At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order

The report describes Africa as a 'resilient but marginal player' in a global order where multilateralism is eroding and power is shifting toward a polycentric model. It identifies key barriers to African agency, including structural economic dependence, internal political fragmentation among 55 diverse states, and limited capacity at UN missions. The authors argue that Africa can increase its leverage by pooling resources through the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and by leveraging the 'Big 5' powers (Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Ethiopia) to unify continental positions. While the report notes the risks of great power competition—specifically the 'new Scramble for Africa'—it highlights that African states have successfully exercised agency in relations with China through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

• Africa is characterized as a 'resilient but marginal player' in the international system, often trapped in a cycle of 'extroversion' and structural dependence on external factors, primary commodities, and former colonial powers.
• The 'Big 5' African nations—Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Ethiopia—possess more global influence than the other 50 states on the continent combined, suggesting they should act as unifiers to coordinate coherent African views.
• African agency at the United Nations is hindered by the inability of member states to vote as a coherent group, with A3 members (non-permanent Security Council members) often demonstrating divided voting patterns due to national interests or pressure from Permanent Members (P5).
• The African Union (AU) has institutionalized responses to peace and security, but remains dysfunctional due to a lack of predictable funding, with external partners funding 72% of its regular budget and 95% of its peace support operations budget.
• African states have demonstrated meaningful agency in their relationship with China, influencing Chinese behavior on issues such as the ivory trade and integrating the AU's Agenda 2063 into the FOCAC VI Action Plan.
• Low levels of intra-continental trade, averaging 12–14% over the last two decades, have created an over-reliance on external aid and investment, which the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) aims to address.

APA

de Carvalho, G., Gruzd, S., & Mutangadura, C. (2019). At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ISS-Report.pdf

Chicago

de Carvalho, Gustavo, Steven Gruzd, and Chido Mutangadura. At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2019. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ISS-Report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=de Carvalho |first1=Gustavo |last2=Gruzd |first2=Steven |last3=Mutangadura |first3=Chido |title=At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=October 2019 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ISS-Report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{decarvalho2019table, author = {de Carvalho, Gustavo and Gruzd, Steven and Mutangadura, Chido}, title = {{At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2019}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ISS-Report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }