A new world order is emerging. The United States is no longer the only force that shapes global events. Countries such as China, Russia, India and the Gulf countries are becoming increasingly influential.
This shift has strengthened global competition and made international cooperation even more difficult. In today's world, power, not rules, is a key factor in world issues.
What is Africa's role? Based on our research, we argue that the continent should adopt a practical strategy that involves two elements. First, identify issues suitable for collective action, such as climate diplomacy and UN Security Council seats. Second, we recognize those who need regional or domestic policies, such as local conflicts and trade agreements.
We propose this approach because Africa is not a single state or supranational entity. Therefore, grand strategies are unrealistic. Instead, our suggestion accepts that some issues are best addressed collectively, while others may require local or unilateral action.
New doctrines are needed
Countries were able to collectively adopt things like “doctrines,” such as the Lagos Plan of Action (1980-2000). The plan outlines the ambitious goal of enhancing Africa's independence through development and economic integration. The 1973 Monrovia Declaration also highlights the need for collective independence. This was Africa's contribution to the call for a new international economic order at the end of World War II. These documents were developed at the time to reflect the world, but could serve as inspiration for new strategies that reflect the emerging new world order.
The Monroe and Truman doctrine outlined how the United States can ensure global control. Both highlight the power of well-defined principles in guiding strategies.
African countries have been able to adopt new doctrines about how the continent can strengthen its position in the emerging world order. This doctrine will present opportunities for African countries to assess the opportunities and limitations of a new world order and develop clear and consistent strategies for effective engagement. We also need to appreciate the difficulty of coordinating the diverse countries of the continent. This is possible by building on the spirit and legacy of Lagos and Monrovia's strategy.
Read more: African Union's New Chair has a long list of tough tasks – what you need to accomplish them
Earthquake changes
Security and economics have an impact on geopolitics, geoeconomics is reconstructing Africa.
Concerns have been raised about the possibility of the US administration's termination of the growth and opportunity law in Africa. The law gives African countries priority access to the US market.
African countries established the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in 2018, creating a common market for the continent, reducing their dependence on the global economic system.
However, Africa's ambitious trade plans face threats from global change and internal dynamics. For example, the Trump administration has denounced high tariffs on almost all trading partners, including African countries. Lesotho received the highest tariff (50%) among all US trading partners. This could affect priority access contracts such as Africa's growth and opportunity laws.
Other major economies, such as the EU and China, are exploring opportunities to enter into bilateral trade deals with African countries. These developments can undermine the goal of creating an exclusive continental market.
The internal dynamics within the continent are also not stable. Commentators denounced regional instability when Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left the economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Sahel alliance in 2024. However, I argue that ECOWAS's division is a warning about the limitations of integration.
The fact that Sahel's alliances are based on security agreements rather than economic integration highlights the extreme risks that can reconstruct continental unity. In a vulnerable state, economic integration requires political stability. Security, not economics, is a major policy concern for such states.
Climate diplomacy presents similar challenges. African countries that are least contributing to global climate change are under pressure to take on greater responsibility with little international support. But they continue to suffer from the effects of that worsening. At the same time, African countries have little international support needed to help them deal with climate action. Such support includes climate funding, technology transfer and capacity building.
African policymakers responded creatively by making national climate pledges under the national climate contract, subject to international support in finance, technology transfer and capacity building. He also says initiatives to address climate change should also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.
As discussed in a recently published book, this approach ensures that Africa can pursue sustainable development while contributing to global climate initiatives. It also coincides with the continent's longstanding emphasis on the developmental aspects of environmental politics.
Solution
Our proposal is a simple and practical concept. African countries need to cooperate with some issues and act alone on others.
Unlike the general African position adopted through the African Union, this approach is clearly laid out when cooperation is best and the country should follow its own path. When consensus is not achievable, it provides a clear set of guided principles, including flexibility in cooperation and the need for unilateral action. This will serve as a blueprint for future policy and help coordinate Africa's diplomacy.
This has several advantages. It is simple and simple, recognises national differences while promoting cooperation and strengthens Africa's voice and role at the global stage.
The big challenge is to agree with all countries on how to balance the balance between consensus and flexibility of unilateral action by African countries.
However, this strategy acknowledges the need for flexibility to balance Africa's ambitions to enhance global leadership. This must also be within the limits set by global and national realities.
Read more: The African Union is weak because its members want its members to do so – experts seek action against its power
I'm looking forward to it
As the world adapts to a new global order where multilateralism declines and power politics dominates, Africa can take advantage of opportunities to shape global issues and secure collective policy goals. This can be done from the G20 seat.
But it requires a clear and consistent strategy.
