The Paradox of Africa+1 Summits: A Clash of Worldviews and Missed Opportunities

The phenomenon of Africa+1 summits has enveloped the continent's political climate, emulating the same fervor once aptly satirized in Fela Kuti's 1983 song "Perambulator." These summits, set against the backdrop of Western-turned-Eastern capitals, carve out a heavy criticism of African leaders engaged in a cycle that remains delightfully performative yet disturbingly static.

These international gatherings offer a platform filled with hopeful rhetoric: "Africa is rising," "Africa is ready for business," or "Stop disrespecting Africa." But beneath the gleam of media flashes and statements of intent, a more in-depth picture emerges, marked by geopolitical chess games played at Africa's expense.

While some have advocated for the benefits of such convocations—angling for increased investment and leveraging superpower rivalries—the lion's share of critique points toward a patronizing scramble for Africa. The US, China, Russia, and other global actors have made their presence felt across the African landscape, with military bases, embassies, and bilateral trade agreements standing as monuments to external interests that often eclipse regional empowerment.

The recent photo-capturing moment of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with Kenyan President William Ruto at the G20 Investment Summit in Berlin offers a tangible representation of this narrative. On the surface, such images portray partnership and progress, but in essence, they signify validation for the hosts, showcasing their ability to corral Africa's leaders under one ceremonial roof.

This pattern persists despite the reality that many of these summits fail to create meaningful advancements or align with Africa's own continental trade ambitions. To some, they are but superficial boosts to the hosting nation's diplomacy.

Crucially, this mode of conduct also reflects a concerning psychological perspective. It embodies a mindset that paradoxically adopts inferiority in the face of orchestrated partnership talks. The software of the summits—the ethos and substance—is often lost in the hardware—the grandiose declarations and lofty commitments. It points to a misalignment and superficiality that would have Julius Nyerere, the late Tanzanian leader, recall his words of caution regarding "involvement without understanding."

Yet the question remains as to when African leaders will pivot from the theatrics of these summits toward serious, collective strategy building. The continent’s future should be underpinned by pan-African strategies that place dignity and proactive engagement at their core. The fixation on these summits should be replaced with a dedication to implementing continental development plans.

A united front, prioritizing regional summits over these grand foreign stages, could shift the narrative, moving African countries from the perambulation condemned by Fela Kuti's lyrics to a journey of internal consolidation and strength-building.

The capacity to drive the continent's developmental narrative must emerge from within, anchored in a holistic, African-centered worldview. Effective strategies and frameworks must prevail over international soirees that, while entertaining, offer little substance. Africa’s leaders must rise beyond symbolic summits, embrace the calls of the African Union, and pursue tangible progress over perambulation – a transformation from inactive participation to active realization of pan-African ambitions.