African Liberty

“Freedom can never be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression.” – Nelson Mandela

Youth’s Inclusion in Politics Will Strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy
Despite making up the largest share of Nigeria’s electorate, young people remain systematically excluded from political participation due to high nomination costs, elite-controlled party structures, and weak pathways to leadership. This disconnect between constitutional rights and practical access continues to weaken democratic inclusion and fuel political apathy among youth.

Strengthening Nigeria’s democracy will require lowering barriers to entry, enforcing internal party reforms such as youth quotas, and creating structured pathways like fellowships and advisory roles that allow young people to meaningfully shape governance.

Read the full article by Agbeye Oburumu → https://www.africanliberty.org/2026/04/29/youths-inclusion-in-politics-will-strengthen-nigerias-democracy/

"Wole Soyinka

“The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”"

Railways Are Africa’s Missing Link to Economic Progress

Africa’s trade ambitions under the AfCFTA are being constrained not by policy, but by logistics. High transport costs, fragmented rail systems, and overreliance on road networks continue to slow intra-African trade, especially for landlocked countries. While initiatives like Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway and the Lobito Corridor show progress, most rail infrastructure remains disconnected across borders, limiting its economic impact.

Unlocking continental trade will require completing regional rail corridors, strengthening cross-border coordination, and improving public-private investment models. Without efficient rail connectivity, the AfCFTA risks underperforming in translating trade potential into real economic transformation.

Read the full article by Rodrigue Ishimwe → https://www.africanliberty.org/2026/04/27/railways-are-africas-missing-link-to-economic-progress/

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Tomorrow

Join our webinar on How Culture and Law Restrict Women’s Property Rights in Africa as we examine how legal systems and cultural norms continue to shape women’s access to property and economic freedom across Africa.

May 29, 2026
5 PM (WAT)

Speakers:
🎙 Dr. Stephanie E. Effevottu
🎙 Zigwai Tagwai

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pyN8GBl4T0e_dF9RZGWicg #/registration
Reserve Your Spot

Freedom Icon: Bibi T**i Mohammed (Tanzania)

Bibi T**i Mohammed (1926–2000) was a Tanzanian freedom fighter, political leader, and one of the most influential women in the country’s independence movement.

Born in Dar es Salaam, she rose from humble beginnings to become a key mobilizer in the struggle against British colonial rule. In the 1950s, she joined the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), where she worked closely with Julius Nyerere in building the independence movement.

As leader of the women’s wing of TANU, she helped mobilize thousands of women into political action, making women a powerful force in the anti-colonial struggle. Her efforts were instrumental in spreading nationalist ideas and strengthening grassroots support for independence.

After Tanzania gained independence in 1961, she served in government as a junior minister for women and social affairs, helping to shape early policies on gender inclusion and social development.

Later in her political career, she was arrested in 1969 on treason charges and sentenced to life imprisonment, though she was released after two years following a presidential pardon. After her release, she lived a quiet life away from politics.

Despite her hardships, Bibi T**i Mohammed is remembered as a pioneer of women’s political participation and a central figure in Tanzania’s liberation struggle. Her legacy continues to inspire movements for gender equality and political freedom across Africa.

How Africa Should Maximize OPEC Membership
The UAE’s exit from OPEC signals a deeper fracture in global oil coordination and raises urgent questions for African producers still inside the bloc. For decades, African members have operated more as price-takers than price-shapers, constrained by quotas misaligned with their fiscal realities and infrastructure limitations. As OPEC’s cohesion weakens, African oil-producing countries must reassess whether the current framework still serves their long-term economic interests.

This moment calls for a shift from passive membership to strategic leverage—where African producers rethink how they price, market, and monetise their resources beyond quota-driven politics.

Read the full article by Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani → https://www.africanliberty.org/2026/05/11/how-africa-should-maximize-opec-membership/