By Continental Pot Afrika

Speakers:

Charles Sekwalor: Founder and CEO of Movemeback and The Continent Group              

Francis Ahovi: Strategic Security and Policy Analyst in Africa

Date:

April 18, 2024

Overview:

The Continental Pot Afrika launch, held on April 18, 2024, marked a unique moment in Africa’s strategic and security research landscape. The launch event which also initiated Continental Pot Afrika’s Continental Audit dialogue series attracted a diverse group of participants, including researchers, development practitioners, security experts, and young professionals among others from across Africa and beyond.

The primary goal of the launch was to introduce Continental Pot Afrika’s vision and mission while exploring the future of Africa’s strategic agenda. Continental Pot Afrika aspires “to be a world leader in Africa-centred insights, offering authentic, live, and accurate data and intelligence on Africa.” Our mission is “to deliver localised and impactful research on Africa to help decision-makers chart informed paths for the continent’s future.”

The launch event featured distinguished speakers, Charles Sekwalor, Founder and CEO of Movemeback and The Continent Group, and Francis Ahovi, an expert in strategic security and policy analysis in Africa. Both contributed to stimulating and insightful discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and Africa’s evolving strategic agenda.

Key Discussions

Innovation & Technology: A New African Agenda

Charles Sekwalor emphasised the critical role of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa’s future. He explored the challenges Africa faces in technology adoption, particularly the misalignment of education systems with modern technological trends and the existing digital gaps. He proposed an African Strategic Agenda focused on Four Pillars:

• Africa taking a global leadership role: Africa must assert itself on the world stage.
• Building capacity among African people: Africa must invest strategically in its people, especially young people, to equip them with skills for future challenges.
• Preservation of history and heritage: Valuing African history, culture, and identity.
• Large-scale Entrepreneurship: Encouraging a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at scale across the continent.

Sekwalor advocated for a new socioeconomic reality where collaboration and excellence drive Africa forward, ensuring that every African child has the right to pursue their purpose with a deep sense of pride in their heritage.

Constitutionalism, Peace, and Security: The Path to Sustainable Development

Francis Ahovi focused on the role of constitutionalism and political leadership in shaping Africa’s future. He stressed that Africa’s development is contingent on good leadership, noting, 

“No matter how skilful we are, if the right people are not in place, we will not develop.”

— Francis Ahovi, 2024

Ahovi also highlighted the African Union’s role in promoting continental peace and security and democratisation, which are foundational to achieving socioeconomic and political transformation.

Decolonising African Progress

Both speakers emphasised the need for Africa to take ownership of its development, moving beyond the constraints of historical and colonial legacies. Grassroots-level action and inclusive and community-oriented participation were seen as vital in this regard.

Engagement and Feedback

The event was highly interactive, with participants engaging in discussions on topics like innovation, technology adoption, and Africa’s global leadership potential. Many expressed concerns about Africa’s slow pace in aligning its educational systems with technological advancements, which they viewed as a critical hurdle in advancing the continent’s agenda.

Strategic Insights

• Pursuing Global Leadership: Africa needs to position itself on the global stage, drawing from its unique strengths while embracing innovation.
• Capacity Building: To support its strategic agenda, Africa must invest in the skills of its people.
• Constitutionalism, Democracy and Leadership: Good governance, peace, and security remain crucial to sustaining any long-term development.
• Entrepreneurship at Scale: Encouraging entrepreneurship across the continent will spur economic growth and innovation.

Conclusion

The launch of Continental Pot Afrika set a robust foundation for future research and policy discussions on Africa’s strategic and security challenges. The thought leadership think tank platform provided by Continental Pot Afrika is poised to become essential in shaping Africa’s future narrative, offering a space for African voices to define their own development pathways.

The event closed with a call to action for ongoing collaboration, urging stakeholders to support Continental Pot Afrika’s initiatives in driving sustainable growth and reclaiming Africa’s narrative in the global space.