Reading the signs of the times: Current geopolitical situation of Africa – challenges and opportunities for the church

At this critical juncture in Africa’s history, the Executive Committee of the ACRC, with representatives of some member churches and representatives of the global office of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) have gathered to read the signs of our times, discern our calling, speak prophetically, address injustice and chart missiological pathways to affirm the dignity of every African person and contribute to the betterment of the living conditions of our societies.

For this purpose, we have reflected on the following matters:

Reading the digital and cultural signs: shaping Reformed theology and youth ministry

We have realised that the young average age of Africans (19.5 years) and the so-called youth bulge present challenges as well as opportunities. Young people meeting a stagnant labour market often experience shame, anxiety, depression and mental health issues that are not understood by an older generation of church leaders. Youth ministry should not be an ecclesial blind spot; the church should much rather consciously listen to the youth and create spaces of hope. Young people should not be treated as passive recipients, but as active participants whom the church accompanies in their life journeys. The church should not restrict faith to the private sphere, but should get involved in public engagement. Digital spaces should be used for koinonia, mission and pastoral care to empower and guide the youth. The church must build generations, not buildings.

Reading the complex signs: Kairos for African churches

The current time is filled with many realities that are positive for the church in Africa: our continent is blessed with natural and human resources, a youthful population, rapid growth of Christianity, good spiritual and cultural values, and new opportunities offered by information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI). However, the church faces negative realities too: neo-colonialism, injustice (economic, climate, gender), immoral leaders and poor governance, ineptitude and corruption. The church should not react by means of lamentation, cynicism or apathy, but rather seize the present as a moment of action. The church is called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that all might have life in abundance, to answer the call to be prophets in our own time, to walk with people on the margins, to harness the gifts of men and
women, young and old, and to model justice in the church and outside of it. The church knows that the authorities will not take opposition quietly and that costly discipleship has consequences, yet we must persevere in our witness.

An invitation to persevere in witness: the WCRC’s strategic framework for 2026-2032

The results of the planning and the outcome of the 27 th General Council of the WCRC held in Chiang Mai, Thailand (October 2025) have been considered, refined, and accepted by the Executive Committee of the WCRC at their recent meeting in Hannover (4-8 May 2026). This document, distributed to all member churches, is presented as an invitation to member churches in Africa – not an imposition – to which churches can respond by using it as a tool for Bible study, as a tool for constructive cooperation, and as a basis for creating hubs for reflection and implementing covenantal actions on theology, justice and mission.

Navigating Africa’s economic headwinds: geopolitical shifts, corporate governance and sustainable church stewardship

Africa has huge potential for growth in the 21st century based on its size, richness in natural resources and a vibrant young population. Geopolitical shifts (like the rivalry between the USA and China, wars and a debt crisis) present challenges. However, Africa’s problems will not be solved by complaining about these shortfalls or about events of the past. In fact, Africa’s biggest problem is created by ourselves: poor leadership. Poor leadership leads to poor governance, and poor governance leads to poverty. The church, whose roots reach across all communities, should use its voice to instil good values and demand accountability. The church must take a greater interest in how the economy works and influence public policy to demand ethical leadership, financial discipline and accountability, courageous institutional reform, dignity and empowerment of the citizenry, as well as intergenerational collaboration to provide hope and growth.

Gender justice and the prophetic voice: amplifying women’s leadership in Africa’s evolving geopolitical narrative

Although women are central to African communities, they often face exclusion and religious marginalisation. The church should condemn gender injustice against women, relegating women to a position as second-class citizens in areas of leadership, theology, decision-making, etc. The real prophetic voice not only predicts the future but also confronts every example of gender injustice in the present. Since gender justice is still an issue, the ACRC advocates for the intentional inclusion of women in church leadership as opposed to mere tokenism. The ACRC should similarly increase its support of young women and intergenerational leadership.

From ritual to prophetic action – activating value-based governance and grassroots civic transformation through the church

Unfortunately, there are too many examples of injustice, police corruption and abuse of power in Africa. A live drama from the Social Centre Traveling Theater working with the International Justice Mission (IJM) demonstrated the trauma, social embarrassment, and potentially fatal impact that sometimes result from police brutality and abuse of power. Churches are unique in the way they can accompany victims of injustice over many years. However, churches must move beyond internal pastoral care to also exert influence over public policy and social systems. Christian professionals should not shy away from political and economic leadership in order to influence outcomes from within the system, and churches should support Christian servant leaders. Instead of affirming social injustice or showing indifference to corrupt leadership and unhealthy customs, we should live up to our mission, “called to communion, committed to justice”. Churches can take practical steps by providing pastoral care and legal support for victims of injustice and discrimination. As a communion, we are called to walk with those in the margins and in the trenches of life. The role of the church within this Kairos moment is to ensure that Africa recovers the one thing we need most now: trustworthy, ethical, visionary, accountable and transparent leaders.

The ecumenical frontier: legislative advocacy, peacebuilding and ethical governance in fragile landscapes

The church is present in all social environments – from slums to parliament – but should convert its presence into policy to make life better for our people and the next generation. The church should promote national cohesion and integration to prevent the catastrophe of internal conflict, civil unrest and the displacement of people. Moreover, the churches should advocate for unity and integration within Africa – the abolition of visas within Africa, a common market, cheaper communication and better transport networks to improve the quality of life of our people.

In conclusion, the participants are leaving the workshop enriched by the deliberations and have been empowered to strengthen and impact our churches within the current geopolitical realities of Africa. The churches are equipped now to speak prophetically to power and indeed to chart missional pathways that affirm the dignity of every African person.