In the coming decades, Africa will become a pivotal player in international affairs. A confluence of the continent’s abundance of strategic resources, favourable demographics and attractive growth prospects may give its leaders leverage in modern affairs. The US-China rivalry and push for net-zero emissions will be key catalysts for transforming Africa into a geopolitical fulcrum. Furthermore, the maturation of global standards for democracy and sovereignty gives African countries institutional support to deter asymmetrical, 19th-century-level plundering of its resources. While major obstacles of poverty, corruption and intra-regional conflicts are formidable, the conditions are ripening for Africa to accelerate its development. Macroeconomic…