Political analyst Rui Tyitende has emphasised that Africa must engage with global powers armed with a clear development agenda.

During an interview with NBC News, Tyitende questioned the structure of "Africa plus One" gatherings in light of the recently concluded France-Africa summit and the postponed India-Africa summit, where African leaders meet with a single global power.

The "Africa plus One" summit model dates back to 1973, when France gathered former colonies to maintain post-colonial ties, and has since expanded with other superpowers negotiating with the continent as one bloc.

Tyitende said these former colonial powers have detailed plans focused on Africa's vast mineral wealth, while African countries often fail to present a united strategy.

"That's because our African leaders, when they engage with these global powers, do not come with a clear agenda of what it is that they want for Africa. As a continent. Now, that's problematic. This is problematic because, for example, the United States also hosts the Africa Plus One Summit for the continent. They have what they call the United States Energy Act, which they developed in 2020, and this legal instrument is very particular about how they want to engage with Africa. They are talking about extracting raw materials so that they can develop their green energies, they can develop their military-industrial complex, and they can do it for digital innovation. But the fundamental question is, what's in it for Africa?"

Tyitende asserts that Africa still has hope, highlighting the adoption of the African Green Minerals Strategy of 2025 as a significant step taken by African leaders.

"They argue that any green minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, extracted from the African continent should have value added at the source. And that is a step in the right direction, and I think we can do much more, provided that our collective interests, our collective aspirations, and our collective development agenda speak with one voice. In fact, why should an entire continent, 54 heads of state, be summoned to meet with one president, whether it is that of the United States or China? In fact, why should an entire continent, 54 heads of state, be summoned to meet with one president, whether it's that of the United States or China?"

Some African leaders have also, of late, added their voices publicly for the continent to negotiate tactics.

While debate around Africa's role in global partnerships continues, Tyitende asserts that stronger regional bodies could help Africa build a unified continental strategy capable of securing long-term gains.