in Commemoration of AFRICAN UNION DAY
Topic
AFRICA’S ROLE AND AGENCY IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS: Past, Present and Future – Prospects, and Challenges.
Date:
Thursday,
21st May
2016
Time:
10am GMT
12pm SAT
1pm EAT
Venue:
The African Regent Hotel, Accra
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Panel Discussants
Ms. Nadia Baye
Economist & Education Policy Analyst, Ghana
Prof. Jeffrey Haynes
Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK.
Dr. Tolulope Adeogun
South Africa
special Guest of Honor
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Ghana
Keynote address
Prof. Lord Mawuko-Yevugah
Director, Centre for African Diplomacy and Global Engagement, Senior Researcher, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA, Accra-Ghana.
Moderator
Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi
Executive Director – AFLIGA
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SUPPORTING PARTNERS
1. BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
Africa’s position in international relations has been profoundly shaped by historical processes rooted in external domination, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonial rule, and integration into unequal global systems (Ngofa, 2025). These experiences entrenched structural inequalities and constrained the continent’s influence within global governance, often resulting in marginal participation rather than strategic agency (Taylor & Zajontz, 2020; Nigusie & Ali, 2020).
In response, post-independence efforts toward continental unity led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union (AU), reflecting a collective ambition to reposition Africa as a more active global actor (Abegunrin, 2009; Maluwa, 2007). Despite these efforts, Africa’s representation and influence in key global institutions remain limited (Taylor, 2016).
However, recent developments signal a shift. Initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and renewed emphasis on self-determined development strategies highlight Africa’s evolving agency and growing participation in global affairs (UNECA, 2021; Zondi, 2020). Yet, internal challenges, including governance deficits, political fragmentation, and external dependencies, continue to constrain progress (Abdullahi & Maigari, 2024). Crucially, these dynamics intersect with Africa’s demographic realities, particularly the central role of women and youth in advancing governance, economic transformation, and peace and security.
With one of the youngest populations globally, there is increasing recognition of the need to integrate youth leadership and promote gender equality as foundations for inclusive development and sustainable peace.
These priorities align with key global and continental frameworks, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), as well as Agenda 2063 aspirations on inclusive growth, people-driven development, and a peaceful and secure Africa.
Against this backdrop, there is a compelling need to critically examine Africa’s role and agency across its past, present, and future trajectories. In commemoration of African Union Day, the 6th AFLIGA’s Fireside Dialogue provides a strategic platform to convene scholars, practitioners, policymakers, diplomats and emerging leaders to explore pathways for strengthening Africa’s voice and influence in global affairs.
The Dialogue will intentionally foreground discussions on inclusive governance, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship development, and community-driven peacebuilding as key pillars for enhancing Africa’s global agency.
2. About the AFLIGA Fireside Dialogue
The AFLIGA Fireside Dialogue is an interactive and conversational series hosted quarterly by the Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA) from its studios – the Vision 2050 hub in Accra, Ghana. The dialogue is designed to foster well informed intellectually stimulating discourses on critical issues of African affairs, including democratic governance, public policy, security, gender and development, and leadership.
The Fireside Dialogues create an intimate and reflective space for candid, intergenerational conversations. They enable emerging leaders and young people to engage directly with seasoned practitioners, diplomats, and scholars, promoting mentorship, knowledge exchange, and shared learning.
Beyond dialogue, the platform serves as a strategic engagement mechanism to amplify youth and women’s voices in governance processes, promote entrepreneurial thinking as a tool for economic empowerment, and foster conversations on peace, security, and institutional strengthening across the continent.
Through this approach, the Fireside Dialogue helps build a new generation of African leaders equipped with the knowledge, networks, and skills needed to drive inclusive governance, sustainable economic growth, and conflict-sensitive development in line with continental and global development priorities.
3. Aim and Objectives
Overall Aim of the Dialogue
To examine Africa’s evolving role and agency in Global Affairs and identify strategies for enhancing its influence in global governance. The Dialogue focuses on inclusive governance, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship development, and peacebuilding as key approaches for strengthening Africa’s global agency.
