Advancing Management Knowledge and Practice in Africa: A Decolonial Perspective

Colonialism in Africa has significantly shaped the continent’s institutional, economic, and organisational development, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence contemporary management practices. Despite Africa’s rich cultural and epistemological diversity, mainstream management paradigms remain dominated by Eurocentric frameworks that marginalise Indigenous knowledge systems and local realities. This chapter critically examines the colonial underpinnings of management theories and highlights the enduring impact of imposed Western bureaucratic models. Drawing on decolonial theory, postcolonial critique, and relevant decolonial concepts, the chapter reveals how colonial legacies persist in shaping knowledge production and organisational practices in Africa. It advocates for the integration of Indigenous epistemologies and philosophies into management education and practice. By employing Indigenous and postcolonial methodologies, the chapter proposes actionable strategies and policy recommendations to decolonise management research, reframe academic curricula, and reclaim African agency in the global management discourse.