In their 2021 white paper titled “The Black Paper,” Perseus Mlambo and Mwiya Musokotwane argue that African culture is at the heart of its renaissance as its young population (70% of which is under 35) continue to grow and work toward a more habital without the ideological, geographic, and demographic constraints which have long plagued the continent.
What is the future of Africa? Only imagine an electorate whose needs are addressed in Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Cape Verde, Togo, Egypt, South Sudan – throughout the continent. IBGA envisions an Africa that works for Africans – where equitable government is enjoyed throughout the continent and Africans are behind the kinds of changes they have long needed to see.
The #EndSars Movement in Nigeria caught the attention of the world as the youth of the country took to the streets to protest an end to bribery and policy corruption of the highest order which has been marked by a series of abuses and the most alarming police brutality. Though End SARS was a decentralised social movement, its slogan which demanded the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) – energized an angry electorate. While we support the vitality of youth protesting the dysfunction in Nigeria and throughout the continent, we persistently remind Africans of the established governmental systems and the import of holding leaders accountable to the people who place them in power. Today, Nigerians are amassing their numbers to challenge Muhammadu Buhari’s failed government and demand a needed change rather than a continuation of violent social, political, and economic repression. There have been many harrowing stories about rape, torture, detention, arrest and murder on the part of SARS and its harm to Nigerian citizens – and yet, this is one contemporary example among many where the legacy of colonial administration still leaves a stain on the continent and citizens of Africa.
We recognize the challenges that the electorate face and we encourage you to donate your time and talent to help us bridge the gap. The future of Africa and the ambitions of its people require our continual investment.
We are conscious about our focus on Africa. Despite the continent’s regional variety, thousands of ethnic groups, and significant cultural diversity – we believe that our research must consciously support all the nations on the African continent – a thrust which focuses on pan-African unity.
“We have to be steady and… stay focused. We can’t compromise [because] we have to be a part of the solution. We owe it to our ancestors. A prosperous Africa is good for the world.
– Evaristus Odinikaeze
Africa will be politically relevant, prosperous, and more habitable with the help of a grassroots movement and with the support of many institutions, like ours, whose pan-African brand of activism encourages the creation (or re-creation) of a continent that espouses authentic African ideals.
We believe that a respect and appreciation of indigenous African cultures is lacking in this current cultural milieu. Therefore, our research centers on the type of political theory and practice that is true to the tastes and desires of each region we encounter. We believe that policy making, and political process is the key to an empowered and enlightened political class. Our research and knowledge-building efforts center on our organization’s collective desire to encourage greater equity in governance on the African continent.
