By Desmond Davies
London, March 3, GNA – The King’s College Africa Week 2026 is focusing on how African countries can strengthen their capacity to manage and benefit from their natural resources in a changing global environment.
The event, hosted by the African Leadership Centre (ALC) and the Africa Research Group at King’s College London, is on the theme: “Resourcing African Agency: Priorities, Innovation and Preparedness in a Multipolar World.”
Activities began on Monday with the African Public Square (APS), an open debate platform.
The APS featured a keynote address by Ms Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa, followed by a public debate involving academics, diplomats and policy practitioners.
The debate was titled: “How Should the Resourcing of African Agency Be Negotiated?”
Africa holds significant deposits of critical minerals and other natural resources that are central to global industrial development.
However, much of the extraction has historically involved limited local processing and value addition.
Analysts say maximising benefits will require strengthened regulatory frameworks, transparent contracting, investment in local processing and manufacturing, and the use of resource revenues to support infrastructure, education and industrialisation.
Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President (International, Education and Service) at King’s College London, said the APS would provide an opportunity to reflect on African agency in the current global context.
The APS debate will examine issues including the impact of changes in international development assistance and evolving global partnerships on Africa’s development priorities.
Professor Medhane Tadesse, a Visiting Professor at the African Leadership Centre, described the African Public Square as a high-level continental forum that brings together intellectual leadership and different generations.
He said the debate would focus on how the resourcing of African agency could be negotiated and would include keynote speeches and panel discussions.
According to the organisers, discussions during the week will consider institutional coordination, regional integration and mechanisms for responding to conflict and insecurity.
Mr Max Boqwana, Chief Executive Officer of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, said the conference would address questions relating to Africa’s capacity to develop solutions to its challenges and the resources required to sustain that effort.
A series of events throughout the week will provide a platform to examine the material, human and institutional requirements for Africa to operate effectively within an evolving global order.
The annual event celebrates research, education, and outreach, platforming African scholars and focusing on topics like African agency, peace, and development in a multipolar world.
The week also provides a platform for showcasing collaborative research, highlighting the university’s internationalisation strategy, and facilitating engagement between students, staff, and international partners.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage