In a knowledge-based economy like that of the US, the term “thought leader” or “thought leadership” is a pretty big deal. If one is referred to as a thought leader, then that’s money in the bank, clients in the roster, likes on the Facebook page, and, yes, followers on the blog. A thought leader is the go-to guy or gal for all things the person thinks and writes about. A thought leader is an authority on a subject…an expert with answers. Having spent time diving deep into a topic, this person knows a whole lot about something. He’s coming up with new ideas in his sleep.
That’s not to say that a thought leader’s ideas and pontifications are greater and more valid than anyone else’s in a similar field. For the most part, it just means that a thought leader has figured out a way to communicate a topic in a forum and in a way that catches the eye of the masses. In other words, she has managed to disseminate her ideas, make them go viral, and get rewarded handsomely. Suffice it to say, thought leadership pays and everyone here seems to be seeking that title!
What about in the developing world? What about in Africa? Who are the experts and authorities on African development, African business, African economies, African history, African politics, African conflicts? Would you expect that among a group of well-known experts and “thought leaders” on Africa, the majority would actually be African?
Here’s my challenge to you: google “experts on Africa” and browse through the first 3 or 4 results; and if you find that the noted “experts” identified on the various pages of organizations are predominantly African thought leaders, leave me a comment at the bottom of this page with the following words: “You missed the mark, Yosef”.
I am an American citizen and love the US, but being originally from Ethiopia, I reserve the right to put on my African hat from time to time. So let me say this: we Africans, among the many hurdles to overcome, have to address the blatant exclusion and/or absence from leadership in thought regarding matters affecting our Africa. It is truly a peculiar thing.
Why is it that the well-known scholarly works about African history are written by non-Africans? Or that the media commentary about African issues tends to be done by non-Africans? Or that the leadership of Africa-focused NGOs are primarily made up of charismatic, globetrotting non-African millennials?
This goes back to the concept of thought leadership and how one achieves this pinnacle. As a Westerner, becoming a thought leader on Africa does involve the requisite media savvy-ness but upstream of the self-promotion (term NOT being used in a disparaging way) phase, you are likely to find an individual who has benefited from several key affiliations with African leaders and indigenous experts who in turn have opened up the treasure trove of information necessary for the Western expert to build her reputation as an African expert. Through years of “collaboration” and publishing, with the Western expert’s name the most visibly displayed, the goal of thought leadership is achieved and the adventurous Westerner who has braved harsh conditions and faced down multiple threats to life and limb “in search of the truth”, is now the go-to expert. The Africans who were instrumental in this achievement? Well, their names will be in the “Acknowledgment” section of his best-selling book…maybe even the Introduction.
I realize there is a heavy dose of cynicism in what I am writing…and part of it is to poke fun at the absurdity of the matter. David Brooks of the New York Times does it better in an Op-ed piece about “thought leadership” were he lays out the development stages of a thought leader.
My characterization of the opportunistic Western Afro-phile will likely anger those who consider themselves true friends of Africa. And I know plenty of people (some of my best friends are Afrophiles) who are genuine and who do adhere to equitable recognition for effort and contribution when conducting their work in Africa. But the reality remains that Africans are not telling their own stories; it is being told through the lens of the West. Regardless of the reasons for this, we have to reverse this trend.
In the two decades since my time at Stanford, I have seen a positive shift with more and more Africans becoming part of the thought leadership paradigm on Africa…across a wide range of topics and fields. Like other concerns, this is one that will take time to address.
In the meantime, pay attention to the commentary about Africa, understand the source, insist on accuracy, and, by all means, be part of the conversation! If you are African, chances are you are qualified to speak about Africa.
I would very much like to know your thoughts on this matter.
Is there an absence of African thought leadership on matters affecting Africa?
Do Western experts and Afro-philes have an unfair advantage over Africans in terms of building their reputation as authorities on African issues?
Do you feel the characterization about thought leadership on Africa is inaccurate?
Pay Attention 
I’d have to agree with you when you say that we “are not telling our stories”. There is a Yoruba saying which I would not be surprised exists in many other African cultures that says “ko si eni to mo pon bi olomo” – there is nobody who can carry a woman’s baby with a cloth wrapper on her back that would meet the satisfaction of the mother. Yet, Africans seem content to allow others to fill voids they create by their absence. I dont blame any westerner who – due to their own motives – chooses to fill such a void.
I enjoyed your article and find it refreshing. Please keep it up.
So this is true…Maybe this is part of the colonial legacy of many countries where the indigenous populations were really not participating in ownership of their own country.
Sadly, this is very true. While we cannot discount the contributions that they have made, it is time that Africans rose up and participated in their own development. African intellectuals are busy looking for money instead of helping with progress. While Karl Marx’s theory of social change is very controversial, he does get one thing right. He rightly insinuates that it is the duty of the middle class (perceived as the intellectuals) to educate the lower class in order for social change to take place. While I do not advocate for radical and violent means, intellectual revolutions should happen. However, these do not since the intellectual class is so busy feeding their own interests. Until this changes, until we take on our own role in thinking for Africa, the continent shall remain dark.
I am in agreement Samson. The role of that middle class is so critical…even here in the US. The middle class should really be the tool to prevent the widening of the income gap, not through income suppression of the rich but through opportunity generation for the poor. Unfortunately, the allure of riches is very seductive so people are influenced by their basest materialistic desires instead of moral and intellectual persuasions that would help to bring about “social change”.