A crucial conversation with leading thinkers on current attempts to decolonise Eurocentric knowledge systems in Africa, and their role in challenging the enduring effects of colonialism in African and global society.

To kick-start 2020’s Africa Talks series, we are delighted to host Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Wangui wa Goro and Romina Istratii to discuss decolonisation and African knowledge systems. Across Africa, governments, universities and activist groups are making spirited efforts to decolonise the Eurocentric systems of knowledge that continue to pervade the continent. But what does this mean and how can it be achieved? More than transforming how knowledge is taught and produced in the academy, the ‘decolonisation of African knowledge systems’ can be seen as a tool in a wider toolbox aimed at challenging the incessant sway of colonialism on understanding present-day African society.

The speakers will examine some of the progress made in decolonising Africa’s knowledge systems, discussing present ideas on how these systems can be rethought, re-framed and reconstructed, and the complicated role played by global North-South knowledge exchange programmes in attempts to further the continent’s epistemological agency.

Akosua Adomako Ampofo is President of the African Studies Association of Africa.

Wangui wa Goro is a Kenyan academic, social critic, researcher, translator and writer.

Romina Istratii is a critical researcher and practitioner based at SOAS.

Sara Salem is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, LSE.

The Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa (FLCA) strengthens LSE’s long-term commitment to placing Africa at the heart of understandings and debates on global issues.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEAfrica

Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Decolonising African Knowledge Systems.

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.

Slides

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available for download: 

Decolonising African Knowledge Systems