Afro-resilience: Africa's strategic realignment in a multipolar world
African states must embrace a strategy centred on resilience and self-reliance.
The global power structure is shifting away from the long-standing unipolar dominance of the West, ushering in a multipolar world where emerging economies are playing an increasingly significant role. Historical and economic shifts have shaped Africa's position in the world. Historically marginalised in global affairs because of colonialism, economic exploitation, and global power dynamics, Africa now faces the challenge of navigating this rapidly changing environment.
The current moment presents an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to take control of its economic future. The geopolitical competition between and among global powers provides a silver lining for African governments because they can leverage this competition to get more resources from the competitors, such as investment flows, development assistance, infrastructure funding, and better trade agreements to boost their socioeconomic growth.
Despite lacking major weapon manufacturing facilities, Africa remains the world's largest recipient of arms and ammunition given that most of the ongoing armed conflicts
globally are on the continent. Paradoxically, while the continent is home to the highest number of peacekeepers, it also faces the greatest number of conflicts globally. Moreover, despite possessing the world's largest youth population, vast land resources, abundant sunshine, significant water bodies, and agriculture as a central pillar of its economies, Africa remains the world's poorest region and continues to suffer from severe food insecurity. These stark contradictions highlight the urgent need for Africa to address the systemic problems of armed conflict, climate change and underdevelopment, underscoring the considerable work required for the continent's economic and social emancipation.
The emerging world order
Africa's development trajectory has been shaped by historical forces such as the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and the Cold War, as well as contemporary issues like economic nationalism and trade restrictions. As the world transitions into a multipolar order, Africa faces a unique set of problems. These issues not only stem from the legacy of past exploitation but also arise from the complexities of navigating a rapidly changing global landscape. In this new era, Africa's ability to harness opportunities and mitigate risks will be crucial for its growth and development. The transition to a multipolar world order presents several challenges for Africa, including:
Geopolitical instability
: The shift to a multipolar world order brings with it a more complex and often unstable geopolitical environment. Africa, already grappling with issues such as political instability, conflict and fragile state institutions, may face increased competition for influence and resources from global powers. This could further complicate efforts to establish lasting peace and security on the continent.
Economic dependence and inequality
: Africa has long been subjected to economic exploitation through colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, which has left many countries reliant on primary commodity exports and foreign aid. In a multipolar world, Africa may continue to struggle with the challenges of diversifying its economies, building sustainable industries, and addressing the deep-seated inequality between countries and within countries.
Foreign intervention and influence
: As global powers compete for influence in Africa, there is a risk that external intervention could increase, potentially destabilising the region. Whether through military presence, economic influence, or soft power tactics, African countries may find it difficult to navigate between competing foreign interests without sacrificing their sovereignty or development goals. To avoid becoming a pawn in this strategic competition, Africa must assert its own agency, ensuring that its interests take precedence in international relations.
Trade barriers and economic nationalism
: Trade restrictions and economic nationalism are likely to become more prevalent as states prioritise their domestic industries and strategic interests. This could harm Africa's trade relationships, limit access to foreign markets, and disrupt the continent's efforts to integrate into the global economy. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds promise, but it may face significant challenges in realising its full potential amidst rising protectionism.
Technology and digital divide
: Technology and digital innovation are key to economic and social advancement. However, Africa faces significant barriers to technology adoption, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to education, and a lack of investment in research and development. Without deliberate investment in indigenous innovation and policy frameworks, As as global powers invest heavily in technological advancements, Africa risks being left behind in the digital age, exacerbating inequality within and between states. Our digital vulnerabilities — ranging from weak cyber infrastructure to overreliance on foreign tech — undermine national sovereignty and decision-making autonomy. The continent must avoid becoming a passive testing ground for foreign precision systems or cyber warfare experiments.
Climate change and environmental degradation
: Africa is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as desertification, extreme weather events and rising sea levels. The transition to a multipolar world could exacerbate this issue, as global powers focus more on short-term geopolitical interests than on long-term environmental sustainability. Additionally, African countries may face difficulties in accessing the financial and technological resources needed to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
Social unrest and migration
: Economic instability, political dysfunction and external intervention could fuel social unrest, leading to increased migration both in Africa and to other regions. This could result in a 'brain drain' of skilled workers, as well as increased pressure on already strained public services in host countries. Moreover, migration could contribute to tension between African countries and destination regions, such as Europe, further complicating Africa's relationship with the global community.
