Pan-Africanism of Statehood: Exploring Africa’s Complex Dynamics Towards Development and Integration

Pan-Africanism of Statehood: Exploring Africa’s Complex Dynamics Towards Development and Integration

Bisiriyu Abiodun Taleat , Olukayode Idris Lasisi , Muhlya Tshombe Lukamba & Lusanda Beauty Juta

Issue: Vol.6 No.5 Issue Article 16 pp. 589 – 603
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256516 | Published online 22nd April, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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ABSTRACT

Pan-Africanism’s ideology has long promoted African society’s unity, fostering cohesion among people living in various states across the continent. After gaining independence, African states have evolved from colonial structures into independent entities, resulting in a heightened manifestation of the “Pan-Africanism ideology” and a more profound understanding of statehood. This study examined the impact of the Pan-Africanist movement on present-day statehood in Africa by investigating socio-economic and political variables, its effect on post-colonial African society and its ongoing significance in the pursuit of regional integration. The study analysed several limitations that result from the continent’s historical colonial origins, political structures, and the tension between the autonomous states and the demand for a more cohesive union. A comparative analysis of the African integration agenda was conducted using a case study approach from several African institutions, including the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This analysis highlighted the cultural and social integration efforts of a shared regional identity among separate sovereign states. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the integration and growth of African nations by examining how the Pan-Africanism of statehood shapes the complex dynamics of the continent. The need arises for a fresh perspective on an integration that upholds the autonomy of each African state while safeguarding African society’s collective cohesion. Consequently, it asks for enhanced cooperation among policymakers and stakeholders engaged in Africa’s economic success.

Keywords: Pan-Africanism, Nationhood, Development, Statehood, Integration, Political System

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Bisiriyu Abiodun Taleat is a post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, School of Government Studies, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Public Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Olukayode Lasisi is a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria.

Muhlya Tshombe Lukamba is a lecturer in the Department of Public Management and Administration and Deputy-Director School of Government Studies, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.

Lusanda Beauty Juta is a lecturer and Head of the Department of Public Management and Economics, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Taleat, Bisiriyu Abiodun, Olukayode Idris Lasisi, Muhlya Tshombe Lukamba and Lusanda Beauty Juta. “Pan-Africanism of Statehood: Exploring Africa’s Complex Dynamics Towards Development and Integration,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.5 (2025): 589 – 603. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256516