0
0
- iwriteafrica.com initiative and series for all-embracing continental convergence
Africans in various African countries and the diaspora are looking up to increased opportunities for unity and seamless interactions in many areas of life. They look forward to convergence of vision, values, and voices. Over time, isolated efforts by governments, businesses, media, and civil society have affected the continent’s transformation in collective terms. The future we yearn for, that will be characterized by wellness, justice, innovation, and shared prosperity still lies in hope.
Our Africa has come a long way, and the present time yearns for concerted collaborative efforts in promoting and securing Africa for the benefit of, and prosperity for ALL Africans.
Iwriteafrica.com acknowledges the various efforts in the past and present to build cooperation among our peoples in political governance, international relations and diplomacy, economic cooperation, sports, nation-building, continental cooperation, entertainment among others. However, these initiatives tend to not trickle down in reasonable applications to ordinary Africans in their communities, their sojourn in African countries or in their search for socio-economic survival.
Why Stakeholder Engagement is needful
Africa continues to experience complex and interconnected challenges. From food insecurity to youth unemployment, from mental health to climate change, no single institution has the answer. We need shared insight and multisectoral solutions.
At the continental and regional levels African nations with their leaders have been making laws and signing cooperation agreements, but how much of these efforts translate to tangible terms for individual Africans in their communities remain largely undetermined. For example, the continental protocols and agreements by then Organization of African Unity (OAU), now African Union, are there, documented but implementation and realization are often marred by national anxieties about African migrants and the resolve to protect nationals and citizens from what some consider unfair competition because of talents, experiences, exposure and determination by other Africans. Notwithstanding this and more, some African countries have benefited from infusion of such talents, but have not consolidated on such gains for it to sufficiently benefit the immediate environment and be exported to other African countries.
Doing business at corporate and enterprise levels in many African countries have their own unlimited challenges. From immigration and residency protocols to monetary transaction challenges within the continent, efforts by some Africans to do business in African countries and with African brothers and sisters have faced huge setbacks and are often justified with national legislation. While it may be necessary to regulate unfair competition for national survival, it needs to be considered that the benefits of employment that come with investments, taxation for the government and international funds flow outweigh the fears and anxieties that slow down economic progress in some African countries. Governments alone cannot legislate prosperity without the involvement and innovation of the private sector, continental businesses and entrepreneurs.
Mass media and recently the internet and social media have provided opportunities for communication and public information for many people about Africa. They have published, broadcast and often critically highlighted different issues of different concerns about and in Africa. But the mass media and other media alone cannot inform change without access to the truths that communities, leaders, and businesses hold.
African leaders and elite business people have often touted the youth as leaders of tomorrow. However, there is a lot of vacuum in what the youth are expected to be and the opportunities available to them to work as cohesive African youths. Aside periodic sporting activities in regional and continental tournaments, there are no structured, regular continental fora that bring African youths together especially in developing their continental perspective and honing their continental leadership skills. African youth cannot drive movements without mentorship, policy inclusion, and economic opportunity. Our youth feel ignored and left out of the scheme of things.
Iwriteafrica.com believes that a convergence of these forces is not a luxury but a necessity for Africa’s transformation.
When we unite…
Across the continent, we have seen remarkable outcomes when stakeholders collaborate:
Government partnerships with local businesses and media in Rwanda have driven mass-scale development and digital inclusion.
In Nigeria, government efforts at national unity; youth-led initiatives in sports, global football, music and entertainment, fashion, theatre and film with globally-acclaimed Nollywood, digital technology hubs, arts and craft and entrepreneurship have been driving forces for national cohesion, socio-economic development and international recognition.
In Kenya, cross-sector innovation hubs like iHub have birthed scalable tech solutions through youth, investor, and policy dialogue.
Each of these examples reflects one truth: When we converge, we create momentum. Imagine when initiatives like the above examples are replicated at the continental stage.
Africa’s progress will not come from outside. It will come from Africans with commitment, courage, and connection. Let us choose to build something new together.
© iwriteafrica.com, July, 2025
*TO BE CONTINUED.
Average Rating
3 thoughts on “Cock crow Africa: New dawn for collective stakeholder engagement”
“When we (Africans) converge, we create momentum” Facts! Thank you f this beautiful and inspiring piece! 👏
Thank you so much for stopping by. We are glad you found this interesting.
“When we (Africans) converge, we create momentum” Facts! Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring piece!👏