Africa's reality: the facts that will anchor Africa’s future

I would like, in the first place, to congratulate my friend and brother, Professor Kingsley Ayodele Moghalu, on his well deserved appointment as the Pioneer President /Vice Chancellor of the African School of Governance (ASG). The ASG was established in Kigali, Rwanda, on 16 October 2024 by prominent and concerned African leaders, notably President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and former Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

My wife, Rev. Christiana Asinugo who is Vicar of All Saints' Church of England, Goodmayes, and I were delighted to know about Kingsley's meritorious appointment. We will continue to remember Professor Moghalu and his family in our prayers, that God gives him the wisdom and resilience to pull through his tenure creditably. We know that this will be the start of re-writing the African political narrative which has for so long remained a dark, one-track affair. My family and I are proud to be associated with you, Professor Moghalu.

Having said that, I hasten to quote your acknowledgement in LinkedIn where you said: "I have had the God-given, rare privilege to have had a multi-dimensional professional career. I’ve been a lawyer, journalist, UN diplomat, Strategy, Risk management and Investment consultant, political economist, Central Bank governor, professor, politician, philanthropist, author, traditional title holder (cultural governance), international keynote speaker, corporate board chairman and director, leader of men and women.

But I consider my current role as President (Vice-Chancellor) of the African School of Governance, ASG, as perhaps the most important role I have had, possibly as a result of all the previous roles. That’s because the vision and mission of ASG is truly profound: a prosperous, stable Africa governed by men and women with the mindset of purpose-driven leadership that has the knowledge and skills to tackle Africa’s challenges, seize its opportunities, and change our continent’s narrative. As His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and co-founder of ASG put it when he received me at Urugwiro Village (his office in Kigali) earlier this week, the African School of Governance was founded to answer the question: “How do we change Africa’s reality?” Good. Very good.

President Kagame succeeded in setting my mind on fire literarily. After reading about Moghalu's onerous task, I began to think: but what in essence is Africa's reality?

The African continent has abundant solid, mineral and manpower resources which it is virtually unable to harness for its development mainly due to official corruption. This is an African reality. The continent has people who would gladly collaborate with foreign powers to sabotage their own people purely for their own selfish aggrandisement. This is another African reality. The cases of Saddam Hussein and Maummar Gaddafi readily come to mind.

The continent has people who are concerned that with everything nature adorned Africa, the continent remains poor and underdeveloped. They are anxious to see that the countries of Africa take their rightful places within the comity of nations. This is also reality. Some Africans blame foreign countries for their leadership failures instead of blaming themselves. When elections are rigged or manipulated and the people are denied their real choice of leaders, could that be attributed to the white man's influence? Of course not, and that is another reality.

In a nutshell, what can we say is Africa's reality? And I believe it is only when we realise what this reality actually is that we can delve into how the African School of Governance can face those "leaders" who have sworn that Africans would never come out of the woods?

The much we know, Africa is a continent of remarkable diversity and immense potential that has seemingly helplessly stood at crossroads for centuries. Home to over 1.4 billion people, the continent boasts of vast natural resources, a young and dynamic population and a rich cultural heritage. Yet, Africa's reality seems to have been shaped by significant political, social, economic, and leadership challenges. We know that these challenges, while daunting, are not insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination. With visionary leadership and commitment to transformative change, Africa can rise to its full potential and secure a brighter future for its people. That, know.

Already, many African nations have embraced democratic governance in recent decades, with multiparty elections becoming common and even popular. However, these democracies often remained vulnerable, characterized by electoral malpractices, weak institutions and capricious political accountability. In countries like Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, leaders have clung to power for decades, stifling political competition and undermining democratic processes. This is Africa's reality. Elections in some parts of Africa have continued to be marred by violence, voter intimidation, and accusations of fraud. These practices erode public trust in democratic institutions and discourage active participation by the citizenry. In addition, political opposition is frequently suppressed, and dissenting voices are silenced, creating an environment of fear and repression. This is the reality in Africa today.

Political instability remains a pervasive issue in Africa. From coups in Sudan, Mali, and Niger to prolonged civil wars in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, conflicts have displaced millions, caused humanitarian crises, and derailed development efforts. The root causes of these conflicts often have to do with ethnic divisions, weak governance, and competition over resources. The inability of some governments to effectively address these issues has continued to allow extremist groups like Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and ISIS-affiliated factions to flourish, further destabilizing regions like the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and northern Nigeria. This is Africa's reality.

Corruption as a significant impediment to good governance in Africa is another reality. Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index often ranks many African countries among the most corrupt in the world. Corruption diverts resources meant for public services, stifles economic growth, and exacerbates inequality. Grand corruption at the top levels of government undermines public trust, while petty corruption at the grassroots level affects ordinary citizens in their daily lives. This is another reality.

