Africa’s governance systems remain deeply influenced by colonial-era structures, which prioritised control and resource extraction rather than participatory leadership and self-determination. Many decades after independence, many African nations still operate under political frameworks designed to serve external interests. Leadership, rather than being a vehicle for national progress, often functions as a mechanism for maintaining the status quo - where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, corruption thrives and foreign influence dictates policy decisions. This governance model is not accidental. It is a direct outcome of neocolonial control, reinforced by debt dependency, manipulated elections and an education system that discourages critical thinking about self-rule.
The psychological impact of this governance structure is profound. African citizens have been conditioned to view leadership as an untouchable entity. Something to be feared, not held accountable. Political elites exploit ethnic and regional divisions, causing internal conflicts that divert attention from systemic failures. Elections, though presented as democratic milestones, often serve as mere spectacles, legitimising regimes that uphold foreign economic interests rather than domestic prosperity. Meanwhile, international financial institutions dictate national economic policies, limiting governments’ ability to prioritise local industries and public welfare. As a result, governance in many African states is marked by instability, weak institutions and policies that prioritise compliance with foreign donors over national development.
Decades after independence, too many African leaders continue to mirror the very systems that once oppressed their nations. Instead of championing policies that uplift their people, they entrench themselves in power, leveraging foreign alliances to secure their own positions while the masses remain disenfranchised. This cycle of governance, shaped more by external influences than internal vision, leaves nations stagnating in a state of controlled independence - sovereign in name but bound by the same forces that once ruled them.
Breaking free from this system requires a radical redefinition of leadership and governance. Africa must shift from externally influenced governance models to structures rooted in self-determination, transparency and regional cooperation. This means decentralising power to local authorities, strengthening institutions that ensure accountability and building a leadership culture that prioritises long-term national interests over short-term political survival. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 provides a framework for this transformation, but it will only succeed if African leaders and citizens reject the deeply ingrained belief that governance must align with foreign approval. A leadership model built on Pan-African cooperation, economic sovereignty and grassroots democracy is not just an alternative; it is a necessity for true independence.