In the current context of rising geopolitical tensions between the US and China, African countries may find themselves repeating the same mistakes unless they proactively shape their own destinies.

The COVID-19 reality, combined with the ratcheting up of US-China tensions over trade, technology and supply chains, has opened up opportunities that African countries should exploit.

This leads us to the third domain, namely the need for African countries to deepen trade integration and economic cooperation.

African trade is highly concentrated on a few economic hubs: China and Europe together account for 54% of total African trade, with China being Africa's single largest trading partner.

Imagination and courage

African countries should seize the opportunities presented by deepening tensions between China and the US to realise positive agency and chart their own future.