Today, Africa is grappling with the combination of unstable economic growth and market fragility, which pose serious challenges to driving inclusive growth and sustainable development with adverse implications for the wellbeing of the continent’s current 1.4 billion population.

In the international arena, on the other hand, the continent's demands for the reform of the existing and unfavorable global financial architecture, including the multilateral development banking institutions and the reform of the United Nations Security Council to reflect the present-day realities, have taken deeper roots among political and civil society leaders. But it is yet to produce the desired response.

Given the determination and commitment, on the continent and within the diaspora, for the wholesome transformation of the social and economic conditions in Africa as well as its international posture and strategic autonomy in relation to the rapidly evolving global order, it is necessary for Africa to devise its own approach to frame existing local vulnerabilities and global strategic problems. Beside the fact that Africa's bifurcation and ethno-regional plurality comprise a fault line that has been exploited by the Global North and others alike with vested interests in exploiting Africa's abundant natural resources, the high dependence of its economy and its episteme (power-knowledge systems) deprive the continent of cogent solutions, tailored to the unique conditions surrounding the challenges we face.

We need clear and consistent framing and articulation of the continent’s approach – the Africa Way – to key global issues as well as concerns about recent political instabilities across the continent, the escalation of unresolved existential threats to social stability lurking in the sub-regions, and the high debt repayment burdens.

The Center for African Policy Solutions (CAPS) is conceived in this spirit to contribute to the awakening of Africa amidst the ongoing recalibration of the global order. It underscores that Africa needs to deliberately reimagine its international posture and strategic autonomy, in opposition to the current trajectory wherein it is being heavily influenced from outside - even on matters such as how to put its own house in order.

In this regard, the Center for African Policy Solutions is deeply rooted in arguing that external approaches to the development problems on the African Continent shortchange African economies in becoming dependent on the Global North, and missing real opportunities for economic development and the rise of the continent as a global economic power.

Africa will be better positioned to vigorously participate in the world economy and achieve greater prosperity when we fashion authentic African solutions to our current development challenges. We have to recognize that for Africa to rise as a global economic giant in the future, it has to put its house in order by tackling head-on issues such as corruption, bad governance, political instability, poverty and inequality, and the predatory nature of the political class.

Alie Kabba