Though some of these changes are beyond our control, there are many others we can influence. When changes occur without our influence and outside of our control, we are reduced to mere recipients, observers or sometimes victims. Today’s world is in a flux with multiplicity of changes happening around us – the evolution of cultures, emergence of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence and a planet at the risk of climate change.

As Africans, we are unfortunately most often reduced to mere observers, recipients and in many cases, victims of these changes. We are almost always playing catch-up. Our development paradigms and theories of change are mostly postulations of external agents dominated by the global north backed with their deep pockets. The reality is that, whoever defines a concept, controls the narrative. Thus the genuine African narrative is mostly missing or having to play second fiddle if at all.  It is time to turn the tide.

The critical mass of African youth and women must assume centre stage in defining our development pathway.

Thus, for those changes that are of interest to us and we can influence, we must be more intentional in playing active roles in how they happen, when and where they occur and their outcomes. And such outcomes must be beneficial to our society. The change must be meaningful to us! Even for those that may be beyond our influence or control and we are aware of their occurrence, we need to be future-ready to better adapt to such changes. To do this effectively, we at ACT Africa believe will require three important people-centered ingredients: Relevant Knowledge that enlighten and empower us to act for change; Resources that enable us to act effectively for change; and Transformative Actions that make change happen for us. The interaction of these factors within todays chaotic socioeconomic context are illustrated below: