In an interview with L'Express on 14 May 2026, historian and political scientist Achille Mbembe shared his views on the geopolitics of innovation and Africa's strategic positioning. According to him, in an increasingly fragmented world, it is essential to reintegrate African island states into the continent's political vision. He notably stated that an Africa cut off from its islands is a profoundly diminished Africa. He also emphasized the need for African diplomacy to reinvent its approach by relying on: social innovation; diaspora networks; new forms of knowledge and talent circulation.