As we come to the end of an unprecedented year for all of mankind, I would like to acknowledge the focus and resilience of all the authors and the administrative team behind this issue of JoNPS. 2020 has been a culmination of many political and economic shifts intensified by a pandemic. The world has watched as health systems in the Global North boggled under the weight of Covid-19, with high death rates and crises management failures. Whereas, the anticipated death toll impact has been significantly less in the Global South, particularly in the African continent. The global nature of the pandemic, the resulting economic and political crises that it precedes requires novel responses, from all leaders and citizens. The world has watched democratic values challenged by events in countries typically promoters of democracy to African states. There is no better time to change our frames and lens than now; to reflect on how the continent can strive forward by looking to use its own resources for the progress of its own people. This December Issue is packed with ideas and analyses from across Africa, which explore critically the challenges and prospects for peace, public service delivery, improved governance, development and nation-building.