Introduction

This chapter lays the foundation for this book, presents the background, engages existing studies on the subject matter, and provides a working definition and an overview of the major themes. It highlights the shortcomings of the major soft power indices – The Soft Power 30 and Global Soft Power Index – and submits that the Global Soft Power Index is more acceptable in the African context as it captures the soft power capacity of few African states. The chapter further provides justification for the book’s four case studies and explores the scholarship on the soft power of these countries which represent the key sub-regions in Africa. It concludes with an outline of the approach and content of the book.