Colonization and Modern Slavery in Contemporary Africa in Kehinde Andrews’s The New Age of Empire

Abstract

This paper investigates the persistence of colonial logics and contemporary forms of domination in Africa, drawing on Kehinde Andrews’ The New Age of Empire (2021) as a central analytical framework. It addresses the following research question: to what extent do colonial structures continue to shape current economic, political, and epistemic dynamics that constrain African autonomy? The main objective is to examine the structural continuity between historical colonial systems and present-day mechanisms of dependency within the global neoliberal order. Methodologically, the study adopts a critical and integrative literature review, combining postcolonial theory, Pan-African thought, and decolonial approaches. It engages with key scholars such as Fanon, Rodney, Achebe, Mbembe, Klein, and Andrews to build a comparative conceptual framework linking historical colonial exploitation to contemporary global structures of power. The theoretical findings indicate that although formal colonial rule has ended, its underlying logic persists through international institutions, unequal trade relations, and financial systems that reproduce dependency. The analysis highlights significant convergences between postcolonial and Pan-African perspectives in their critique of structural inequality and global power asymmetries. However, divergences emerge regarding the strategies of transformation, particularly between reform-oriented and radical decolonial approaches. The study also identifies important theoretical limitations. Existing literature often treats colonial history and contemporary neoliberalism as separate phenomena, thereby underestimating their structural continuity. In addition, African-centered epistemologies remain insufficiently integrated into dominant analytical frameworks, limiting a fuller understanding of global power relations. In conclusion, this paper argues for the need to develop an integrated theoretical approach that reconnects colonial history with contemporary global dynamics. Such a perspective is essential for a more coherent understanding of Africa’s current condition and for strengthening African epistemic autonomy within global academic discourse.

JEL Classification: F54, O55, N47, B27
Type of paper: Theoretical research