INTRODUCTION
The region of Africa can be grouped among the primordial communities that ever graced the
earliest days of human existence. Countries like Egypt and Ethiopia were among the various
civilizations that formed the global society as at the time. According to estimates, the ancient
Egyptian civilization thrived for more than 2000 years more than 5000 years ago. Several
innovations, social and governmental organizations, and significant architectural achievements
that are concurrent in our world today are attributed to this civilization. Across various epochs
of history, we have seen the prominence of African societies and their contributions to the
growth and development of modern societies prior to the advent of slave trade and
colonialism.
With the passage of time, various notable enclaves were formed like the Dahomeyan kingdom
(present day Benin Republic) renowned for their feminine military prowess (Dahomey
Amazons), the Ashante kingdom most notable for her wealth and formidable military and
political structure under the auspices of Osei Tutu, the Asantehene Osei Tutu and his priest
Komfo Anokye combined the separate chiefdoms into the most potent political and military
entity in the coastal region (Quintana, 2010)).
All of the communities listed above alongside a handful of others depict that the organizational
structure of societies in Africa during various periods in human history were quite formidable.
But the adage that says 'change is the only constant phenomenon in life' reflects even in human
societies. There have been a wide variety of political, economic and social structures since the
inception of individual communities. Various societies over time have adopted systems they
deemed fit to govern themselves and Africa has not been an exception.
Contemporarily, technology has played a huge factor for the world and her parastatals to
experience change in every facets. Globalization has become/is still becoming an attainable
feat in the contemporary world order. Societal structures have been recalibrated to
accommodate the processes of integration. The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has
tremendously facilitated this endeavor. In no doubt, Africa has experienced changes and this
continuum of changes has affected her in various and certain ways of which lessons can be
drawn from to help navigate through an everchanging global order. Thus, this paper seems to
highlight and evaluate the evolution of Africa from the earliest civilization to modern times and
subsequently predict or make recommendations that can advance Africa's position on the
global stage.
SITUATING AFRICA IN AN EMERGING MULTI POLAR ORDER
As stated earlier, scanning through the annals of human history, Africa in primeval times was
very relevant in comparison to contemporary European and Asian societies. Ranking Africa
among the developed societies during that era is certainly accurate considering the influence
African empires wielded as at the time. But over time and of recency, Africa's position as a
regional hegemon within the framework of a global community has dwindled and thus she
journeys on an alternate course of relevance in global affairs.
The dynamism of ancient African politics can be characterized by their adoption of a
monarchical system of government (either absolute or constitutional). But essentially, these
monarchs were more dictatorial in nature and wielded much powers which in various ways
bolstered their empires. But contact with the Western world brought about a change in the
political construct of Africa. Adesanya (2022) posits that African integration into the globalized
world can be traced to significant eras in human history, including slavery, colonialism,
neocolonialism, and more recently, globalization. Globalization has proceeded to reshape world
politics by repositioning and ranking nations on the basis of their projected abilities or
contributions to the preservation of the international community.
Engel & Ramos (2013) assert that the collapse of long-standing authoritarian regimes in Africa,
the emergence of new political players, and unorthodox modes of participation, such as those
made possible by information and communication technology, must all be taken into account
by the new international political configuration. In an emerging multi polar order (departing
from the existential US hegemonic order), considering the emancipation of countries like Brazil,
Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) and some other relevant powers like France, United
Kingdom etc, there has been a reconfiguration of power and regrouping of nations of the world
in various classes. Concepts like; the First World, Second World, Third World, Global North,
Global South, Newly Industrialized Countries, Heavily Indebted Poor Countries among a few
others have been introduced to classify or rank nations based on their generic abilities.
Unfortunately, majority of African nations are classified under inferior groupings due to various
reasons. According to World Population Review (2022), nine out of ten countries with the
lowest Human Development Index in the world are African nations as against eight European
countries out of ten that have the highest. This is an emblem of the general ranking of African
nations.
Although, Adesanya (2022) attributes this subpar position to the ills of colonialism. According to
him, the inability of colonialism to create effective and powerful structures has remained a
barrier to Africa's progress. Literacy and the schooling of personnel needed by the colonialists
to expand their exploitation of Africa were the main foci of colonial education. Following their
independence, a number of African nations have experienced a sizable number of military
coups, countercoups, armed confrontations, and even civil wars with the most recent of power
usurpation in the Sahel subregion of West Africa. It is quite difficult to determine where Africa
as a continent its headed considering the incessant plagues of poverty, insecurity, political
instability amid many other recurring adverse factors. Although, various programmes and
initiatives have been set up but little or no significant achievements have been made thus far.
