100+ Africa-Based Sample Research paper, and Essay Topics

Before going through some of the topics listed ​below. Please check the criteria of selecting a good research topic here.

Africa research paper topics

1. Discuss the representation of “Africa Rising” as portrayed by the IMF, UN, and other international agencies vs the situation on the ground.
2. Foreign aid in Africa: are the people who need it most really benefiting?
3. Critically evaluate the role of foreign investment in an African economy of your choice.
4. A united Africa: is it possible for African countries to unite under one flag? What would be the global ramifications?
5. Critique the history of China in Africa.
6. Discuss the deepened diplomatic relations between many African countries (e.g. Kenya) and the Western claims of Chinese neocolonialism
7. Critique the representation of African cities in various media such as film, books, and documentaries. E.g. Louis Theroux’s “Law and Disorder in Lagos.”
8. Critically assess “A Day on Addis Ababa’s Streets” by Felix Heisel concerning urban informality in Ethiopia.
9. Unemployment in Africa and the corresponding increase in violence and crime: discuss.
10. What do Africans think of their own borders in relation to migration, refugees, terrorism, etc.?
11. With South Africa/Zimbabwe as an example, to what extend is migration an advantage rather than a disadvantage?.
12. How does at 50 years of independence celebrations in African countries portray a sense of national pride or otherwise in various African countries?

Afro-pessimism

13. Afro-pessimism and Black Fugitivity - explore the condition of Africans abroad as they try to dissociate from entrenched stereotypes and viewpoints.

Poverty research paper topics

14. To what extent is the media representation of Africa’s poorest shaped the global view of the continent?
15. To what extent has informality, poverty, and unemployment fuelled the chronic instability experienced in the African region?
16. Despite rich natural resources, why does much of Africa remain desperately poor? Discuss.
17. Poverty in Africa is a perennial problem that requires a paradigm shift in how it is addressed. Discuss.
18. The ultra-rich in Africa invest in foreign assets and hide their money abroad, denying their own countries a chance at growth. Discuss. 
19. What are the intersections between poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and other social ills?

Corruption essay ​topics

20. To what extent has corruption in Africa stalled or even reversed socio-economic development?
21. How effectively is Kenya fighting inbred corruption, especially in public governance?
22. How is media portraying the extent of corruption in African country X?
23. Has corruption in Africa become acceptable and even expected? Discuss.
24. To what extent are Africans responsible for their own corrupt governments?
25. Only a few “big men” in Africa reap the benefits of its natural resources. Discuss.
26. “Foreign aid is hurting, not helping Sub-Saharan Africa.” Discuss.

Victimhood research paper topics

27. Africans are often portrayed as victims of their circumstances. Discuss critically.
28. Discuss generational victimhood in post-apartheid South Africa.
29. To what extent is preferential treatment of Africans for scholarship programs merited? Discuss.
30. Should former colonial powers make restitution for evils committed in the past? Discuss.
31. Many African countries are still reliant on foreign powers for advanced technology such as vaccines, computer technology, etc. which makes them vulnerable. Discuss.

Violence essay ​topics

32. How has ethnic violence in (African country) been misrepresented in global media channels?
33. Africans in foreign countries such as China and the UAE face increased racial discrimination and violence. Critically evaluate this claim and suggest a solution.
34. To what extent was the Rwandan Genocide a failure of the international community?
35. To what extinct is global trade responsible for the conflict in Zimbabwe?
36. Xenophobia in South Africa: discuss the long-term effects on global reputation and cooperation. 
37. How has the media portrayal of ethnic violence in Africa shaped trade and tourism?

Post-colonial perspectives research paper topics

38. Explore the representation of Africa by foreign media as uneducated, backward, or even barbaric.
39. Discuss the “modern colonialism” as expressed by popular African writers.
40. Define and explore the current views of Senegalese over the state of Senegal.
41. Why do many Africans feel themselves to be still under some form of economic and political colonialism by the West?

Gender essay ​topics

42. Discuss the role of the West in changing gender views and roles in African countries.
43. The outdated curse of female genital mutilation in Kenyan tribal communities: discuss.
44. Explore the changing gender roles in traditionally patriarchal societies in African communities.
45. The increasingly important role of the youth in transforming Africa: discuss.
46. The youth bulge in African country Y and its effect on the economy/society.
47. Explore the traditional African representation of sexuality and its role in the current homophobia and anti-homosexuality legislation.

Sexuality research paper topics

48. Discuss the emerging role of African women both locally and abroad. 
49. Critically evaluate the statement: “Homosexuality is un-African.”
50. Most African countries have very harsh anti-homosexuality laws. Discuss the role of the traditional cultural perspective in this. 
51. Discuss how advances in health and technology have shaped the view of the modern woman in Africa.

