By Francis Assam

Africa, over the past few decades, has witnessed a troubling imbalance in its economic diplomacy with Western powers. This disparity has largely been rooted in a legacy of dependency on foreign aid, concessional loans, and donor-driven policies that have, in many cases, stifled economic autonomy and limited the continent’s negotiating power. As a result, African leaders have often found themselves short-handed and unable to assert their interests during high-level economic or diplomatic engagements.

However, this dynamic is gradually changing. While many African countries continue to rely significantly on foreign aid, particularly from Western institutions, there has been a growing aspiration and, in some cases, a deliberate effort toward reducing this dependency. African leaders are beginning to leverage domestic reforms, resource potential, and regional integration frameworks to reposition their countries not as passive recipients but as equal players on the global stage.

This evolution signals a broader ambition to break free from historic patterns of subordination. By actively engaging both Western powers and rising middle powers like China, India, and Turkey, African states are redefining their foreign policy agendas. The emphasis now is on mutual respect, shared prosperity, and partnerships that promote sustainable development, not dependency.

Africa at Its Weakest Stages

The pre-independence and immediate post-independence eras marked some of the weakest stages in Africa’s modern history. Colonialism subjected African nations to intense exploitation of their human and natural resources, often justified under the guise of European “civilizing missions.” This era entrenched systems of economic dependency, where African economies were structured to serve colonial interests, exporting raw materials while importing finished goods, with little investment in local industry or infrastructure.

Following independence in the late 1950s through the 1970s, African countries gained political freedom but not full economic autonomy. Despite having vast natural wealth such as Nigeria’s oil boom in the 1970s, Ghana’s gold, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s minerals, and Angola’s petroleum, many African nations remained heavily reliant on Western technical expertise, financial institutions, and trade partnerships. Corruption, weak institutions, and neo-colonial influence made it difficult for these countries to harness their resources for sustainable development.

This era also saw the emergence of influential pan-African leaders such as Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, and Congo’s Patrice Lumumba. These figures passionately advocated for African unity, self-reliance, and resistance to imperialism. Their vision inspired the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), to foster continental cooperation and regional integration.

However, the idealism of this generation was soon stifled. Many of these leaders were deposed through military coups, often with the tacit support of Western powers seeking to maintain influence. Military regimes that followed were characterized by authoritarianism, large-scale looting, and the mismanagement of public funds. Moreover, external pressure from institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank led to the adoption of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in the 1980s and 1990s. These programs promoted austerity measures, trade liberalization, and privatization, which further weakened public institutions and pushed African economies deeper into debt and dependency.

This period of external domination and internal decay marked a profound setback in Africa’s quest for economic self-determination, laying the groundwork for the continued struggles of the 21st century.

The Turnaround: Asserting Economic Agency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address at the 78th United Nations General Assembly marked a critical moment in Africa’s evolving diplomatic posture. He boldly stated that Africa must realign its relationships with Western powers not merely to correct decades of trade imbalance but to usher in an era of equitable trade relations, where African nations are recognized as partners with agency and not passive beneficiaries. This message reflects a growing confidence among African leaders to challenge entrenched global hierarchies and demand fairness in economic and political engagements.

Recent years have seen a wave of assertiveness from African states, particularly those in the Sahel region. Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, alongside military-led governments in Mali and Niger, has emerged as part of a new bloc that is recalibrating foreign relations. These nations have expelled French troops, called out neocolonial practices, and shifted focus toward regional cooperation and partnerships with non-traditional actors like Russia and Turkey. While controversial, these moves signify a bold rejection of old dependencies and a bid to define sovereignty on African terms.

Elsewhere, Africa’s unified stance at global climate forums, such as COP27 in Egypt, has seen leaders demand climate financing and reparative justice from historically high-emission countries. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), another landmark development, represents a strategic step toward intra-African trade, aimed at reducing external dependencies and building regional economic strength. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya are also leveraging innovation, ICT, and infrastructure to position themselves as emerging economic hubs.

How Africa Can Reassert Itself on the Global Stage

For Africa to secure a dignified place in the global order, it must move beyond rhetoric and take actionable steps that promote long-term independence and strategic relevance. This involves leveraging internal strengths while reforming weaknesses that have historically made the continent vulnerable.

Institutional strengthening remains foundational. Many African states suffer from fragile institutions and weak checks and balances, making them susceptible to corruption and foreign manipulation. According to Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, more than 80% of African countries scored below 50 out of 100, indicating weak governance structures. Strengthening public institutions, promoting judicial independence, and ensuring free and fair elections are vital steps in building a credible front in international relations.

Pan-African Solidarity must also be more than a symbolic ideal. A united continental voice, as envisioned by the founders of the African Union, can significantly enhance Africa’s bargaining power in global forums. ECOWAS, the African Union, and regional economic communities should work not only to mediate conflicts but to present unified trade, security, and climate positions on the world stage. The collective expulsion of French troops from Sahel states like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso illustrates how regional coordination can challenge entrenched foreign interests.

Investment in value addition is critical. Africa holds over 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, yet continues to export raw commodities and import finished goods. Countries like Ethiopia are setting an example through their investment in textile manufacturing, and Ghana’s push for value-added cocoa processing could help reverse the resource curse. Developing local industries would not only boost GDP but also create employment and retain more wealth within African economies.

Diversification of partnerships is a strategic necessity. While relations with the West will remain important, African countries should actively deepen ties with non-traditional partners. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, India’s Africa summits, and the Russia-Africa summit all highlight shifting geopolitical dynamics that Africa can benefit from so long as partnerships are based on mutual respect, not new forms of dependency.

Youth and innovation will define Africa’s future. With nearly 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent is poised for a demographic dividend. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya are pioneering in digital infrastructure and fintech innovation. By investing in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, Africa can position its youth as drivers of economic transformation and global influence.

Conclusion

Africa’s historical subordination in international diplomacy has been shaped by centuries of exploitation, institutional fragility, and economic dependency. However, a new wave of assertive leadership and continental awakening is beginning to shift this narrative. Whether in President Tinubu’s call for trade equity, Captain Traoré’s anti-imperialist stance, or the expanding reach of the AfCFTA, signs of recalibration are emerging.

But these are only first steps. To truly reassert itself, Africa must combine moral clarity with economic power, ideological unity with institutional pragmatism. Only then can the continent move from the margins of global decision-making to the centre, where its voice is heard not as an afterthought, but as a force to be reckoned with.