Funding African Researchers: A Path to Decolonizing Knowledge of Africa's Past

I was scrolling through Twitter the other day when I came across a post by Michela Wrong, on her visit to Mobutu Sese Seko's grave in Rabat, Morocco. Her trip was connected to the book she released a few years ago, "In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo," a detailed account of the rise and fall of Mobutu’s dictatorial regime. Intrigued, I scoured my bookshelves and checked online bookstores in Nigeria. It was then that a realization hit me: many of the highly regarded books on African history were written by Europeans.

The history of Africa has often been told through a lens that is not its own. From colonial times to the present, much of the scholarship on Africa whether it be about its leaders, cities, or companies has been shaped by European authors. This dominance of non-African narratives has led to a Eurocentric portrayal of the continent's past, often overlooking or misrepresenting the complexities of African societies.

One of the major reasons for this is the lack of funding available to African researchers, limiting their ability to undertake large-scale historical projects or contribute to shaping the narrative.

However, the financial barrier is only part of the problem. The issue extends to how the global academic community values certain perspectives and the historical interest that has often placed European voices at the center of African historiography. If African researchers are given better funding opportunities, it would not only help shift these imbalances but also serve as a key driver in the decolonization of knowledge related to Africa’s past.

Decoloniality: A Personal Journey

The first time I encountered the concept of decoloniality was during my master's program at the Ibadan School of History, University of Ibadan. It was in a course on African studies, by Professor Rasheed Olaniyi who with a mix of passion and frustration, challenged us to rethink the way we view African history. "We are still narrating our story through a foreign lens," he lamented, leaning over his podium, his voice unwavering. I sat there, taking notes, but also reflecting on how true this was. We studied how colonization wasn't just a political or economic conquest it was an intellectual one too.

Decoloniality, as I learned, is not just about removing the physical traces of colonization; it is about dismantling the structures of thought that have made it normal for Africa's history to be told by outsiders. I began to realize that the materials we often refer to in our studies—books, journals, even archives are largely influenced by colonial narratives or shaped by the Western gaze. This intellectual dominance continues to shape how African societies are perceived today. It became clear to me that this course was not just an academic requirement; it was a call to action.

The discussions we had in that classroom opened my eyes to the deeper implications of Eurocentric knowledge systems that pervade not only historical studies but our everyday understanding of Africa. I began to question the sources, the frameworks, and the motivations behind many of the works I had relied on over the years. Decoloniality was no longer just a theory for me it became a personal mission.

Examples of African History Written by European Authors

Many of the most well-known books about Africa are written by Europeans, often reinforcing the dominant Eurocentric narrative. Some of these books include:

• "The Fate of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence" by Martin Meredith (2005)
• "King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa" by Adam Hochschild (1998)
• "Africa: A Biography of the Continent" by John Reader (1997)
• The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavour" by Martin Meredith (2014)?
• A Fistful of Shells: West Africa from the Rise of the Slave Trade to the Age of Revolution by Toby Green (2019)

While these works are insightful and informative, they are largely framed through Western perspectives, often lacking the nuanced understanding that could be brought by African scholars with lived experiences and cultural insights. The dominance of such works highlights the urgent need for more African voices to contribute to the body of knowledge about the continent.

The Impact of Limited Funding for African Researchers

As part of the decolonization of knowledge, it is imperative that African history and scholarship be primarily funded by African governments, organizations, and individuals. True intellectual independence cannot be achieved if the financial backing for African research continues to come predominantly from external sources. By investing in their own scholars, African countries can reclaim their narratives and ensure that historical research reflects the complexities and richness of the continent's experiences. This commitment would also foster the development of homegrown academic institutions that can rival global counterparts, making Africa a hub for its own knowledge production.

African governments, in particular, have a responsibility to prioritize funding for historical research and education as part of national development. Local organizations and philanthropists can also play a pivotal role by establishing grants, scholarships, and research funds aimed at supporting African scholars. Only by ensuring that Africans control the financial power behind their own scholarship can we dismantle the entrenched Eurocentric dominance in African historiography and produce a more balanced, nuanced understanding of the continent’s past.

Here comes in the table shakers

I’ve always been a dedicated reader of The Republic, a platform that doesn’t just report on Nigeria but unearths the layers of African identity with audacity and nuance. Meanwhile, my work with Archivi.ng allows me to be part of an equally transformative mission to preserve African history.

The Republic is more than just a publication; it’s a cultural battleground where African narratives are reclaimed and redefined. The way they approach socio-political commentary, unapologetically Nigerian and fiercely grounded in African realities, is revolutionary. They don’t soften their edges for Western readers or tweak their messages to fit foreign agendas. Instead, The Republic amplifies voices that have been historically silenced, giving Africans the space to speak about politics, history, and culture on their terms. Every article, every commentary is a bold assertion: the African story will no longer be told through the eyes of outsiders.

On the other hand, Archivi.ng, the world I’ve come to know deeply takes this mission a step further by digging into the very archives that house Nigeria’s untold stories. We’re talking about old Nigerian newspapers valuable, forgotten gems being resurrected through digitization. These papers, often neglected and decaying, contain the heartbeat of Nigerian history. From colonial resistance to the fight for independence, and the everyday struggles of a changing society, these records are vital. But what’s even more groundbreaking is how Archivi.ng makes this history accessible to all, smashing down barriers that once kept these stories locked away in colonial vaults or dusty Nigerian storerooms. Now, anyone whether in Lagos, London Los Angeles, Lahore or La Paz can dive into Nigeria’s past with a few clicks.

What The Republic and Archivi.ng are doing is nothing short of transformative. They’re not just creating content or preserving history; they’re reshaping how African knowledge is produced, shared, and consumed. By putting African narratives back into African hands, these platforms are leading the charge in the decolonization of knowledge. And trust me, the ripple effects are only just beginning.

Conclusively, decolonizing African history hinges on decolonizing the funding that supports it. For too long, African narratives have been shaped by foreign voices, but by investing in African scholars and institutions, we can reclaim our history with integrity and authenticity. This is not merely a call to rewrite history but a bold demand for ownership, agency, and the dignity of self-representation. African governments, organizations, and individuals must prioritize funding for their own scholars to break free from the grip of Eurocentric narratives. Only by ensuring that African history is funded by Africans can we truly take control of our past and shape our future on our own terms, for ourselves and for the world.