African leaders pose for a group photo at the 38th African Union Heads of State Summit, February 2025. File Photo.
In today’s shifting global order, Africa is gaining strategic traction in a world no longer defined by a simple East-West binary. With the decline of U.S. global hegemony and the rise of new powers, African states are finding room to assert their agency and navigate a multipolar world on their own terms.
China’s Non-Interference Approach
China’s strategy in Africa has long been guided by economic interest, infrastructure investment, and a principle of non-interference. This model, under the framework of “South-South Cooperation,” has appealed to many African governments. It promises development without conditionality—no demands for governance reforms or human rights improvements in exchange for roads, railways, dams, and bridges. In contrast to the traditional aid-based model of the West, China offers partnerships that emphasize respect for sovereignty, economic cooperation, and shared prosperity. These relationships have allowed China to entrench itself in strategic sectors, from natural resources to digital infrastructure and communication.
Western Recalibration: Africa Relations from Aid to Equitable Partnerships
Having recognized the appeal of China’s hands-off approach, Western countries—particularly in Northern Europe—are adopting new strategies. Countries like Denmark, Norway, and Finland are shifting from aid-driven policies to ones based on trade, mutual investment, climate adaptation, and multilateral cooperation. Later this year, Denmark will open a full embassy in Rwanda as part of a broader Africa engagement strategy. Similar moves are planned for Senegal and Tunisia. These efforts aim to rebuild relationships on the basis of equal partnership, moving away from the legacy of conditional aid and donor paternalism.
Africa Rejects Neo-Colonial Influence
In West Africa, resentment toward lingering colonial influence has fueled a wave of political change. In countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, citizens have protested French military presence and economic dominance. A series of military coups—often attributed to frustration with foreign interference and instigation from the West—have highlighted the urgency for a new political and economic order. Rather than condemning these shifts, many Africans view them as expressions of sovereignty and popular will. Calls for nationalizing resources, breaking away from exploitative foreign contracts, and rejecting neo-colonial frameworks are gaining traction across the continent, among the African diaspora, and within progressive circles in the East.
Resurgence of Pan-Africanism
A renewed spirit of Pan-Africanism is also guiding Africa’s geopolitical moves. Countries like Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania are asserting greater control over their natural resources and redefining terms of engagement with foreign partners. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), combined with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aims to consolidate Africa’s bargaining power and foster internal economic resilience. These efforts suggest that Africa is no longer waiting to be shaped by others—it is setting its own agenda.
Rwanda’s Pre-Eminence as a Pragmatic Diplomatic Actor
Rwanda has positioned itself as a key example of this pragmatic and self-assured approach. With a focus on domestic reforms, regional diplomacy, and digital innovation, the country has attracted investments and strategic partnerships from both East and West. The upcoming Danish embassy in Kigali signals growing recognition of Rwanda’s regional role. Nordic countries are keen to partner on trade, green energy, security, and inclusive governance—areas where Rwanda is actively positioning itself.
Principles, Not Polarity
Africa’s emerging strategy in this new world order is not about choosing sides between global powers—it’s about choosing from the banquet of offerings. The continent seeks relationships that offer mutual respect, fair terms of trade, development without coercion—the end of the big-brother syndrome—real opportunities for youth and innovation, and a voice on the global stage. This doesn’t mean that core values like democracy, human rights, and good governance are forgotten. These remain African aspirations, but they must be nurtured from within—not imposed from outside.
Thus, the rise of a multipolar world presents Africa with a rare opportunity to rewrite its place in global affairs, define the rules of engagement, and assert its development priorities. In this new configuration, Africa is no longer a spectator—it’s a player.
Dr. Haron Mwangi is a Scholar and Researcher at Maseno University, Kenya. He also serves as the Executive Director of Future Africa Concern Institute (FACI).
