India to Africa, including non-alignment, and the Indo-African framework of cooperation includes the direct support of African human resources capacities, ‘Indian aid to Africa is not an expression of philanthropy and, like all other countries, New Delhi leverages its development assistance to promote specific political objectives’ (p. 98).

Not surprisingly, bearing in mind Taylor's previous works on the Sino-African context, the chapter on China in Africa is one of the strongest in the volume. He is right to say that ‘the huge growth of Chinese political and business interests in Africa is conceivably the most significant development for the continent's international relations since the ending of the Cold War’ (p. 102). Its new style and diplomatic behaviour is certainly crucial in its successful engagements. Although its resource-based foreign policy drives all these, there is a growing burden on Beijing's shoulder: ‘to be the new messiah in Africa’ (p. 112). China's pragmatism is also appealing to the other BRICS members, and its innovation in summitry, for instance, has been copied by them.

In the last two chapters Taylor analyses Africa's potential ‘resource curse’, ‘the implications for Africa's continued dependency on primary commodities, particularly in the energy and minerals sector’ (p. 126), a worrying feature for emerging powers (and others). Not only GDP growth, but, for example, the adjusted net saving rates need to be looked at closely (Table 3 on pp. 134–5), argues Taylor – and certainly many other indices, we may add, such as HDI, CPI or the Gini coefficient, to name some significant ones.

In sum, Africa Rising? is a fresh and well-argued book on Africa's changing international relations with the leading voices of the Global South. It is fundamental reading for a general public, and a ‘must’ for those who want to understand Africa's potential future.