By: Malyna Buckner
From the structures of slavery coincides colonialism and after the supposed end of both what is left, freedom…sovereignty… prosperity? One would think that this would be the case however, this reigns untrue. This is what is publicized, an illusion of a dream. Instead, underdeveloped nations experience the toxic framework of neocolonialism. Colonialism being the direct control over another country through the political, social, economic and cultural landscape with a physical presence of military or government. Neocolonialism, on the other hand, is a similar framework but is an indirect sense of control from a colonizing power over a decolonized nation. This term coined in 1965 by Kwame Nkrumah defines it as “imperialism in its final and perhaps its most dangerous stage… the worst form of imperialism” (Nkrumah). Although slavery and colonialism ended its legacy is seen through neocolonialism and invades all aspects of society.
Economic Impacts
Neocolonialism significantly impacts the economic prosperity of Pan Africanism by the dependency from former colonists and other global powers. As independence from these powers has been gained there is still a need for reliance for trade agreements and resources. In an analysis review titled Neo-colonialism and Africa’s Development: A Critical Review conducted by Cyprian Uchenna Udegbunam states , “before leaving, the imperialists had structured the economic system of the colony in such a way that it must depend wholly on the imperial nations for its growth. The old imperial power controls the monetary system. Thus the neo-colonial state often finds itself obliged to take the manufactured goods of the imperialist power to the exclusion of competing products from elsewhere: its trades are monopolized by the imperialist power” (Udegbunam). Ultimately, draining wealth from the African nation and impacting its development as a whole.
Political State
Neocolonialism has created significant challenges to Pan-Africanism as it continues to affect its political environment. Despite obtaining independence, many African nations are still politically dependent on the former colonists and international nations in which they exert their power over policy. An essay titled, Clientelism and Neocolonialism: Center-Periphery Relations and Political development in African States written by Bruce J. Berman. “Political dependence has been expressed in the first instance through vertical linkages which leave many major decisions affecting African states in the hands of organizations and institutions in the metropolis.” (Berman). This control over African nations makes it difficult to create ideologies that align with their values and prevents them from becoming a unified country. Ultimately, making it to build strong alliances that are streamlined in Pan African models. Neocolonialism’s reach over nations restricts not only true sovereignty but a greater political future for Africa.
Identity Crisis
During the colonial period of these nations many sides of this society were shifted to assimilate to colonist ideologies. Thus, impacting the natural culture of Pan Africanism leading to a lost identity. Even post colonial, moving into a neocolonialism era, African nations remain culturally dominated by former colonial powers, shaping education, societal norms, language, religious practices, and media. The article, Neocolonialism and the African Identity Crisis: Implications For Economic Independence and Thought Leadership explains this as “a crisis of identity in which African societies find themselves caught between traditional cultural values and the cultural influences imposed by external forces” (Inyang). This imposition of western values dilutes the rich history and traditions that stem from the African identity and replaces it, for example, with foreign languages. It has become common to speak English rather than the mother tongue. This identity crisis is largely caused by the infiltration of the education system as the curriculum consists of a “prioritiz[ation] [of] Western historical narratives and philosophical paradigms, often at the expense of African perspectives” (Inyang). With the prioritization of these systems there is a lack of appreciation for the indigenous frameworks and undermines attempts to build and cultivate a connection to culture.
Cultural Impacts Specifically through Media
The cultural domination strengthens this idea of an identity crisis within these nations because of the portrayal of eurocentrism as superior. With the centralization of external cultural influence and lifestyles through media and entertainment it shifts the perception of African audiences “perpetuating stereotypes and undervaluing African cultural achievements” (Inyang). The creative industries push harmful misconceptions like the portrayal of Africa as a continent of poverty, lack of representations of African success stories, beauty standards that favor light skin and straight hair types, and a mockery of traditional practices.
Religion
One of the long term effects of colonialism is the push of western religion known as Christianity into Pan Africanism. Due to the fact that it is a long term effect, it really perpetuates this idea of neocolonialism. As former colonial powers still have control over an aspect of underdeveloped countries through religion and global capitalist ideologies. An article, “Neocolonialism, Antri-Coloniality and Religious Education: New Lessons from Africa South of the Sahara (ASoS) states that “the role of mission schools in colonial Africa…served as instruments of imperialism” and that it was “education entrenched colonization” (Matemba). Religion became a tool to justify control over African societies with the exclusion of African traditional religion and neglect to indigenous tradition; these practices were seen as inferior.
Conclusion
Neocolonialism continues to threaten the core values of Pan-Africanism by negatively impacting economic autonomy, cultural identity, political control, and belief systems. Through indirect control developed nations have a continuous influence over African and other underdeveloped nations shaping policies, principles, and ideologies. This western dominance prevents prosperity and true African heritage representation ultimately impacting all cornerstones of Pan-African societies.
Works Cited
Berman, Bruce J. “Clientelism and neocolonialism: center-periphery relations and political development in African states.” Studies in Comparative International Development 9 (1974): 3-25.
Inyang, Usen E, and Preye Rachael Hamilton. “Neocolonialism and the African Identity Crisis: Implications for economic independence and thought leadership.” African And Global Issues Quarterly, vol. 5, no. 1, 21 Feb. 2025, pp. 17–37https://doi.org/10.69778/2710-0073/2025/5.1/a2.
Matemba, Yonah Hisbon. “Neocolonialism, anti-coloniality and religious education: new lessons from Africa South of the Sahara (ASoS).” Religious Education 119.3 (2024): 210-226.
Nkrumah, Kwame. “Introduction.” Neocolonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism, pp. 5–5.
Udegbunam, Cyprian Uchenna. “Neo-colonialism and Africa’s development: A critical review.” Public Policy and Administration Research 10.10 (2020): 69-86.
Pan African Studies Encyclopedia 