Security and terrorism
: As the global power balance shifts, Africa may find itself in the crosshairs of global security concerns, particularly in regions already plagued by terrorist organisations and insurgent armed groups. The rise of non-state actors, as well as regional conflicts, presents significant challenges for African governments, which may struggle to maintain internal security and sovereignty in the face of external pressures. The presence of global powers in Africa could exacerbate tensions arising from strategic competition over influence and access and can also fuel violent extremism from resistant groups.
Embracing Afro-resilience
Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's visionary leader, urged Africa to 'face neither East nor West, but face forward.'
In doing so, the president called for African states to assert their collective power and sovereignty, charting their own course toward progress and unity. To realise this vision, African governments must maintain full autonomy over the continent's peace, security, economic, and development agendas — this is the essence of Afro-resilience. Simply put, Afro-resilience refers to the capacity of African countries and their peoples to adapt, recover, and flourish in the face of both internal and external challenges, drawing strength from their rich history and unyielding resolve.
Afro-resilience is Africa's capacity to adapt, recover, and thrive amidst internal and external challenges. It involves strengthening economic, social, political, and environmental systems to foster sustainable development. This concept calls for a departure from dependency on external powers and a move towards self-sustaining growth.
Strategic recommendations
To navigate the emerging multipolar world and ensure sustainable economic growth, Africa must adopt a bold, multifaceted strategy focused on the following pillars:
Industrialisation and value addition
Africa must transition from being a raw material exporter to a continent that adds value to its resources. This requires investment in infrastructure, technology and human capital. But industrialisation is hindered by inadequate energy supply. To address this, regional cooperation mechanisms like the Southern African Power Pool can be leveraged to share energy resources. More so Morocco's renewable energy initiatives, such as the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, serve as exemplary models for sustainable energy solutions.
Optimising intra-African trade and regional integration
The AfCFTA offers a platform for economic integration. Full ratification and implementation of the AfCFTA agreement are crucial. Additionally, reducing tariffs, conducting market surveys to identify value chain opportunities, and ensuring access to markets for small and medium entrepreneurs will enhance trade within the continent.
Transformative leadership and accountable governance
Effective governance is essential for Africa's development. For this reason leaders must prioritise transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Transformative leadership that is ethical and visionary will foster investor confidence and promote sustainable development.
Harnessing strategic alliances
Given the shifting geopolitical landscape that is unpredictable and unprecedented, Africa should strengthen relationships with emerging economies in the Global South. South-South cooperation can provide alternative sources of capital, technology and trade partnerships that align with Africa's development goals.
Financial sovereignty
Reducing reliance on external debt and increasing domestic resource mobilisation will empower African states to make independent economic decisions. Institutions like the African Development Bank and Afreximbank play pivotal roles in supporting trade finance and industrialisation efforts.
Sustainable development and green growth
Emphasising sustainability in development plans will position Africa as a leader in the green economy. Investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure can unlock new growth avenues while addressing climate change challenges.
7. Leveraging indigenous knowledge
Indigenous knowledge, rooted in generations of communal wisdom, offers practical solutions for sustainable development, education and environmental stewardship. Yet traditional patent laws fail to protect their collective nature. To harness this resource, African states must document and preserve traditional practices, integrate them into development strategies and empower people. Strengthening national legal frameworks, endorsing community protocols and supporting international agreements such as the Nagoya Protocol are key to ensuring fair protection and benefit-sharing. Valuing indigenous knowledge is not only about justice, it is a pathway to resilience and self-reliance.
Africa's future in a multipolar world depends on its ability to realign its strategies and embrace opportunities for transformation. The transition to a multipolar world order presents Africa with both challenges and opportunities. The decline of traditional Western aid has prompted African countries to pivot towards self-sufficiency. In 2024, remittances alone contributed $100 billion to Africa's economy, surpassing US aid by more than eight times. This shift underscores the continent's growing economic agency and the importance of leveraging domestic resources and partnerships within the Global South.
Ultimately, Afro-resilience is about empowering Africa to shape its destiny, assert its agency on the world stage and overcome the challenges of the modern era while honouring its diverse heritage and potential. By focusing on industrialisation, regional integration, transformative leadership, strategic alliances, financial sovereignty and sustainable development, Africa can realign itself to thrive in this new global landscape. A unified, forward-looking Africa — one that learns from its historical experiences and adapts to changing global dynamics — can thrive in this new world order. Although the African Union has set its vision to be achieved by the year 2063, the time for action is now.
