African Leaders Challenging Narratives on the Global Stage
Africa No Filter
An advocacy organisation shifting stereotypical narratives about Africa through storytelling.
If recent global events are anything to go by, African leaders are being?unabashedly vocal about their demands?and we love to see it! Political and financial leaders from across the continent are joining voices to say one thing – Africa must be partnered with, not saved – and we think it is high time. ?
Before now, global events including the famous 1985 Live Aid concert which raised famine relief for Ethiopia have successfully brought the world’s attention to Africa, but with a huge downside. The way Africa’s stories have been told tends to put disproportionate focus on its challenges and downplay its progress. This skewed narrative persistently paints an inaccurate picture of Africa, fostering the misguided belief that the continent is broken, dependent, and lacks agency to create the change it needs.?
Well, not anymore say African leaders. “We don’t want to hear that they are helping us. We are tired of that,” says WTO DG, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at #UnstoppableAfrica 2023, addressing the attitude of the Global North towards Africa. At the same GABI event, African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina tells the world about Africa “If you are going to develop, you need to develop with pride”.
Similarly at the recently concluded UNGA, Presidents of Seychelles, Namibia, and Ghana, among several others took a bold stand to demand collaboration with Africa to solve global issues including sustainable development, global trust and solidarity, energy and climate action, and inclusive finance. ?
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Africa has the largest bloc of countries at the UN making it a force to be reckoned with in the wake of growing geopolitical competition. Their message is clear: Africa is not a problem to be avoided or fixed, but a global power to be partnered with. ?
As an advocate for #BetterRepresentation, Africa No Filter is proud to see Africa’s leaders confront the stereotypical narratives that dim our light as a continent. Africa has the power to address its challenges and contribute to global prosperity and the stories told about it need to show just that. We look forward to seeing more of this.