By: James Kamara-Manneh
The year 2025 marks 80 years since the founding of the United Nations. Yet, despite decades of promises, Africa still struggles with underrepresentation in the very institutions that make global decisions shaping its destiny. From the Security Council to the international financial architecture, Africa’s voice has too often been side-lined.
It is against this backdrop that China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) emerges not as another lofty slogan, but as a clear roadmap to reform the global system and make it more just, inclusive, and effective. For Africa, the GGI could not come at a better time.
A Seat at the Global Table
At the core of the GGI is the principle of sovereign equality. This simple yet powerful idea that all nations, regardless of size or wealth, must have an equal say is precisely what Africa has been advocating for in global forums. The push for Security Council reform, calls for fairer trade terms, and demands for climate justice are all grounded in this principle. If realized, the GGI would give Africa the recognition it deserves in shaping the rules of the game.
Ending Double Standards
The GGI also champions the international rule of law, rejecting the misuse of unilateral sanctions and the selective application of international rules. For many African countries that have borne the brunt of such practices, this stance resonates deeply. A world where the law applies equally to all where no nation can bend the rules at will; would provide a fairer platform for Africa’s growth and sovereignty.
Multilateralism, Not Exclusion
Africa’s strength has always been in collective action, embodied by the African Union and regional economic communities. The GGI’s insistence on multilateralism with the United Nations at its core aligns seamlessly with Africa’s aspirations. By rejecting exclusive blocs and discriminatory arrangements, the initiative creates space for Africa to act as a united voice in global governance rather than a fragmented set of players.
People at the Centre
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the GGI is its people-centered approach. Africa’s development challenges from poverty and unemployment to climate change and digital inequality cannot be solved by rhetoric alone. The GGI emphasizes tangible results: green technology for climate resilience, digital infrastructure to bridge the connectivity gap, health cooperation to strengthen public systems, and reforms to the international financial system that ease Africa’s debt burden. These are real, measurable outcomes that could transform lives across the continent.
Africa’s Moment of Choice
The GGI is not about overturning the existing order but about making it work better for all especially developing nations. For Africa, this represents a rare window of opportunity. By embracing China’s initiative, Africa can amplify its role in shaping new governance frameworks on artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, and other emerging frontiers.
The world is changing fast. Power is shifting, technologies are evolving, and crises from climate shocks to pandemics are demanding collective solutions. Africa cannot afford to remain a passive observer. The Global Governance Initiative offers the continent a platform to shape, not just receive, the benefits of global reform.
Conclusion: A Partnership for the Future
China’s Global Governance Initiative is more than a diplomatic proposal it is an invitation. An invitation for Africa to seize its rightful place in the global order. An invitation to move from the margins to the centre of decision-making. And an invitation to work alongside China and other partners in building a fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.
For Africa, the choice is clear. The time has come to engage boldly, speak collectively, and ensure that the GGI delivers not just promises but progress.
(Note: This writer is an all-rounder journalist who have worked as a former Newspaper Editor, a Digital News Editor for Sierra loaded and presently working as Radio producer)