Dan Kuwali is a senior research fellow at the Africa Institute of South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council, and extraordinary professor of international law at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
2 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Africa isn't ready for electric vehicles – and that's okay
Africa's transport future will be electric - but not just yet. The global vehicle industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a futuristic novelty. In 2023, EVs accounted for 18% of all new car sales globally, with countries such as China, Norway and the Netherlands leading the way. Across tech expos, policy discussions and climate summits, the message is clear: the world is moving beyond internal combustion engines. But for Africa, the picture is very different. Although there is enthusiasm among some policymakers and entrepreneurs, the reality on the ground reveals structural issues that make a large-scale transition to EVs both impractical and premature. Despite global pressure to 'catch up' or 'leapfrog'' Africa is not ready for electric vehicles. One of the most immediate barriers to EV adoption in Africa is cost. The average price of a new electric vehicle globally sits at about $53,000. Meanwhile, GDP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa was just $1,574 in 2022, according to the World Bank. For most Africans, even a used petrol car is out of financial reach, let alone a new EV. This is reflected in consumer behaviour: more than 90% of vehicles imported into Africa are second-hand, typically older, fuel-powered models from the United States, Japan or Europe, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The dominance of this informal used-car market undercuts any near-term demand for shiny, expensive EVs. Moreover, many governments are grappling with limited public budgets, stretched across pressing development issues such as healthcare, education, food security and infrastructure. EV subsidies or incentives, which helped drive uptake in the West, are not financially viable for most African states. Perhaps the most fundamental reason Africa isn't ready for EVs is unreliable electricity. More than 600 million people on the continent still don't have power, and those who do often experience frequent blackouts. In South Africa, for example, 2023 marked the country's worst-ever year of load-shedding, with more than 300 days of rolling power outages. In Nigeria, diesel generators remain a lifeline for homes and businesses. EVs are only as good as the electricity that powers them. If a car can't be charged at home or on the road reliably, it's unusable. Pushing EVs in this context risks deepening energy inequality, serving only a small elite with access to solar panels or private power backups. Beyond electricity, EVs require a robust ecosystem — charging stations, repair and maintenance facilities, technicians trained in high-voltage systems, and a steady supply of spare parts and batteries. These elements are in short supply in most African countries. Take Kenya, often considered a leader in Africa's EV push. As of 2023, the country had fewer than 200 public charging stations, concentrated mainly in Nairobi. Compare that with Norway, which boasts more than 20,000 chargers. Even in South Africa, the most industrialised African nation, the public charging network is still minimal and largely inaccessible outside major urban areas. Complicating matters further is poor road infrastructure. Many African roads are unpaved, riddled with potholes, or vulnerable to flooding. EV batteries are sensitive and expensive to replace, and the wear and tear of poor roads can drastically reduce their lifespan. There have been whispers about countries such as Burkina Faso experimenting with EVs. Pilot projects involving electric motorcycles and compact EVs have been launched in partnership with development agencies and startups in Africa. But these remain small-scale initiatives targeting urban areas like Ouagadougou. While admirable, they are far from scalable. These projects face the same systemic barriers as elsewhere: unreliable electricity, high costs and lack of infrastructure. They serve more as symbols of innovation than signs of readiness. The differences between Africa and EV leaders such as China, the European Union and the US are stark. China invested heavily in battery production and EV infrastructure early on. In 2023 alone, it sold more than eight million EVs, driven by domestic manufacturing and government support. The EU introduced strict emissions laws and huge subsidies to reduce the cost of EVs and build charging networks. The US has committed $7.5 billion to building a national EV charging grid, on top of generous tax incentives for EV buyers. Africa has neither the fiscal space nor the energy capacity to replicate these models. To assume a similar trajectory would be both unrealistic and unfair. There are additional problems often ignored in the EV conversation. Batteries perform poorly in extreme heat, which is common across many African countries. Overheating can reduce range and shorten battery life, raising concerns about long-term viability. Ironically, Africa is central to the global EV supply chain, producing more than 70% of the world's cobalt, largely from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet, most of this is exported with little local processing, reinforcing Africa's position as a raw-material exporter rather than a beneficiary of value-added industries. The environmental cost of EV batteries, particularly their disposal and recycling, is also a ticking time bomb. Without strict regulations and facilities, Africa risks inheriting a new wave of e-waste. So, when will Africa be ready? The path to EV readiness will require more than imported Teslas or flashy pilot projects. A realistic timeline involves: Universal access to reliable electricity, especially clean energy sources. A thriving used-EV market, making prices more accessible. Local manufacturing and battery assembly, tied to mineral beneficiation. Comprehensive infrastructure: charging networks, technician training, and recycling systems. Regulatory support, including tax incentives, import reforms, and consumer protections. In other words, Africa will be ready for EVs when the foundational development gaps have been bridged. Until then, pushing mass adoption is like installing a solar panel on a collapsing roof. Africa's transport future will undoubtedly be electric. But it must be on African terms, rooted in local realities, and not forced by global pressure. By first focusing on reliable power, affordable mobility and industrial development, African nations can pave the way for an inclusive, sustainable EV future. Karabo Mokgonyana is a renewable energy campaigner at Power Shift Africa.
