Editorial Note

Abstract

Research on Africa has become even more important as contemporary Africa is not a development case study or a localized academic pursuit but has evolved into setting the global agenda through collective leadership. African continent in the 21st century is moving towards becoming a most important engine of the global economy because of its demographic advantage, resource reserves, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that is turning out to be a largest zone of free trade. Understanding Africa‘s demographic centrality as a consequence of its lowest median age and harnessing that cohort is the way towards global stability and innovation. The global green transition is impossible without Africa because of its mineral reserves that are enabling sustainable supply chains. Africa is on its way towards becoming a geopolitical agency as besides her growing influence in multilateral fora, the permanent seat of the African Union at the G 20 has structurally changed the global governance. It is able to negotiate with multiple powers on its own terms that demonstrates active non-alignment. African indigenous knowledge and African time-tested traditional practices are providing compelling alternatives to the already established systems. The continent‘s advantages or failures are no longer localized. The research in African studies has moved beyond ―problem-solving or ―aid-centric models to focus on the ways African agency is rewriting global systems.The collection of research paper in the present volume addresses some of these interconnected issues of African continent that is moving towards the realization of Agenda 2063 The research paper on “Analyzing Foreign Direct Investment Disparities in Africa: A Regional Perspective” aims to examine patterns of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa from 1990 to 2024,
focusing on both its growth and persistent shortfalls despite economic and institutional improvements. The research emphasizes the uneven distribution of FDI across the continent and explores regional differences in North, East, West, Southern, and Central Africa. Ultimately, the paper investigates how inconsistent FDI inflows affect the development of emerging economies and their progress toward sustainable development goals. The paper “Geocultural Collaboration of Africa-Brazil and Mutual Development under BRICS” explores how BRICS member- states, particularly Brazil in partnership with African nations, can leverage geocultural synergies to promote sustainable economic development. It emphasizes that integrated industrialization projects and regional collaboration can generate mutually beneficial outcomes,tapping into Africa‘s growing consumer base and long-term growth potential. Recent BRICS expansion and financial support, including investments in renewables and agro-hubs, enhance these opportunities.
By prioritizing local currency trade, AfCFTA integration, and shared historical experiences, the collaboration aims to foster equitable development within a multipolar global framework. This research paper ―Handicrafts as Cultural and Economic Soft Power: A Comparative Study of India and Africa‖ examines how handicrafts in India and Africa serve as instruments of cultural and economic soft power, situating them within discussions of indigenous knowledge and global influence. Using evidence from government reports, multilateral institutions, and scholarly literature, it analyzes institutional, cultural, and economic aspects rather than relying on simple statistics. The research highlights how everyday cultural practices can subtly shape perceptions and maintain lasting influence worldwide. This study titled ―Africa and Asia: Cultural Sisters, Cooperational Strangers Up to the 21st Century‖ aims to explore and emphasize the historical, cultural, and linguistic connections between African and Asian societies, highlighting similarities in social practices, religious beliefs, languages, music, dance, and traditional attire. Additionally, the research examines the implications of growing Asian involvement in Africa, particularly in trade and natural resource exploitation, and considers how these interactions could be managed to avoid unequal partnerships.
Finally, the study recommends strategies to strengthen Afro-Asian relations by promoting mutual benefits in areas such as tourism, education, trade, and cultural exchange, thereby sustaining the shared
historical values and potentials of both continents. The paper “Heal-Stream Diplomacy: Reciprocal Circulation of
traditional healing systems between Indian and Africa‖ investigates the long-standing exchange of traditional healing knowledge between India and Africa along the Indian Ocean, highlighting its historical and contemporary significance. It emphasizes the growing role of indigenous medicine in strengthening healthcare systems and addressing modern health challenges. Introducing the idea of "Heal-Stream Diplomacy," the study frames the circulation of traditional healing practices as a tool for fostering international cooperation and enhancing soft power. Ultimately, it explores how collaboration in these systems can advance both public health and diplomatic interests in the present day. This study titled “India-Namibia Linkages: Partnering in Uranium Sector aims to analyze the strategic dimensions of India–Namibia cooperation in the uranium sector within the context of India‘s expanding nuclear energy program and evolving global nuclear governance. It seeks to examine India‘s nuclear energy trajectory, including its three-stage program and reliance on imported uranium, alongside the country‘s reintegration into international nuclear frameworks post-2008 NSG waiver. The research also explores Africa‘s uranium landscape, with a focus on Namibia‘s production capabilities, regulatory environment, and role in global supply chains. The study “Role of Indigenous Knowledge in the Afro Indian Siddi Communities’ Health System: An Interface between Tradition, Spirituality, and Medicine” examines the Afro-Indian Siddi community, tracing how their African heritage has merged with Indian cultural and medical traditions over centuries. It aims to document the Siddis' traditional healthcare practices, beliefs, and ethnomedical knowledge passed down through generations. Using field visits and interviews with key community members in Gujarat and Karnataka, the research highlights the use of medicinal plants and local remedies to address health issues. The study emphasizes understanding and integrating indigenous healing systems to strengthen culturally rooted healthcare solutions for the community. This research paper ―Foreign Direct Investment Flows in African Economics:A Bibliometric Analysis” examines Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in African economies from 2000 to 2025 through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus- indexed publications using the Biblioshiny tool. It identifies key publication patterns, influential authors, journals, institutions, and countries, highlighting a sharp increase in research after 2010. The study also reveals collaboration networks between African countries and major economies such as China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and current trends in FDI research in Africa, offering insights for researchers,
policymakers, and investors. The research paper ―Decentralization in Democratic Republic of Congo: Constitutional Provisions and Constitutional Reality examines why the 2006 Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo‘s decentralization measures have not been successfully implemented. It explores the gap between the constitutional provisions and the reality shaped by weak administrative capacity, central government resistance, and poor enforcement. It also considers what legal, fiscal, and governance reforms, along with citizen empowerment, might be necessary to make decentralization effective and strengthen democracy and sustainable development. The article ―Smiling Through the Blues: Hughes’ Simple Tales of Complex Truths‖ raises questions how Langston Hughes uses the character of Simple to critique racial, gender, and economic inequality in 1950s Harlem. Through Simple's humor and honest opinions, Hughes shows how everyday issues like relationships and identity are connected to larger social problems.The work also raises questions about cultural expectations and shows how language can be a powerful tool for speaking out. Overall, it makes readers think about why these issues are still relevant today and how the struggle for equality continues. The paper “From Aid Conditionality to Development Partnership: India’s Lines of Credit in East Africa and the Politics of South-South Cooperation” investigates whether India‘s financial engagement in East Africa constitutes a substantive departure from traditional Western aid models. Drawing conceptually on Arjun Sengupta‘s Development Compact, it evaluates the design and implementation of India‘s Lines of Credit under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme, administered by the Export-Import Bank of India. Rather than focusing on conditionality, the analysis explores whether these instruments enable recipient-led project selection and reinforce domestic development priorities. It ultimately assesses the extent to which India‘s approach reflects a more reciprocal and sovereignty-sensitive model of cooperation in the region.