Can Africa Rise Without Redefining Power?
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The
Awakening
I grew up believing that power
looked a certain way: loud, commanding, male, and often inaccessible. In
school, in church, in society - power was hierarchy. It wore agbada, spoke with
finality, and rarely apologized.
But as Africa’s youth rose in
protests, startups, innovations, and even humor - from Ghana’s tech scenes to
Kenya’s Unga Revolution and Nigeria’s #EndSARS - I began to question:
Can Africa really rise if we don’t redefine power?
We speak of Africa rising,
but who is doing the lifting?
And more importantly, who is allowed to lead?
The
Weight of Legacy Systems
Africa’s colonial legacy gifted us
more than borders and bureaucracy - it handed us a broken definition of power.
One rooted in control, silence, and elite survival. Our post-colonial
governments inherited outdated systems of governance that were never designed
for inclusion, innovation, or agility.
Instead of restructuring, we
reinforced them.
Instead of reimagining, we replicated.
In many parts of Africa, governance
remains a performance of power, not a platform for progress. Titles are
hoarded. Youth are sidelined. Women are tolerated but rarely trusted with real
authority. Innovation is celebrated at tech expos, but crushed in civil
service.
We’re digitizing Africa but still
governing it with analog mindsets.
A
Continent of Young Visionaries, An Old Model of Power
Did you know?
·
Africa has the world’s youngest
population with a median age of 19.7 years, yet the average
African president is over 60.
·
60% of
Africa’s unemployed are youth,
despite their leadership in informal economies, tech, and activism.
·
Only 24% of parliamentary seats
across sub-Saharan Africa are held by women, even though women dominate
grassroots economies and community leadership.
There’s a generational mismatch
between those shaping Africa’s realities and those steering her policies.
How can a 19-year-old innovator in
Nairobi trust a 75-year-old politician in a disconnected suit to shape their
digital, globalized future?
Power
Must Become Purposeful
Redefining power in Africa isn’t
about an age war. It’s about moving from positional power to purpose-driven
influence.
Let’s look at:
- Wanjira Mathai
(Kenya): Carrying the torch of environmental leadership, not through
command, but collaboration.
- Fred Swaniker
(Ghana): Building future African leaders through the African Leadership
Group, not political parties.
- Bogolo Kenewendo
(Botswana): Appointed Minister of Trade at just 31 - a bold symbol of
trust in young leadership.
- Temie Giwa-Tubosun
(Nigeria): Founder of LifeBank, showing that saving lives is a higher form
of power than sitting in office.
These leaders influence systems,
not just occupy seats. They are strategic, not ceremonial. Visionary,
not venerated.
If
We Don’t Redefine Power...
We will keep exporting our
brightest.
We will keep funding our future through remittances.
We will keep revolting instead of reforming.
A generation that doesn’t feel seen
will not wait to be invited - it will either burn out or break out.
So,
What Does a New Power Model Look Like?
- Decentralized leadership: Where power flows across sectors and age groups, not
just from ‘top to bottom’.
- Digitally literate governance: Not just using tech, but thinking like it - agile,
inclusive, feedback-driven.
- Narrative-driven influence: Where storytelling, media, and personal brands play a
role in policy, innovation, and culture.
- Shared influence:
Where women, youth, creatives, and diasporans shape decision-making, not
just policy documents.
We need to redefine power as
capacity to serve, not capacity to suppress.
We must shift from ego systems to ecosystems.
A
Personal Challenge to Pan-African Professionals
As consultants, creatives,
entrepreneurs, civil servants, and community builders - we are not powerless.
Every article we write, every room we walk into, every standard we set, every
startup we launch, every girl we mentor - we are choosing a new definition of
power.
Let’s not wait for governments
alone.
Let’s challenge boards, restructure NGOs, rethink ministries, fund visionary
campaigns, and nurture leaders, not rulers.
If you have influence — use it.
If you have access — share it.
If you have truth — speak it.
If you have hope — don’t keep it to yourself.
The
Future Is Watching
“Leadership is not about a title or
a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration.” – Robin S. Sharma
Africa will not rise because we say
so.
She will rise because we build systems that allow her to stand.
And if we don’t redefine power now,
the next generation will do it without us.
💬 Let’s Talk.
What definition of power are you
operating with?
In your field, in your community, in your company - what old leadership model
still needs to be dismantled?
Drop a comment. Tag a visionary.
Share this with a leader.
Let’s build a new Africa - one bold conversation at a time.
#StrategicContent4Impact | #AfricaRising |
#FutureOfLeadership | #GovernanceReimagined | #PanAfricanVision
Futurist Focus | Strategic Content 4 Impact Series
By Mary Ewere — Founder, Strategic Content 4 Impact
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