Book Launch | Reclaiming Economic Sovereignty in Africa - Prof Horman Chitonge

On Wednesday, 2 July, the Centre for African Studies(CAS) in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted the official launch of Prof Horman Chitonge’s latest book, Reclaiming Economic Sovereignty in Africa: A Natural Resource-Based Industrialisation Perspective. Prof Chitonge is a leading scholar in African Studies at UCT, his research focuses on alternative strategies for economic growth in Africa, agrarian political economy, industrialisation, poverty and welfare. 

The partnership between UCT's Nelson Mandela School and CAS to launch this book reflects a shared commitment to advancing African-centered approaches to governance and development. 

The launch brought together colleagues from UCT and University of the Western Cape, postgraduate students, and friends of Prof Chitonge to celebrate this significant milestone. Associate Professor Divine Fuh welcomed attendees and introduced both Prof Chitonge and Prof Brian Raftopoulos. Prof Fuh emphasised the importance of the collaboration between the Nelson Mandela School and the Centre for African Studies, noting that it underscores the value of governance rooted in African policy frameworks.

In his remarks, Prof Chitonge expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the book’s development. He shared that the writing process began during a five-month sabbatical in Japan, where he found the inspiration and space to begin crafting the manuscript. He spoke passionately about the book’s central theme: the need for Africa to reclaim its economic sovereignty by leveraging its natural resources and comparative advantages. Quoting a 2015 speech by the Ugandan president at the COP meeting in Kampala, Prof Chitonge underscored the urgency of a regional strategy and deeper integration to achieve true sovereignty.

Prof Raftopoulos, serving as the discussant, engaged the audience with thought-provoking questions around the political dimensions of economic sovereignty, sparking a lively and insightful discussion.

Reclaiming Economic Sovereignty in Africa is now available online and promises to be a vital resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of African development. The book has approached the question of natural resources in Africa from a different perspective. It makes the argument that natural resources in Africa can be utilised to reclaim its economic sovereignty which is central to the economic development and industrialisation of the continent.