The Amplifying African Voices for Strategic Action (AFSA) Conference was a landmark event held at Strathmore University, Nairobi, bringing together policymakers, academics, media practitioners, civil society activists, think tanks, and business leaders. Organized by the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at Wits University, in partnership with Strathmore University, Kenya, the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) and the Africa Centre for the Study of the United States at University of Nairobi. The conference aimed to critically analyze the role of Africa in global power competition and propose strategic solutions to enhance African agency in political, economic, and cultural affairs.
Key Themes and Discussions
The conference, which took place over two days, featured an engaging lineup of nine roundtable discussions alongside eight insightful panel discussions each adressing several key themes, including:
- Framing the African Agency – Addressing how Africa can take control of its political, economic, and social advancement rather than playing a reactive role in global affairs.
- African Agency in Health Research – Showcasing experiences from multi-country health research initiatives, with a focus on African-led leadership in research collaborations.
- Geopolitics and Reform of Global Governance – Analyzing Africa’s role in global institutions like the United Nations and the AU, and strategizing responses to emerging global power shifts.
- Africa-Americas Forum on China Relations – Examining China’s expanding influence in Africa and Latin America through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
- The African Diaspora as an Avenue for African Agency – Exploring the contributions of the African Diaspora in shaping economic and social progress on the continent.
- Geopolitics and Information Rights in Africa – Addressing the influence of global power competition on Africa’s digital sovereignty, information rights, and media freedoms.
- Amplifying Africa’s Agency in U.S. Engagement – Strategizing Africa’s approach to the evolving U.S.-Africa partnership in trade, security, and diplomacy.
- The Role of African Media in Amplifying African Voices on the Global Stage – Discussing the challenges faced by African media in advocating for Africa’s position on international issues.
- China’s belt and road initiative in Africa – Assessing how the Belt and Road Initiative has manifested in Africa over the last decade.
- Global Powers, Regional Organizations and Peace, Security and Development in the Horn of Africa – Appraising how the interactions between global powers and regional organizations are shaping and impacting peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa.
- Africa Agency for climate change – Considering the role, application, and position of African Agency in the multifaceted space of climate change studies.
- African Agency in Global Dynamics –Exploring how Africa can leverage its agency to navigate the complexities of global power competition in pursuit of its peace, security, and developmental objectives.
- Strategies for Enhancing African Agency in relations with major external peace and security partners – Reflecting on the evolution of African engagements with major external peace and security partners such as the United States, France, China, and Russia.
- Opportunities and Challenges for African Agency in Emerging Technologies, AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Exploring the dynamic interplay between technological advancement, economic independence, and African agency, focusing on how African nations can leverage innovations in digital infrastructure, agriculture, and communication to foster development and assert their role in the global digital economy.
- African Agency from the Perspective of Treaties and Negotiations – Considering how the RECs assert African agency and contribute to Africa's evolving role in global governance through their interactions with various powers, ensuring that the continent’s interests are represented in an equitable and forward-looking manner.
- African Agency in International Relations and Diplomacy – Exploring the multifaceted nature of Africa's engagement in global affairs, while providing a platform for critical discussion on how African states and regional organizations assert their interests, navigate global negotiations, and contribute to shaping international norms and policies.
Strategic Outcomes and Recommendations
The conference sought to move beyond discussion to propose tangible actions for African stakeholders, including:
- Strengthening Africa’s negotiation power in global forums by unifying regional interests and policy positions.
- Enhancing African-led research and innovation in health, technology, and digital governance.
- Increasing Africa’s influence in multilateral organizations and global governance structures.
- Encouraging diaspora engagement in Africa’s socio-economic development.
- Leveraging African media as a tool for agenda-setting and global influence.
Conclusion and the Path Forward
The AFSA Conference 2024 was a pivotal gathering that provided a roadmap for African agency, fostering dialogue and practical strategies for positioning Africa as a formidable global player. The event reinforced the need for collaborative efforts among African institutions, policymakers, and civil society to advocate for Africa’s interests on the world stage.
