African leaders and movements are pushing back against European elite agendas through a variety of strategies, from economic and political initiatives to grassroots movements.

The core of this pushback is a rejection of neocolonialism—the idea that European powers maintain control over Africa through indirect means after the end of formal colonial rule.

Pan-Africanism and Political Pushback

The pushback against European influence is rooted in Pan-Africanism, a movement that advocates for the political and economic unity of Africa to foster collective self-reliance and resist external domination. This ideology, championed by independence-era leaders like Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere, has seen a resurgence in recent years.

• The African Union's Role: The African Union (AU) is increasingly asserting its independence on the global stage. It has developed its own continental strategies, such as Agenda 2063, which is a blueprint for a prosperous and united Africa. African leaders are using this framework to set their own development priorities, pushing back against European-led initiatives that they see as being too focused on European interests. The AU has also taken a more assertive stance on security, often seeking "African-led solutions to African problems" and pushing for the withdrawal of foreign military forces.

• Rejection of European Military Presence: A significant political pushback is the growing demand for the withdrawal of European military forces, particularly French troops from the Sahel. This has been most visible in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where public protests and military governments have called for the end of European military cooperation. This is not just a rejection of French influence but a broader statement of sovereignty, as these nations turn to other partners, including Russia, for security assistance. This shift demonstrates a strategic diversification of alliances to avoid over-reliance on any single foreign power.

Economic Pushback and Self-Reliance

African leaders are also using economic initiatives to reduce their dependence on European trade and finance. They are challenging a system that has long favored the export of raw materials and the import of European finished goods.

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): The AfCFTA is arguably the most significant economic pushback against European agendas. By creating a single market of 1.3 billion people, the AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade, promote industrialization, and build regional supply chains. The goal is to reduce Africa's reliance on external markets and make the continent a more formidable negotiating partner in future trade deals with Europe and other global powers.

• Demands for Debt Relief and Fair Finance: African leaders are consistently demanding comprehensive debt relief from European financial institutions. They argue that much of the continent's debt is a legacy of colonial-era borrowing or has been incurred through exploitative lending practices. They are also pushing for the reform of international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank to give African nations more say in how global financial systems are run.

• Diversifying Economic Partnerships: African nations are actively seeking new economic partners, most notably China, whose "no-strings-attached" investment model and willingness to build large-scale infrastructure projects have been attractive. While this doesn't eliminate all forms of external influence, it gives African leaders more leverage in their negotiations with Europe by demonstrating that they have other options.

Grassroots and Civil Society Movements

Beyond high-level political and economic strategies, pushback against European agendas is also happening at the grassroots level through civil society and youth movements.

• Youth Activism: Young people across the continent, particularly in Francophone Africa, are leading movements that challenge a range of issues, from political corruption and poor governance to the continued French military and economic presence. Social media and digital platforms have given these movements a powerful voice, enabling them to mobilize and raise awareness about issues of sovereignty and neocolonialism.

• The Struggle for Cultural and Intellectual Sovereignty: There is a growing movement to decolonize education, media, and cultural institutions. African intellectuals and artists are pushing for the return of African artifacts held in European museums and are demanding that African history and knowledge systems be centered in education. This cultural pushback aims to dismantle the soft power tools used by European elites and foster a sense of intellectual and cultural self-reliance.