Panel Discussions BAYMAU25

Panel Discussion 1 | April 24th | 7:00 – 8:30 PM (UTC+2)

     Location: University of Bayreuth, Room H24 (RWI Building)

From Dependency to Strategic Autonomy: Strengthening Africa’s Economic Sovereignty for Regional Integration and Collective Prosperity

The international geopolitical landscape is undergoing significant changes, creating an environment of uncertainty and increasing challenges for global actors. Major players such as the USA, Europe, and China are refocusing their geopolitical strategies around their economic interests.

In this evolving context, the question of Africa’s position in the global landscape becomes crucial. It is essential to examine how Africa can strengthen its role on the world stage. This panel will explore how intra-African transnational policies can contribute to consolidating the continent’s autonomy.

The discussion aims to assess how regional integration can help Africa reduce its external dependence and reinforce its economic sovereignty in this shifting global environment.

Panel Discussion 2 | April 25th | 7:00 to 8:30 PM (UTC+2)

Location: University of Bayreuth, Room H24 (RWI Building)

Forging Africa’s Path: Toward a Development Paradigm Aligned with Domestic Needs in Africa

Since gaining independence, African states have experienced both local dynamism and foreign intervention through what is commonly referred to as “development aid.” This aid is often accompanied by conditionalities intended to drive change by emphasizing specific aspects linked to these conditions.

However, since the 1980s, postcolonial and decolonial approaches have questioned the effectiveness of the development aid industry, particularly criticizing its top-down nature. Intellectuals and institutional actors on the continent, such as CODESRIA, have also sought to introduce an African paradigm into discussions on the continent’s development.

Beyond postcolonial critiques and the reassessment of external interventions, it is crucial for African states to rethink development policies in line with their own realities and priorities.

This panel aims to explore how African states can chart their own course, aligning with their domestic needs and priorities while navigating external dependencies (e.g., development cooperation), top-down approaches, and global influences. It brings together perspectives from academia, civil society, and politics, using postcolonial and decolonial frameworks, political science methods, and real-life examples from the political sphere.