Reflecting on Africa’s contemporary challenges and a call for rebuilding with vision, by Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
Africa stands today at an important crossroads, where the echoes of a complicated history meet the urgent needs of the present and the quiet hope for a better future. From the wide plains of the Sahel to the busy cities of Zaria, Kano, Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Banjul, and Tripoli, the steady rhythm of “ɗum ɗumɗum,” the heartbeat-like beat of Fulfulde drums, continues to remind us of strength and hope. Even during hard times and silence, there is a power that cannot be ignored.
Yet the continent carries heavy burdens. Economies are weak, currencies are unstable, and public institutions often fail to keep the promises made to their people. Nigeria’s naira, which is becoming more and more unstable, reflects the tiredness of the market woman whose earnings get smaller every day. The CFA franc, still connected to French money policies, reminds many of old colonial ties that limit Africa’s control over its own economy. Rising prices reduce people’s living standards, and the growing gap between government plans and what people actually experience weakens trust in leaders.
These economic problems, although serious, are only the surface of deeper problems. They show a complicated mix of inherited problems, the effects of colonial history, and poor management inside countries. The Hausa saying, Ruwa baya tsami da gangan, sai in hannu ya taba, meaning “water does not sour by itself but because of the hand that spoils it,” fits this well. Africa’s current struggles cannot be blamed only on outside forces or past wrongs. Much of the continent’s problems come from local weaknesses: governments damaged by corruption, poor use of rich natural resources, and many talented people leaving the continent not to help foreign powers but to survive.
The important question Africans face today is not just why things have gone wrong but what will be done about it. Will failure stop us completely or become a step forward? The upcoming 2027 elections in Nigeria are more than a political contest; they are a serious test of the country’s spirit. Elections are not a cure-all, but they give people a chance to demand leaders who have real vision, not just personal ambition or favouritism. If this chance is taken, it could break the old patterns of identity politics and division. As the Fulani say, Nda ngaari, nde waawi – if there is a road, there is a way. The journey to change Africa is not easy or fast, but it is there, lit by the power of ambition.
Real change needs more than new leaders. It requires a fresh way of thinking about Africa’s development. Currency reform is important but not enough on its own. A stable economy needs strong, clear institutions, truly independent central banks, and long-term investment in areas that build self-reliance. Africa must focus on building its people by supporting education that encourages creativity instead of just memorising, healthcare that cares rather than breaks down, and industries that make products instead of relying on imports.
At the centre of this change are Africa’s young people. Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with over sixty per cent of its people under twenty-five years old. Many face unemployment, are left out of politics, or are excluded from decisions that affect their lives. Still, the energy of young Africans is strong. It can be seen in the smart ideas of tech entrepreneurs in Lagos, the voices of poets in Nairobi, and the hard work of community leaders in Ouagadougou. Their strength can turn the steady “ɗum ɗumɗum” of endurance into a powerful call for renewal.
But this will only happen if young people do more than protest; they must offer solutions. The power to shape Africa’s future lies not just on the streets but in ideas, teamwork, and vision. Young people must see themselves not as victims of a broken system but as builders of a new one.
READ ALSO: When silence bleeds: memory, power, and the martyrs of Zaria 25 July 2014, by Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
We must change how we think about failure. It should not be the end but a sign of possibility. Every problem, from weak currencies to broken infrastructure, contains the chance for change if we choose to learn, adapt, and rebuild. The 2027 elections might be a first step in this. They are not perfect but offer a time for people to think and change direction. They ask if we can be more than we have been before.
From a sociological view, Africa’s problems and hopes can be understood by the idea of structural functionalism. This theory says that all parts of society depend on each other and must work well to keep society stable. When institutions fail, like in government or economic management, society becomes unbalanced, which harms people’s lives. Fixing this needs big changes and stronger social systems.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Next Political Reckoning: Between power and possibility, by Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
From a psychological view, the idea of collective efficacy is important. This means the belief of a community that it can work together to reach shared goals. Helping Africa’s youth and people build this belief is key to lasting social and political action.
In international relations, constructivism is a helpful idea. It says that how countries act depends on social interactions, shared ideas, and norms, not just money or military power. Africa’s place in the world depends not only on its resources but also on how it is seen by itself and others. Changing Africa’s future means changing these stories, claiming independence, building regional unity, and creating development plans based on African values and hopes.
READ ALSO: Blasphemy Allegations in Kano: A test of principle or a display of hypocrisy?, by Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
In conclusion, Africa’s future is not fixed or certain. It depends on the choices we make, based on ambition with wisdom, unity through shared purpose, and justice with strong effort. Failure should not be the end but a step towards true progress.
As the Hausa saying goes, Komai nisan jifa, ƙasa zai dawo – no matter how far a stone is thrown, it will return to the ground. Like this, Africa’s dreams, even if delayed, can still grow strong if cared for with patience and effort.
The road ahead is hard, but with ambition as our guide and unity as our base, Africa can turn failure into a start for a bright future.
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