Postcolonial, Decolonial and Transcolonial Approaches to Development in Africa

In this article we attempt to think beyond the adversarial mode and imagine possibilities of concordance as a model for development in Africa. We explore the dynamics of adversariality and concordance through the stages of postcoloniality, decoloniality, and transcoloniality in African development. We argue for a shift to a reliance on concord as the basis for development. This happens to be rooted in the African notions of complementarity and harmony. We insist that theoretically and methodologically positive mindedness and a positive set of values that pursue colligation, complementarity, and overall concordance are more reliable drivers for development than the negativity that the adversarial model portends. This is part of the essence of the emerging transcolonial disposition towards accomplishing development and we think that it holds better prospects for development in Africa.