This paper traces the evolution of Africa’s engagement from the pre-Cold
war era to date demonstrating the ways through which Africa has attempted to
gain a foothold in the international arena. The key question that we seek to
answer is whether Africa has the political clout to change the dynamics of
engagement in international institutions and whether that clout is enough in
terms of influence and policy outcomes. For Africa to become an important actor
in international politics, it must strategically use its numbers and the shared
history to overcome the challenges of lack of economic and military power which
forces it to enter into agreements with high and mid-level powers as well as
multinational corporations that undermines their capacity to influence affairs
at the global arena. This will most likely be achieved through pushing for the
reform of the international system and integrating their approach of relation
with external actors.
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