Ambassador Martin Kimani Discusses Africa’s Strategic Pivot

On April 23, the Institute of Global Politics (IGP) hosted a roundtable with Ambassador Martin Kimani to discuss how African nations are navigating an increasingly complex and competitive global landscape. Kimani is the former permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations. He is currently president and CEO of The Africa Center and an IGP Carnegie Distinguished Fellow. The conversation was moderated by Ambassador Victoria Nuland, professor of international diplomacy and director of SIPA’s International Fellows Program.

Kimani kicked off the discussion by reflecting on the recent shift in US foreign policy, including the withdrawal of US aid programs. “The wholesale shutdown clearly is going to lead in the short term to a spike in suffering by very vulnerable people,” he said, citing refugees and others reliant on critical health services. However, he also framed the moment as a potential catalyst for transformation. “There's going to be a lot of internal self-reflection about how we come to be in this position where we're so vulnerable,” he added.

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Recounting a key moment from Kenya’s foreign policy under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kimani described the vision of Kenya not only as an African nation but also as an Indian Ocean country connecting Africa to the broader Rim. “Our prosperity would come from bridging the Rim and Africa,” he recounted, highlighting the region’s economic potential—an initiative later overshadowed by regional security crises.

The former Ambassador also outlined how African governments are increasingly challenged by mounting external pressure from actors such as China, Turkey, Russia, and the Gulf states. Rather than pursuing unified national strategies, many governments respond in a fragmented and reactive manner, with ministries and political leaders often advancing their own agendas independently. He emphasized that building internal coordination and structured engagement mechanisms is crucial for African states to navigate this complex global environment effectively.

Africa's relationship with global powers is of particular concern. Kimani pointed out that Africa's shift toward China was not a passive event: “Africans pivoted to that offer,” he said, referring to China's readiness to fund and deliver Belt and Road infrastructure projects without the extensive conditions often attached to Western aid. On the shifting geopolitical scene in the Sahel, Kimani discussed the decline of French influence and the complex rise of alternative security partnerships like Russia’s Wagner Group.

Looking forward, Kimani called for African states to engage more proactively with global powers and for the United States to rethink its approach to the continent. He conveyed optimism that the current disruption could create an opportunity for greater political vision and ambition to redefine the terms of engagement between Africa and its global partners. Ultimately, he challenged new African leadership to step into the vacuum: “It’s not just what happens here. It’s whether African leadership really is able to see that future and have that vision.”