The rapidly increasing importance of Africa in world affairs became apparent by the late 1970s. However, media coverage at that time presented a picture of great complexity, confusion, and even impending disaster. It was easy to take refuge in simplistic, over-generalized, and highly prejudiced explanations for contemporary problems, blaming colonial exploitation, neocolonialism, internal capitalism, communism, tribalism, elitism, corruption, or simple ineptness for the widespread social, economic, and political challenges across the continent.

First published in 1978, Africa Today provides an introduction to understanding events in Africa during this critical period. The book stimulates informed interest in the complex governance, development, and identity challenges that African nations were navigating as they established their post-independence trajectories.