Reading · Women in Geopolitics

Africa’s future cannot simply be left to governments, institutions or external investors.

For Odile Bulten, the future of the continent must ultimately be shaped by Africans themselves—and particularly by the next generation, women and civil society.

“Africa’s future must be funded by Africans.”

Her contribution draws attention to the complex relationship between development, economic opportunity and security.

Across the continent, millions of young people face limited economic opportunities. Many leave rural areas and subsistence farming in search of work in cities, only to find unemployment and uncertainty. In some regions, this lack of opportunity can create conditions in which vulnerable young people become susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups.

From the Sahel to Mozambique, security challenges are increasingly becoming part of Africa’s development equation.

For Odile, Africa cannot discuss economic growth without also confronting the realities that threaten its progress. Conflict, insecurity and the continued exploitation of resources can undermine development gains and place further pressure on the continent’s ambitions for sustainable development.

But her message is not one of despair.

It is a call for greater responsibility, participation and accountability.

While African institutions such as the African Union and regional bodies have an important role to play in bringing African voices together, Odile believes that change cannot be left to institutions alone.

Citizens must also play their part.

Young people, women, civil society and communities must actively engage, hold leaders accountable and push for policies that respond to Africa’s realities and aspirations.

As she reflects on the continent’s long-term vision, her focus is firmly on the next generation.

Africa’s future, she reminds us, will not be implemented by today’s leaders alone.

It will be carried forward by young people. By women building businesses. By civil society demanding greater social justice. By citizens who refuse to remain spectators in decisions that shape their future.

“We need to focus on the next generation.”

For Odile, Africa’s young people already understand what is at stake.

They are increasingly aware of the challenges facing the continent and are demanding greater accountability, opportunity and an end to the continued pillaging of Africa’s resources.

The challenge for today’s generation is therefore not simply to speak about young people.

It is to work with them.

And to ensure that women, youth and citizens are not merely beneficiaries of Africa’s development agenda—but active participants in shaping it.

Because Africa’s future will not be secured by vision alone.

It will require accountability, participation, security and a new generation prepared to take ownership of the continent’s future.

The Women in Geopolitics Debate Series is a high-level thought-leadership platform dedicated to amplifying African voices, particularly women’s voices, in conversations on geopolitics, global affairs, governance, leadership and development.

Through dialogue with women leaders, diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, academics and experts from across Africa and beyond, the programme is building a growing archive of African women’s perspectives on the issues shaping our continent and our world.

We invite you to visit the Women in Geopolitics Knowledge Hub on YouTube, explore previous conversations and subscribe as we unveil a new voice every day throughout August.

Madelein Mkunu is the President of Leading Women of Africa (LWA), a Pan-African social enterprise promoting women's leadership in economic development, and the founder of Beyond Boundaries, a global content and advocacy platform amplifying African women’s voices in policy, peacebuilding, and development. A bilingual English–French strategist and accomplished public speaker, she brings over 20 years of experience in gender mainstreaming, inclusive governance, and stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally. She holds an MBA and a Master’s in Management from IEDC-Bled School of Management (Slovenia), a Postgraduate Degree in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), a Certificate in Leadership from the Dale Carnegie Institute, and is an alumna of Michigan State University’s Women Empowerment Programme. With a background in accounting and a passion for transformative change, Madelein is a trusted advisor to institutions seeking Africa-rooted development solutions.

Odile Bulten - Africa’s Future Must Be Owned, Protected and Driven by Its People

Comments