The South-South Cooperation initiative engendered by China and a host of others have set a
course for which nations (particularly Africans) can achieve their developmental objectives that
can reinstate their relevance within the global polity.
Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77 (G77) (2005) explains that one of the defining
characteristics of South-South cooperation has been the lack of proper implementation,
methodical follow-up, and institutional support, which has caused many of its lofty objectives as
well as important and promising projects and ideas to remain mostly on paper and
unfortunately, some emerging nations like China despite their immense contributions to the
development of Africa are still milking the resources of the region and creating markets for
their domestic produce. The African Development Bank Group (2012) outline that an
increasingly significant economic force in Africa is China. Chinese investments in Africa are
widespread and don't just come from the Chinese government and big state-owned businesses.
Several private Chinese businesses have also made significant investments in Africa.
Consequentially, this can undermine the growth of home based industries and limiting exports
markets to other regions of the world.
Africa's political and economic challenges are derived from their weak institutions. A region so
endowed with numerous resources and was well governed before the invasion of colonialism
unfortunately struggles to survive in the concurrent global setting. Therefore, a restructuring is
paramount for African societies that will help the vision of a relevant Africa attainable.
Democracy is highly coveted and is probably the best form of governance but its periodic rituals
does not guarantee a fulfilling nation. Thus, institutions that are democratic friendly should be
empowered and remain independent and incorruptible by external forces. Also Africa is to
blessed to be poor. Nations like Singapore, United Arab Emirates were bereft of mineral
resources unlike Africa. Yet, these countries found a coping mechanism and bettered their
economies. Over reliance on foreign aids exhibits a high level of irresponsibility and neglect to
the potentialities of a nation. African leaders should focus on enhancing productivity and
eradicating the wide spread practice of consumption of foreign goods. This in repercussion will
solve the high rates of unemployment in the nation as well as attract even foreign investments.
REDEFINING PAN AFRICAN IN AN EVOLVING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
LANDSCAPE
The idea of a communal feeling was prominent in the struggle for independence from colonial
powers. With this being attained, African nations have formed regional and sub-regional
organizations to foster collective partnership and abolish elements of colonialism still rooted in
the region. The principe of self determination provides these entities am avenue to run their
affairs devoid of foreign intervention except in extreme cases. Athough many African societies
are autonomous, there are still foreign nations via the modified version of colonialism known as
neocolonialism that wield considerable power over such nations.
The challenges pertaining to security have been a menace to various subregions of Africa. The
proximity of the Horn of Africa to the Middle East has ushered in insecurity to the region which
by implication has spread to other sub regions in the dark continent. According to Statista
(2023), nine out of ten countries from Africa and the Middle East topped the list of the most
Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in 2021. Due to the unpalatable situation, there have been
ample supplies of foreign military interventions in both regions which surprisingly have left the
challenges of security unabated. The recent military takeover in Niger republic has added more
fuel to fire with rumors of war writhing through the Sahel region.
It is of no doubt that the essence of Pan Africanism is losing its identity for neighboring nations
to ever consider going to war. In a world of statecentrism, it is quite difficult to align with other
nations save for an alignment of interests. But in order to revive a sense of brotherhood
amongst her kin, strangers must be expunged. The conflict between ECOWAS and Niger
Republic and her allies can be resolved amicably if the interests of foreign powers are dissolved.
Thus, African security challenges can be combated through a concerted effort of African nations
unsoiled by foreign powers like The Wagner Group of Russia or The Western allies.
LEVERAGING AI AND BIG DATA: FRAMEWORKS, PRACTICE And AFRICA'S PREPAREDNESS
Artificial Intelligence commonly acronymized as "AI" has been supposedly tagged as the new
"oil" of technology. The Council of Europe via the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI)
being aware of the possibilities of AI for promoting economic growth as well as society and
individual well-being by fostering innovation and advancement and on the other hand, the
adverse impact of its misuse, issued out a draft to ensure appropriate use of such potent
technology.
The Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) convention (2023) define AI as any algorithmic
system or a combination of such systems that, as defined herein and in the domestic law of
each Party, uses computational methods derived from statistics or other mathematical
techniques to carry out functions that are commonly associated with, or would otherwise
require, human intelligence and that either assists or replaces the judgment of human decision-
makers in carrying out those functions. Such functions include, but are not limited to,
prediction, planning, classification, pattern recognition, organisation, perception,
speech/sound/image recognition, text/sound/image generation, language translation,
communication, learning, representation, and problem solving.
