World Reframed 2: Generation gap in African politics and Vietnam’s green motorbikes
In the latest episode of World Reframed, hosts Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei turn their attention to the growing generational divide in African politics and efforts to tackle pollution in Southeast Asia.
The Generation Gap in African Politics
They dived into the growing generational divide in African leadership, where ageing leaders like Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara and Cameroon’s Paul Biya continue to dominate political power despite a predominantly young population. They reflect on how this disconnect stifles innovation, blocks political renewal, and erodes public trust. The segment questions whether Africa’s youthful population will continue to tolerate this status quo or if a new wave of leadership could reshape the continent’s future.
Vietnam’s Green Motorbike Revolution
The episode also spotlights Vietnam’s plan to ban petrol-powered motorbikes in major cities by 2030 in a bold move to tackle urban pollution. While Vietnam’s streets are filled with two-wheelers, the government is pushing for electric alternatives to improve air quality. The hosts explore how this green shift, despite logistical and economic challenges, could set a precedent for other countries in the Global South facing similar environmental concerns.
Reparations and Colonial Legacies
Reparations for slavery take centre stage as the hosts discuss calls within the Pan-African Parliament to hold former colonial powers accountable for centuries of exploitation. With African countries still paying debts rooted in colonial structures, the discussion highlights the irony of the Global North’s wealth being built on the suffering of the Global South. The segment emphasises the growing momentum behind the reparations movement and its potential to reshape historical narratives and economic justice.
The World's Most Endangered Animals
Turning to biodiversity, the show highlights critically endangered species like the Javan rhino and Amur leopard, many of which are found in the Global South. The conversation challenges Western narratives that paint poorer countries as solely responsible for environmental damage, pointing out that industrialised nations have already depleted much of their own natural ecosystems. The hosts also discuss success stories, like the recovery of mountain gorillas, showing that local conservation efforts can have global impact.
Rethinking Global South Economics
The episode concludes by unpacking what defines the Global South beyond geography. Using data visualisations, the hosts explain how wealth and power are still largely concentrated in the Global North, even as emerging economies like India and China gain prominence. They underscore how colonial legacies, economic imbalances, and new development trends shape global inequality, and why it’s crucial to centre voices from the Global South in these conversations.
🎧 Listen to the episode on all major platforms and join the conversation on how leadership and environmental choices are shaping our shared future.
- World Reframed episode 8: More than a dam
- World Reframed episode 6: Making manners
- World Reframed episode 5: Libya's kingmaker
- World Reframed episode 4: Bolivia's choice
- World Reframed episode 3: splitting BRICS
- World Reframed episode 2: old leaders, young voters
- World Reframed episode 1: security vs democracy
World Reframed is produced in London for Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
