Agence panafricaine pour le développement et l’intégration (APDI)
The Problem of “I”
As a Pan-African association, we aim to promote and embody the concept of Pan-Africanism through our activities and projects. Our association believes in the practical manifestation of Pan-Africanism for the people of Africa, a concept that is gradually being eroded by the leaders of the continent. The steps toward realizing the practical manifestation of Pan-Africanism for Africans are twofold.
Written by Lord Fiifi Sampson
1/17/20253 min read


As a Pan-African association, we aim to promote and embody the concept of Pan-Africanism through our activities and projects.
Our association believes in the practical manifestation of Pan-Africanism for the people of Africa, a concept that is gradually being eroded by the leaders of the continent. The steps toward realizing the practical manifestation of Pan-Africanism for Africans are twofold.
One aims at correcting the mindsets of Africans, especially the emerging generation, regarding the concepts of Pan-Africanism. The other uses the association as a conduit or agent for the progressive development of the continent through short-term and long-term projects funded by the association’s resources and revenue.
It is widely acknowledged, notably by Pierre-Noël Giraud in his book La Mondialisation : émergences et fragmentation (page 20), where he emphasizes that "all important political and economic changes are always preceded by the intellectual victory of those who promote them."
How? Through academic and philosophical writings. He cites the example of David Ricardo, whose intellectual victory promoted free trade in Europe, ultimately influencing the British government to abolish the Corn Laws.
This led to the Chevalier-Cobden Treaty signed by the Second French Empire and Great Britain in 1860 to promote free trade between the two former rival nations. This victory was facilitated by Ricardo’s book, The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation (1817).
But this is not the only example. Humanist thinking and secular ways of life were ushered into the world through the writings of sophists like Socrates and Plato.
Socialism and communism were introduced by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The battle against discrimination toward women, including universal suffrage, and the current empowerment movements, owe much to reformist writings by figures like Simone de Beauvoir (The Second Sex) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Management theories widely used today, such as organizational hierarchy, bureaucracy, and productivity concepts like "per man-hour" and "machine-hour," are derived from the works of scholars like Henri Fayol, Max Weber, and Frederick W. Taylor.
Similarly, Adam Smith’s theory of division of labor and supply-demand dynamics forms the basis of modern market systems.
In a continent full of youthful populations but plagued by unbalanced employment opportunities, many questions arise about Africa's future. Among these is a crucial question: How can Africans champion their development? Upon personal observation, there seems to be a significant gap in the thinking patterns of the emerging generation, heavily influenced by those currently in power.
This gap manifests in the dominance of an “I” mindset instead of a “we” mindset.
The consequences of the “I” mindset include:
A focus on seeking jobs for personal praise and societal respect (e.g., white-collar jobs) rather than developing talents and passions to industrialize economies and create jobs.
A tendency to pursue advanced education for accolades, titles, and salary increases, not for gaining knowledge and skills to benefit society.
Entrepreneurs focusing on earning money and fame rather than commercially industrializing the continent. Their businesses, often reliant on imported goods, are short-lived and heavily dependent on the owner.
Citizens asking, “What is the government doing for development?” instead of considering how they, as citizens, can contribute.
Self-proclaimed "Messiahs" of society striving for personal gain, political power, and societal praise while neglecting long-term development.
Self-indulgence is an unseen plague across the continent, fostering dependence on foreign aid, blame-shifting, and a critical attitude devoid of constructive action. This mindset perpetuates underdevelopment and raises the question of how Africa can achieve progress.
This self-indulgent thinking must be corrected, and a new path must be illuminated: the path of unity through Pan-Africanism. This path becomes evident only when people are educated about it—a mission that this association has taken up.
Through article writing, educational seminars, and programs, we aim to revive interest in Pan-Africanism.
We explore its concept, examine why it has waned in Africa and the diaspora, reflect on the efforts of its pioneers, and propose strategies to resurrect it. The creation of this website is a step toward this goal.