In a world of blooming technology, the need to capitalize on newer developments cannot be
overemphasized. According to the African Union (2014) on the Common Africa Position (CAP)
on the post 2015 development agenda, Africa’s development priorities are classed into six
pillars: (i) structural economic transformation and inclusive growth; (ii) science, technology and
innovation; (iii) people-centred development; (iv) environmental sustainability natural
resources management, and disaster risk management; (v) peace and security; and (vi) finance
and partnerships. By virtue of this grouping, it can be asserted that the region has set her
priorities in order. But according to Allen (2021), the continuous spread of networks, sensors,
artificial intelligence, and automation is igniting a revolution across Africa that will lead to an
unknowable endpoint. African states' security and stability are being significantly impacted by
new technological developments. African nations may experience increased peace and
prosperity if they seize the chances presented by rising technologies while minimizing the risks
involved. There is no doubt what new technologies like AI can achieve. But regulation is
paramount to minimize the risks of abuse of such volatile technology.
Emulating the Council of Europe can be the first step for African States to leverage on the
innumerable benefits that accompanies the power of technology. As a continent battling
security crisis and many other vices, deploying the abilities of AI as outlined above can help
assuage the full blown tensions in various parts of the region. Although, we cannot deny that
there are weak or non-existent parastatals that can foster the use of technologies in Africa but
if states can invest more into this venture and meticulous regulations are carried out via the
regional body (the AU) and her parastatals, Africa might have just set out on a journey of
economic and environmental recuperation.
NAVIGATING TRANSITION IN AN EVOLVING GLOBAL ORDER
Africa's political evolution has quite been a progression from various structures to what is
incumbent today. Africa is a heterogeneous community of various cultures and religion and this
has affected the transitional nature of Africa. According to Bratton (1994), few intermediary
institutions that fill the political void between the home and the state appear to exist in African
countries. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that rural people still have
allegiance to cultural and religious organizations that express collective identities, such as clan,
age-set, and brotherhood. Additionally, in reaction to the destabilizing effects of modernization
and the market economy throughout the days of colonialism, Africans created new kinds of
voluntary organization. These provided updated expressions of long-standing informal
solidarities in some cases (such as ethnic welfare associations, prophetic movements, and
agricultural work parties), while in other instances (such as peasant initiatives, labor unions, and
teachers' associations) they provided expression to new professional and class identities.
The inability to uphold the political framework of democracy in a post colonial age has been a
rampaging issue to many nations in Africa. And as stated earlier, many IDP camps are situated
in Africa. The grueling political instability in the region has been a critical factor for emigration
of the populace to other societies within and even outside the region. This has spilled over to
even the economy of the continent as labor (employable labor) is scarce in the region. In a
country like Nigeria, 85% of doctors are rumored to leave the country in search of greener
pastures according to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) (Adejoro, 2023).
Trade in itself within the continent is not left out. In 2018, the African Continental Free Trade
Area (AfCFTA) was ratified with the primary objective of "creating a single market for goods,
services, facilitated by movement of persons in order to deepen the economic integration of
the African continent and in accordance with the Pan African Vision of “An integrated,
prosperous and peaceful Africa” enshrined in Agenda 2063" amongst a host of others (African
Union, 2018). But with the diminishing rate of labor force and the growing instability, this goal
might just remain a vision without hope of actualization. Ojo (2021) reports that one issue that
has proven to weaken the accord is the lack of infrastructure to stop smuggling and other illegal
practices over the border. Many African nations lack the institutional capacity to oversee and
regulate activity along their land borders, which is crucial to complying with the AfCFTA and
ECOWAS authentication and monitoring criteria. The issue of population is also an
infrastructural problem. Many African societies are densely populated but the working force of
such populations are relatively low and as such, the economy of such nations underachieve
their goals. Lastly, individualism has gotten the better of African nations. The government of
Nigeria mandated the partial shutdown of the entire land borders in August 2019 and the
complete closure of all land borders in October 2019. The trade with Nigeria's neighbors (Benin,
Cameroun, Chad, and Niger) was interrupted as a result of the closure, which was illegal under
the AfCFTA, a treaty to which Nigeria is a signatory. This action embarked upon by the Nigerian
government suggests the weakness of such an agreement.
CONCLUSION
As a strategic region in the world right from the genesis of human history to modern times,
Africa's relevance within the context of a global competition is of no doubt an
underperformance. Economy, politics, institutions and infrastructures in Africa over the years
have experienced an exponential decline. While it is uncertain where Africa is headed in an ever
changing world order, it is of necessity that collectivism void of foreign interference and
personal interests is highly recommended to make headways in this contemporary setting.
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