Concerns over Africa’s global representation took centre stage on Thursday as scholars and communication experts argued that the continent continues to be defined largely through external narratives that distort its realities and limit its global positioning.
Speaking at a gathering in Port Harcourt on April 30, 2026, participants noted that Africa’s story from historical accounts to literature, film and diplomacy has long been shaped by non-African voices, often framed through perspectives that fail to capture the continent’s diversity and potential.
According to the experts, this externally constructed narrative has, over time, influenced how Africa is perceived globally, with implications for trade, diplomacy and investment opportunities. They stressed that the African experience, as communicated through foreign lenses, continues to shape not only perception but also the continent’s socio-economic realities.
The forum highlighted how entrenched communication patterns, including the distortion of African names, places and expressions, have contributed to a misrepresentation of identity and culture. Participants argued that such trends underscore the critical role of communication in defining a people and their place in the global order.
To address this, experts called for a deliberate shift towards what they described as “language excellence,” positioning communication as a strategic tool for reframing Africa’s narrative and projecting a more accurate image of the continent.
They urged governments across Africa to prioritise communication as a form of infrastructure, alongside technology, in efforts to reshape the continent’s global image. Business leaders and policymakers were also encouraged to invest in platforms that promote effective public speaking and strategic messaging.
The call formed part of broader efforts by stakeholders to reclaim Africa’s narrative through structured communication and leadership development initiatives.
Delivering a keynote address at the investiture ceremony and launch of the African Institute of Public Speaking and Communication Excellence, the founder of the AfCFTA Roundtable, Warmate Idikio, underscored the link between perception and development.
Speaking on the theme, “Speak Influence, Lead: Investing in Africa’s Future,” Idikio described communication as a powerful instrument for transformation, urging leaders to treat cultural expression as a deliberate tool rather than an accident.
He called on African leaders to adopt clearer and more intentional communication strategies, stressing the need to interrogate who shapes the language and narratives that define the continent’s future.
According to him, Africa’s challenge is not a lack of ideas but the absence of coherent and compelling communication capable of inspiring belief and driving collective action.
Idikio further observed that from colonial-era literature to modern media cycles, Africa has often been portrayed through a narrow lens that amplifies crises while downplaying creativity, innovation and opportunity, a trend he said must be consciously reversed to unlock the continent’s full potential.
