Africa & Global Power

Introduction             Africa, long marginalized in global affairs as a peripheral actor defined by poverty, conflict, and dependency, is undergoing a profound transformation. By 2025, the continent—home to 1.4 billion people, vast untapped resources, and the world's youngest and fastest-growing population—is no longer a passive recipient of external agendas but an active shaper of international dynamics. This shift is driven by a confluence of demographic dividends, economic integration efforts, and intensified great-power competition, positioning Africa as a geopolitical fulcrum in a multipolar world. As the African Union (AU) gains permanent membership in the G20 and BRICS expands to include African nations, the continent's agency is amplifying, challenging outdated narratives of victimhood and enabling strategic recalibrations that prioritize self-reliance and mutual partnerships. Historical Context: From Colonial Periph...

  Introduction             Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938–1997), the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and founder of Afrobeat, crafted a transformative musical genre blending West African highlife, jazz, funk, and Yoruba rhythms into a potent vehicle for socio-political critique. His compositions, such as "Zombie" (1976) and "Coffin for Head of State" (1980), challenged authoritarianism, colonialism, and systemic injustice, positioning him as a global icon of resistance. Kuti’s confrontational artistry, rooted in Pan-Africanist ideology, led to over 200 arrests and shaped a legacy that continues to inspire contemporary musicians and activists worldwide. Felabration on the other, is an annual festival initiated in 1998 by Kuti’s daughter, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, commemorates his life and contributions. Held at the New Africa Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria, from October 13–19, 2025, to mark Fela’s birthday, Felabration 2025 encapsulates Afrobe...