Corporate Power and State Weakness: The Role of Multinational Corporations in Undermining African Policy Autonomy

Abstract

This paper explores the role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in sabotaging policy independence in African countries in terms of institutional vulnerability and unequal power dynamics. The main aims are to examine how corporate influence operates at the most important fields, how it affects democratic governance and economic sovereignty, and how it is possible to resist it and reform their policies. The research locates corporate power in the context of the bigger global and historical political and economic processes based on dependency theory, neocolonialism, and the state autonomy models. Empirical data is based on extractive industries, digital economy, taxation and environmental governance in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Kenya. The results indicate that MNCs use regulatory capture, tax evasion, and legal tools to influence policy settings to benefit corporate goals, undermining state authority and corporate responsibility. The emergence of technology companies also makes sovereignty even more difficult by dominating data control and digital infrastructure. In spite of such obstacles, the mobilization of civil society, and regional cooperation efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can show the ways of regaining policy space. The paper finds that the issue of corporate dominance is to be dealt with through complex reforms such as tougher legal regulations, greater fiscal capacity, convergence of policy at the regional level, and the empowerment of civil actors. It recommends renegotiation of investment treaties, countering illegal financial flows and following the example of Global South to bolster the developmental sovereignty of the African states. The study can help comprehend relationships between corporations and the state in Africa and provide effective opportunities in order to enhance the autonomy of policy and sustainable development.