Nigerian Professor Kayode Fayemi says African sovereignty must be redefined for the 21st century, stressing it should be measured by state capacity rather than political independence.
He was speaking at the Thabo Mbeki Annual Lecture in Cape Town on Saturday.
He argues that true sovereignty lies in a country’s ability to make independent governance and economic decisions.
Fayemi warns that without strong institutions, solidarity and leadership, Africa risks dependency and weakened global influence.
WATCH | Prof Kayode Fayemi says African sovereignty has evolved since the struggle for political independence, saying it should now be measured by state capacity and the ability to make independent governance choices. pic.twitter.com/U7XxvK8uxx
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 23, 2026
“In the 21st century, sovereignty is measured not merely by political symbols but by state capacity. True sovereignty is the ability of nations to make independent developmental and governance choices. It is the ability to determine economic and political priorities without external coercion. It is the capacity to feed one’s population, secure one’s borders, manage one’s natural resources responsibly, educate one’s citizens, Industrialize strategically and negotiate internationally.”
VIDEO: 16th Annual Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture
