Decades of embracing neoliberal electricity policies have left Africa, one of the world’s most resource rich regions, with the lowest energy consumption rates per capita. Despite this, African states face severe pressure to create urgent and necessary infrastructure projects in line with a new Western consensus on approaches to climate finance.
Joanita Najjuko and Crystal Simeoni argue for greater inclusion of the perspectives of women and girls as well as better recognition of their needs in macro-level economic decision-making. They demand feminist economic justice, show how unpaid care work is central to our economies and encourage resistance against the co-option of gender-based initiatives by neoliberalism.
Efemia Chela delves into lesser-known African LGBTQ+ histories and the colonial origins of transphobic and homophobic legislation across the continent. She highlights vital opportunities for solidarity between people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to fight against economic misery, social marginalisation and political repression experienced by all.
Professor Issa G. Shivji explores the process of worldwide capitalist accumulation across several centuries alongside the emergence of grand narratives of nationalism and Pan-Africanism. By highlighting ideologies of resistance which grapple with evolving forms of domination and imperialism, Shivji illuminates the requirements for a new Pan-Africanism that would serve people’s struggles today.