The African mindset and neocolonial control
Description
The most insidious aspect of neocolonialism, however, is its impact on the African mindset. Many Africans are aware of the exploitative systems at play, yet dismantling them seems impossible. Why? Because these systems are not just economic or political. They are psychological. The long history of external domination has shaped a collective mentality of resignation, reinforcing the belief that the status quo cannot be changed. Generations have been conditioned to expect foreign solutions, to see local initiatives as inferior and to believe that power and prosperity are reserved for outsiders. This mindset is the invisible barrier that sustains Africa’s exploitation.
If Africa is to break free, the first battle must be waged in the mind. The Strategy2035 vision aims to build a self-sustaining, empowered African Federation with 10 million engaged citizens rejecting neocolonial dependencies and driving local innovation. But this vision is unattainable unless Africans recognise their agency, reject psychological subjugation and take ownership of their destiny. The neocolonial system thrives because it has convinced people that it is invincible. The truth is, it can collapse overnight - if Africans decide, collectively and individually, to reject it. The real question is: why hasn’t this happened yet? What tools have been used to suppress ambition and compromise African agency? And most importantly, how can these barriers be dismantled to trigger a mindset shift powerful enough to reclaim Africa’s future?
A striking example of this entrenched system is Africa’s trade relationships. Many resource-rich nations export raw materials at low prices, only to import finished products at significantly higher costs, reinforcing economic dependency. Governance structures, shaped by external pressures, often prioritise foreign investments over local enterprise, while international financial institutions dictate policies that limit Africa’s economic sovereignty. Education systems, too, largely mirror Western frameworks, preparing graduates for roles in multinational corporations rather than equipping them to build self-sustaining industries. These patterns are not accidental - they are the mechanisms that keep Africa tethered to external control.
Summary
Africa’s fight against neocolonialism extends beyond politics and economics. It is also a battle of perception and mindset. Despite widespread recognition of the exploitative systems at play, the continent remains trapped in a cycle of dependency, its potential constrained by a mindset that has been systematically conditioned to accept external dominance. Foreign powers benefit from Africa’s continued reliance on their financial systems, development models and governance structures, while local elites maintain the status quo for personal gain. Yet, the most formidable challenge is the internalised belief that change is impossible. A belief that has been ingrained over centuries of domination.
There’s an urgent need for a mindset shift. This shift is the first and most crucial step toward breaking free from neocolonial control. The Strategy2035 vision is built on the premise that Africa can achieve true sovereignty by 2050, but this will not happen unless we reclaim our agency. Let’s ask ourselves: why do we continue to comply with a system that exploits us? Understanding the psychological tools used to suppress ambition - through education, media, economic policies and governance - will help us identify strategies to reverse this conditioning.
Solutions must go beyond mere economic restructuring; they must dismantle the mental barriers that keep us stagnant. Pan-African consciousness, economic self-reliance and the rejection of inferiority complexes are going to be needed to disrupt this cycle. Africa’s future cannot be dictated by external interests, nor should its development be contingent on foreign approval. The challenge is clear: We must stop waiting for external permission to rise. The moment the continent collectively rejects neocolonial dependencies and adopts self-determination, the system will collapse. The question is no longer whether Africa has the potential to thrive. It is whether we are ready to seize it.
Signs of resistance are already emerging. Across the continent, youth-led initiatives are rejecting dependency models and building alternative solutions. From fintech revolutions reducing reliance on Western banking systems to homegrown tech startups filling gaps in education and healthcare. Countries like Rwanda and Ghana have prioritised local manufacturing and digital transformation, proving that economic self-reliance is achievable. According to The New Times Rwanda, these efforts have played a big role in Rwanda's development. These successes demonstrate that a mindset shift is already underway. However, for Africa to truly break free, these efforts must scale, be replicated and most importantly, be rooted in a collective consciousness that refuses to accept neocolonial control as inevitable.
