The twin issues of decolonisation and anti-racism have been recognised over the years to be important approaches to promote development in Africa. There has been a lot of academic papers, research and debate on the issues. But it has not fundamentally changed approaches to development work. This is why the renewed interest by Christian Aid and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) in 2023 is quite commendable. There is the need to critically re-examine African history and envision a new path forward for the continent, a path rooted in justice, equity and reclamation ofAfrican identity.

In this Policy brief, we make a case decolonisation and anti-racism agenda to drive development work in Africa. But first, we examine the trajectory of global development and the legacies of colonialism and racism inAfrica.