Chapter 113: Ambition
Although agriculture was the colony's main development focus, other industries—such as handicrafts and basic manufacturing—could also be gradually introduced.
East Africa's growing population couldn't rely entirely on imported essentials like pots and pans—that would be prohibitively expensive.
Handicrafts were easy to understand: blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters—trades that met the everyday needs of East African settlers—could be liberalized immediately.
Basic industry referred to sectors that suited the colony's current conditions and had low entry barriers.
Take cement, for example. Constantly importing it from Europe wasn't sustainable. To cut costs, cement factories should be built locally.
Other industries that could add value to East Africa's agricultural products, such as flour mills, oil presses, and textile mills, could also be introduced.
All of them, however, required steam engines. That meant developing the colony's coal mines—like the one in Mbeya—and a reliable transport network to distribute materials…
In short, it was a complicated process. But there was no rush. Everything could be tackled step by step.
If successful, it would greatly benefit the colony. If not, there was no great loss.
The arms industry, however, was second only to agriculture in importance.
Retired European machinery was already being installed in East Africa's weapons factories, ensuring a partial supply of arms and ammunition.
In the future, with access to regional resources, the colony could begin reproducing artillery munitions as well.
Achieving short-term self-sufficiency in arms and ammo was possible.
For now, cannon ammunition was out of reach.
The Hohenzollern arms factory in Trieste hadn't begun production, so full artillery manufacturing would take time.
Aside from immigration and industrialization, territorial expansion in 1868 remained a top priority. Two directions were being targeted:
— The northwest, long coveted by Ernst for its fertile land
— The Omo River Basin, located on the Kenya–Ethiopia border
Capturing the Omo basin during the Anglo-Abyssinian War was a strategic necessity. Once the British attacked the Abyssinian Empire from the Red Sea, East Africa could act independently in the southwest without interference.
Abyssinia's resources were concentrated in its central and northern regions. The southwestern highlands were populated by tribes and only loosely controlled.
That made the Omo River a prime target—not only for its abundant rainfall, but because it fed Lake Turkana.
If East Africa didn't seize the basin now, it might never get another chance.
Even if Abyssinia retaliated later, Ernst wasn't worried.
The empire's grip on the south was weak. It operated like a feudal vassal system, especially among the Oromo and Luuo peoples.
As long as core territories weren't threatened, Abyssinia wouldn't risk full-scale war.
And if it did? East Africa's modern weapons would make them think twice.
Aside from military expansions, northern Kenya was still awaiting development.
Though sparsely populated, it couldn't be ignored. The plan was to turn it into pastureland.
Crop farming wasn't viable in the arid, desert-grassland mix—except near lakes and rivers, where drought-resistant crops like millet could be grown.
But many of these water sources were saline or seasonal, only suitable for livestock.
While unique crops might be grown there in the future, for now, herding was the most practical approach.
Still, overgrazing had to be avoided. Ranches needed clear boundaries to protect the grasslands.
Meanwhile, intelligence gathering in the west (Zambia and Zimbabwe) could begin.
By 1868, East Africa aimed to fully explore Zambia and Zimbabwe—especially the Zambia–Congo Copperbelt, home to the world's largest sedimentary copper deposits.
The Copperbelt held 15% of global reserves. Quantity aside, the quality was also exceptional.
Any major power would race to claim such a prize if they learned of it—let alone Ernst.
The Copperbelt lay only about 700 kilometers west of Mbeya, on the Katanga Plateau—within reach.
Beyond copper, the region also contained cobalt, tin, radium, uranium, and diamonds…
To avoid conflict with Portugal, East Africa would hold off on Zimbabwe.
Instead, it would begin surveying Zambia and southern Congo first—then move once northern territorial issues were resolved.
...
Ernst scribbled across several sheets of draft paper, filling them with plans and notes.
He later recopied them neatly into his personal memorandum.
It was an ambitious plan—made possible only because Africa's colonial competition was still minimal.
The natives, armed or not, were no match for a modern East African army.
The real threat to East Africa wasn't the tribes—it was the African environment itself.
The Zambian river valley's untouched rainforests would be challenging.
But northern Zambia, primarily savanna, posed little resistance.
The Kingdom of Malawi, located on the lake's southwestern shore, was not a current target.
East Africa needed a buffer zone with Mozambique, and Malawi, with its strong autonomy and limited Portuguese influence, was perfect.
It would keep East Africa and Portuguese forces apart.
Meanwhile, the eastern border was protected by the Ruvuma River and a newly signed agreement with Mozambique.
Only a small stretch of direct border remained, so there was no immediate concern.
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