Specific Objectives of the 6th Dialogue
Historical Reflection
To analyse the historical foundations of Africa’s position in international relations, including the impact of colonialism and post-colonial dynamics.Contemporary Assessment
To evaluate Africa’s current collective role, contributions, and limitations within International political, economic, and diplomatic systems.Future Prospects
To explore emerging opportunities and strategies for enhancing Africa’s role and agency in a rapidly shifting global order.
- Intergenerational Engagement
To facilitate dialogue between experienced scholars, practitioners and young leaders on Africa’s global future.
- Intergenerational Engagement
Policy and Strategic Insight
To generate practical policy briefs and recommendations for policymakers, scholars, and institutions.Youth and Women Empowerment
To examine the role of youth and women as drivers of governance reforms, economic transformation, and sustainable peace in Africa.Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
To explore how entrepreneurship and innovation can strengthen Africa’s economic resilience and global competitiveness, particularly among young people.Peace, Security and Governance
To interrogate the linkages between governance systems, security, peacebuilding efforts, and Africa’s ability to assert itself effectively in global affairs.
4. Theme Justification
The theme, “Africa’s Role and Agency in Global Affairs: Past, Present and Future – Prospects and Challenges,” is both timely and strategic. It aligns with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions “an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of its people” (African Union Commission, 2015).
More specifically, it reflects key priorities under Agenda 2063, including Aspiration 1 (inclusive growth and sustainable development), Aspiration 4 (a peaceful and secure Africa), and Aspiration 6 (people-driven development anchored on women and youth).
As global power dynamics shift, Africa must move from reactive engagement to more proactive and strategic participation in international affairs.
This requires deliberate investments in education and skills (SDG 4), gender equality and women’s leadership (SDG 5), decent work and entrepreneurship (SDG 8), and strong, accountable institutions (SDG 16).
By linking Africa’s global agency to these priorities, the Dialogue positions governance, youth empowerment, women’s participation, and entrepreneurship as strategic levers for influence in global affairs.
5. Event Format
The Fireside Dialogue will begin with a presentation by an accomplished scholar/expert on International/African affairs, who will deliver a well-researched keynote paper on the topic’s frameworks and broader aspects. The keynote presentation will be followed by a discussion session (discussants) from two leading experts on African affairs. This will be followed by an interactive session with participants.
6. Target Audience
The Dialogue will engage a diverse audience, including:
- Policymakers and diplomats
- Academics and researchers in the fields of international relations and global security.
- Civil society organisations
- Postgraduate students from any field of academic discipline, especially from the social sciences and humanities.
- Youth leaders and community groups
- Media and development practitioners
- Women-led organisations and gender advocacy groups
- Entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and innovation hubs, particularly those led by young people
- Peacebuilding practitioners, governance experts, and institutions working at the intersection of security, justice, and development
7. Expected Outcomes
- Knowledge and Awareness
- Enhanced understanding of Africa’s historical and contemporary role in international relations.
- Increased awareness of the structural and systemic challenges affecting African agency.
- Improved understanding of the interconnections between governance, gender equality, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding in shaping Africa’s globalinfluence.
Dialogue and Engagement
- Strengthened intergenerational dialogue on Africa’s global positioning.
- Greater youth enlightenment and engagement in discussions on international affairs.
- Enhanced participation of women and youth in policy-relevant conversations on governance, economic development, and peace and security.
Policy and Strategic Insight
- Development of actionable recommendations for strengthening Africa’s role and agency Global Affairs.
- Contribution to ongoing discourse on reforming global governance structures.
- Generation of policy-relevant insights that promote inclusive governance systems, support youth-led entrepreneurship, advance women’s leadership, and strengthen peace and security frameworks across the continent.
Institutional Impact
- Strengthening AFLIGA’s role as an institute for strategic policy dialogue and human capital incubation.
- Informing future editions of the Fireside Dialogue series.
- Positioning AFLIGA as a convening platform for advancing conversations and partnerships around inclusive development priorities aligned with SDGs and Agenda 2063 aspirations.
Capacity and Network Development
- Strengthened networks among policymakers, young leaders, women leaders, entrepreneurs, and peacebuilding actors across the continent.
- Increased capacity of participants to engage in governance processes, entrepreneurial initiatives, and community-level peacebuilding efforts.