Africa's population is predominantly young, with over 60% of its people under the age of 30. This demographic trend presents both an opportunity and a challenge. If harnessed correctly, Africa’s youth could drive economic growth and innovation. However, high levels of youth unemployment and underemployment have continued to threaten to turn this potential asset into a liability. Young people across the continent often face limited access to quality education, vocational training, and job opportunities. Many migrate overseas in search of better prospects, risking their lives in dangerous journeys across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. Another African reality.

Despite progress in some areas, gender inequality remains a persistent issue in Africa. Women and girls often face barriers to education, employment, and political participation. Harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation continue to affect millions. It is, therefore, very important to consider empowering women and ensuring gender equality are essential for Africa’s development, as women constitute a significant portion of the workforce and play crucial roles in communities. This is also a reality.

Another reality is that Africa faces a dual burden of disease: infectious diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, and the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Access to healthcare remains limited in many rural and underserved areas, and public health systems are often underfunded and ill-equipped. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of Africa’s healthcare infrastructure. Limited vaccine access and inadequate healthcare facilities underscored the need for greater investment in health systems.

Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and arable land. However, the continent has continued to struggle to translate this wealth into sustainable economic development, with very little success when compared with other continents. Resource-rich countries like Nigeria, Angola, and South Sudan face the “resource curse,” where reliance on commodity exports leads to economic volatility, corruption, and inequality. Inadequate infrastructure, limited industrialization, and a lack of value addition to raw materials continue to hinder Africa’s economic transformation. Most African economies remain heavily dependent on agriculture and resource extraction, with little diversification. Africa’s trade relationships are often characterized by dependency on raw material exports and the importation of finished goods. This dependency creates trade imbalances and limits economic self-reliance. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), launched in 2021, was to offer an opportunity to boost intra-African trade and reduce reliance on external markets, but its potential remains hugely underutilized. This is another reality of Africa.

Poor infrastructure, including inadequate roads, unreliable electricity, and limited access to clean water, continues to hamper economic development. In many African countries, businesses face high operating costs due to unreliable power supply and poor transportation networks. And we know that addressing these infrastructure deficits is critical for attracting investment and fostering economic growth.

Africa’s leadership challenges stem from a lack of vision and commitment to public service. Many leaders prioritize personal enrichment over national development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. The absence of accountability mechanisms allows corrupt practices to flourish unchecked. Furthermore, entrenched political elites often resist reforms that threaten their interests. This resistance had always stifled innovation, discouraged investment, and perpetuated a status quo that benefitted a few at the expense of the majority.

While regional organizations like the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have made strides in promoting integration and resolving conflicts, their effectiveness has often been limited by a lack of funding, political will, and coordination among member states.

Indeed, Professor Moghalu would have an enormous task on his shoulders. But first, the ASG must ensure that it trains out leaders who will prioritize building strong, independent institutions that uphold the rule of law, ensure free and fair elections, and hold public officials accountable. Strengthening the judiciary, anti-corruption bodies, and electoral commissions can help foster good governance and restore public trust and turn around the current African narrative.

Fighting corruption requires both strong institutions and a cultural shift. Leaders must lead by example, ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations. Digitalizing public services and financial systems can also reduce opportunities for corruption. ASG must focus on training out African leaders who must prioritize education and skills development to empower their youths. Investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, as well as vocational training, can equip young people with the skills needed to compete in a globalized economy.

ASG must look at producing leaders who will appreciate that empowering women and ensuring gender equality should be central to Africa’s development agenda. Leaders can promote policies that enhance women’s access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, while addressing harmful cultural practices that limit their potential. To reduce dependency on raw material exports, African leaders that are produced by ASG must promote industrialization and value addition. Developing sectors like manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy can create jobs and drive sustainable growth. Also, investing in infrastructure is critical for economic development. Leaders should prioritize projects that improve transportation, energy, and water supply, leveraging public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms.

Regional collaboration is essential for addressing shared challenges and maximizing opportunities. Leaders must fully implement initiatives like the AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade, create regional value chains, and reduce dependency on external markets. The new African leaders must allocate greater resources to healthcare, ensuring access to quality services for all citizens. Investing in health infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and promoting preventive care can strengthen public health systems.

They must address the root causes of conflicts, including inequality, marginalization, and competition over resources. Investing in peace-building, promoting inclusive governance, and fostering dialogue can help prevent and resolve conflicts. But above all, the new leaders should embrace transparency and encourage citizen participation in governance. By empowering civil society, promoting press freedom, and creating platforms for dialogue, leaders can ensure that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of their people.

Africa’s reality is one of immense potential juxtaposed with significant challenges. The continent’s political, social, economic, and leadership issues are interconnected, requiring comprehensive and coordinated solutions. ASG-produced African leaders will hold the key to unlocking the continent’s potential. By embracing visionary leadership, prioritizing good governance, and fostering inclusive development, they can chart a path toward a prosperous and equitable Africa. The journey will not be easy, Professor Moghalu, but the rewards which anchors on a thriving, united, and globally respected continent are well worth the effort. We wish you well, my friend.

Asinugo is a London-based British-Nigerian veteran journalist, author and publisher of ROLU Business Magazine (Website: https://rolultd.com)