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
'You are rude': McKenzie slams DA MP Jacobs' conduct in parliamentary meetings
'Jacobs knows that I haven't breached any act or law, hence he's talking about ethics. My ethics and his are different. We are not dealing with what he feels and what I feel. The act allows me to appoint Eugene Botha,' McKenzie said. 'I've breached no act. The PA is not the first party and certainly will not be the last party to do that. Your party in the Western Cape is riddled. When you say I've done something wrong, quote the act, not your feelings.' McKenzie also addressed Jacobs' conduct during the meeting, referencing a previous committee meeting where Jacobs grilled Safa president Danny Jordaan over his leadership and travel expenses. 'What I will never allow is for this honourable member to speak when I'm speaking. On a personal level, I want him to know that when he showed Danny Jordaan his finger, I will never allow him to do that to me. I respect you; respect me. When you speak, I am obliged to listen, and when I speak, you should listen. You should not come in as you feel. You can only interject with a point of order through the chairperson. 'You are rude. I will never stand for this rudeness of Jacobs.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
National Foundations notes commencement of national dialogue
A national dialogue preparatory committee set up by the National Foundations has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Tuesday of the national dialogue process, a historic chance for South Africans to reclaim their agency. The National Foundations consists of 43 civil society groups and 12 foundations including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Steve Biko Foundation and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. 'It is rare in the history of any nation for citizens rather than just their representatives to be given an opportunity to embark on a historical reflection about the state and condition of their nation, and their prospects for the future,' the National Foundations said on Wednesday. The foundations said on April 30 2024, former president Thabo Mbeki, reflecting on 30 years of democracy, made a passionate call for the nation to engage in a dialogue to work a new vision and programme for the next 30 years and beyond. Mbeki then tasked the National Foundations to prepare for the national dialogue. 'Thus the National Foundations became the custodians of the national dialogue from that day.' The foundations set up a committee to commence with preparations for this initiative, expanding the pool of civil society support for the national dialogue. 'In September 2024, the foundations convened a two-day workshop, attended by close to 50 civil society formations ... to set up structures, ranging from content development, planning and organisation, public mobilisation, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and marketing and communications subcommittees to anchor preparations for the national dialogue in granular detail.' The foundations said around the same time, its preparatory committee began engagements with the emissaries of Ramaphosa, who is empowered by the constitution, to call for an initiative of this magnitude and consequence. 'At those meetings the foundations stressed the importance of the national dialogue to be a citizens-led initiative, rather than a government-run enterprise, to help overcome the chasm that has opened up between government and the governed in our country, as illustrated by the fact that only about 40% of eligible voters in our country bothered to vote in the last national and provincial elections in May 2024.' The foundations said the voter stayaway was a pointer to a massive alienation of the electorate from the democratic project, which ought to be a concern. 'For if the electorate is alienated from the democratic project, what are the implications for the legitimacy for the democratic order. It was thus important that we embarked on an initiative which will result in the citizens reclaiming their agency. 'We are happy that we reached a mutual understanding with the head of state on the essence and approach to the national dialogue.' The National Foundations said it had greed on all the structures that will underpin the execution of the national dialogue. 'We will, in the coming days, elaborate on the process that will unfold towards the preparatory convention for the national dialogue process scheduled to be held on August 15.' TimesLIVE
