The Economist reported that, “For the past two decades, if you searched a map of Africa for a country that was relatively stable politically and successful economically, one stood out: Kenya.” The country has grown steadily and sustained a largely peaceful democracy.
“But now the picture is looking bleak. Kenyans are increasingly discontented and venting their anger in the streets. President William Ruto, elected in 2022 on a promise to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans, has responded to demonstrations with brutality and censorship.”
Sounds like an accurate and fair news story, doesn’t it? Kenya is in turmoil for a year following vociferous demands by citizens – led by Gen Z – for better governance: lift the heavy tax burden, lower the cost of living, create jobs, end the profligacy and ostentation of state elites, eliminate runaway corruption, provide better social services like health and education, stop excessive borrowing, stop the lies, and so on. The government has responded to peaceful street protests with police brutality that has resulted in deaths, maiming, abductions, torture and illegal detention of critics.
But why does The Economist frame the story of Kenya’s “relative” political stability and economic success in the generic context of a supposedly failed Africa? According to the influential London-based publication, you have to “search” the entire map of Africa to find a country with even a modicum of stability and success.
Africa is not a country, but a diverse continent of 54 independent states. Kenya’s problems, as well as those of many other African countries, arise from failure of leadership but also, crucially, from decades of relentless imperialist meddling and exploitation.
The Economist is not alone in trumpeting the racist myth of the “Dark Continent”. On May 29, the BBC news website carried a story titled, “Man skateboarding to Africa has belongings stolen”. Where do you think the theft happened? “A man skateboarding to Africa for charity has said that all his belongings, including his passport, have been stolen,” the report said. “Sam Allison, who is attempting to skate some 1,500 miles (2,414km) to Tangier in Morocco from Brighton, said it happened while he was camping in France.”
Ahem, France? Allison was skateboarding to Africa, but the immediate impression one gets from the headline and intro is that the theft of his belongings happened somewhere in Africa. Why not write that, “Man skateboarding to Africa has belongings stolen in France”?
This bleak image of Africa is deeply ingrained in the Western mind. Twice this year, US President Donald Trump has attempted to humiliate Africa. At a White House meeting in May, Trump ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, claiming falsely that there was genocide against whites in South Africa. Earlier, 59 white South African “refugees” had been flown to the United States under the Trump administration’s plan to save them from the alleged “genocide”.
And last week, while hosting presidents from West Africa, Trump made thinly veiled racist remarks. After Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai spoke, Trump responded: “Such good English. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? In Liberia?” English is the official language of Liberia, a nation established on July 26, 1847, by freed African slaves from the United States. Liberia and Ethiopia are the only African nations that were never colonised. Trump knows – or ought to know – that history.
A new report reveals that everyday perceptions of Africa in the United Kingdom and the United States are still largely shaped by outdated negative stereotypes. Study participants were asked to write down three thoughts that came to mind when thinking about either Africa or Europe. Over half (57.9 per cent) of the responses about Africa mentioned wildlife or nature, with many describing the continent as hot, dangerous, or uninhabitable. In contrast, Europe was associated with modernity, architecture, and pleasant landscapes. Africa’s society and economy were linked to corruption, instability, and poverty, while Europe was seen as stable and prosperous.
“This report shows that Africa still exists as an abstract concept for many — one that is defined more by animals and hardship than by people, progress, or potential,” said Dr Adam Hahn, lead researcher and senior lecturer in social psychology at the University of Bath. “It’s not just what people think, it’s how their thoughts shape what they do — including their willingness to buy African products or engage with African cultures.”
What does all this mean for us, as African journalists? Lies about Africa persist. We must be intentional about telling positive stories of Africa and fighting entrenched racist stereotypes about our Motherland. Viva Africa!
See you next week!
