AMAMIHE Journal of Applied Philosophy

While other continents are strategically positioning themselves to harness the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) that is sweeping globally, Africa appears to be lacking in readiness. Unprepared due to the lack of fundamental elements for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as a stable governance and political structure are notably absent in a context where coup d’états have become commonplace. This pertains specifically to three nations within the ECOWAS region: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. One might contend that these issues are unique to these nations and should not be imposed upon the endeavours of other countries in their pursuit of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This study challenges the notion that such a perspective is accurate. This phenomenon arises from the intricate interconnections these nations share in trade and commerce, to the extent that neighbouring countries experience consequential effects. Furthermore, the recent surge of coups has prompted various African nations to reevaluate and reorganise their military structures to preempt the potential occurrence of similar upheavals. In light of this, the pivotal inquiry arises: given the initiatives aimed at military standardisation and the objectives to avert the descent into military governance, are African nations genuinely prepared to harness the potential advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

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