
Rethinking Academic Freedom in Africa by Paul Tiyambe Zeleza
Presentation and Intervention at the Academic Freedom in Africa Brainstorming Meeting, Dakar, Senegal, 28–29 November 2024
Introduction
Since independence, African universities have undergone profound transformations, evolving through three distinct regimes: the nationalist university, the developmental university and the neoliberal university. These typologies mirror broader sociopolitical, economic and cultural shifts across the continent, each shaping the roles, purposes and operations of higher education institutions in unique ways. The transitions have had far-reaching implications for the structure, function and societal impact of African universities. This essay analyses how these regimes have influenced academic and intellectual freedom, the evolving roles of academics and intellectuals, and the strategies needed to bridge the divide between institutional and public knowledge production. By examining contemporary challenges and opportunities, it proposes a comprehensive framework for fostering inclusive, autonomous and globally connected knowledge ecosystems in Africa. Read more …