What if Africa is refusing to develop?
This unsettling question lies at the heart of Axelle Kabou’s groundbreaking 1991 book, written originally in French and never translated into English — perhaps because of how provocative it remains.

In Et si l’Afrique refusait le développement?, the Cameroonian author challenges the comforting narratives of victimhood and dependency, urging Africans — especially the elites — to take full ownership of their continent’s destiny.

In this episode, we unpack Kabou’s bold ideas, her critique of postcolonial stagnation, and the deeper question of what true self-determined progress might look like for Africa.

Tune in now to explore the nuances and legacy of What if Africa is refusing to develop?

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00:00 Intro

01:25 Book Intro and background

04:38 The Author

09:13 The main themes

13:34 So why is Africa underdeveloped according to AK?

24:25 The signs of the refusal of development

40:30 The Promise of a Decomplexed Africa… Deferred

51:53 Outro