MALAYSIA - AFRICA RELATIONS: EMERGING TRENDS

Nations as actors in the international arena reveal national policies and the dimensions of their operations define world culture, stratification (wealth, power and prestige) and classes. Malaysia had been in contact with African societies prior to her colonial experience. Africa, especially, the Southern and Eastern parts had strong economic and cultural ties with the Indian Ocean communities many years preceding the coming of the Europeans. Evidently, the influence of colonial powers further facilitated economic and trade between certain parts of Africa and Malay Archipelago. This article discusses the historical narratives of these ties and the emerging trends in various spheres of her inter-Continental relations that suffer neglect today in the context of Malaysia’s relations with the region.