Land essay ​topics

52. Who owns the land: why is communal land perceived as being under threat from development and privatization in Africa?
53. Discuss how outdated land tenure systems hinder economic development in country Z?
54. Evaluate media evaluation of land grabbing in Uganda and the perspective of international media.

Investment research paper topics

55. The foreign-funded development programs in Kenya and their effect on the economy
56. Discuss the effects on foreign loans in African economies and their long-term effects.
57. How did the infrastructure left behind by colonialists improve the economy of Nigeria?
58. The place of Africa in international commerce: explore and discuss.
59. The role of foreign agents in driving the economy of country Y.

Africa tourism essay ​topics

60. How has targeted branding affected tourism in South Africa?
61. To what extent is African country Y reliant on international tourism for economic stability and growth?
62. With increased industrialization and modernization, describe how tourism in Africa is likely to be affected. Is it a boon for Africa to be modernized?

Africa branding research paper topics

63. How successful has South Africa been in branding itself as a top tourist destination?
64. The most exotic tourist destinations in Africa remain unknown or inaccessible, thus crippling tourism. Discuss.
65. Just successful how would self-branding be to improve the global image of African countries?

Representation of Africa in films, books, etc.

66. Discuss the representation of the South African middle class in “Pakathi - Soweto’s Middle Class.”
67. Discuss the representation of the Nigerian civil in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun.”
68. Critically discuss the portrayal of Africa in popular media such as movies. (Choose one, e.g. Black Panther.)
69. Discuss how informality, employment, and poverty are framed in debates in the UN, various NGOs, and leading think tanks.

Charitable organizations in Africa essay ​topics

70. Discuss how foreign aid to Africa impacts the rest of the world.
71. “Foreign is just a tool of neo-colonialism.” Discuss.
72. To what extent do charitable organizations in Africa promote or otherwise hinder indigenous economic growth? Discuss.
73. Are charitable organizations biased against Africa and present an inaccurate picture of actual conditions?
74. Are foreign and locally run charitable organizations in African being used to make a few individuals rich while the masses suffer? Discuss in relation to recent documentaries/articles published.

Bias in events reporting about Africa essay ​topics

75. Critically analyze event reporting bias in Africa.
76. “The West’s Lazy Reporting of Africa.” Discuss.
77. To what extent can international media be trusted to provide impartial and objective coverage of major African events such as elections, civil wars, etc.?
78. In dictator-run countries such as Uganda, how trustworthy are news as reported by local media vs international media?
79. To what extent are Coronavirus statistics provided by international media reliable?

Nationalism and independence research paper topics

80. Discuss nationalism and independence as portrayed in Kenya (or any other African country) @50 celebration?
81. Critique the representation of nationalism as represented on the media regarding an African country of your choice.
82. Discuss how a certain African country is promoting nationalism and a positive national image.
83. Brain drain and patriotism: are educated Africans unhappy with their native land in terms of opportunities, security, and remuneration? Discuss.
84. Many African students are studying abroad so that they can go back to Africa to help in its economic development. Discuss.

State ideology essay ​topics

85. Discuss the state ideology of an African country of your choice.
86. To what extent is state ideology in country X influenced by colonial values and perspectives?
87. How well defined are state ideologies in African countries?
88. Discuss pan Africanism/African socialism/political ethnicity.

Ethnicity research paper topics

89. Explain what role ethnicity has played in the political environment in Kenya.
90. Bane or boon: how is Africa’s diversity playing a role in the region’s socio-economic development?
91. The story of Africa: how tribal leaders played a role in the governance of Africans during colonialism.

Politics essay ​topics

92. How has “big man” politics shaped African country X?
93. Dictators in Africa - why do Africans vote for the same oppressive leaders again and again? Discuss.
94. Are African countries truly free politically? Discuss in relation to China’s deepened relations with an African country of your choice.
95. Divisive politics and economic control - explore how divisive politics help to make African easier to rule from an objective standpoint.C

Genocide research paper topics

96. Are international peacekeeping bodies turning a blind eye to conflicts in Africa due to self-interest?
97. To what extent would the trial of African leaders accused of crimes against humanity be fair when tried in The Hague vs in their native land?
98. The international community is more interested in ending terrorism and piracy than civil wars. Discuss.
99. Would you say that Africa has learned its lesson from the 1994 Rwandan Genocide? How likely is it to happen again? Discuss.
100. Ethnic and tribal clashes fuelled by the West have caused the death of millions in Africa over the past decade. Discuss. 

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