The history of political parties can be traced from the time of the industrial revolutions on the European continent. These started as trade unions to address the exploitation of workers, eliminate monopoly and to advocate for the freedom of speech among others.

Therefore the idea of political parties was imported in Africa by the Western educated elites as a technique of wining independence- These included elite and mass political parties. The elite political parties were dominated by the educated chiefs, working class and based in the urban centers for example the UGCC (united Gold coast convention).

They carried out mobilization of people ranging from the peasants to the elites sensitizing them about the evils of colonialism and the need for independence. For example the C.P.P in Ghana, ANC in South Africa, MNC (Movement National Congress) of Zaire, TANU of Tanzania, among others acted as the mouthpiece agitating for reforms in their respective countries.

Political parties managed to mingle Africans of different ethnic backgrounds in order to foster unity. It should be noted that division among Africans had weakened their independent struggles between 1850's - 1920's, But the emergency of political parties managed to transcend ethnicism as said by Nkrumah.

They also employed the method of positive action in order to pin down the colonialists. These included boycotts and strikes.

The RDA in Ivory Coast carried out hunger strikes and matches by an armed woman.

Political parties also carried out political recruitments in their respective countries.

They also opened up military bases, which were used as buffer zones to launch military on the colonial governments.

Political parties also wedged out guerilla warfare in order to dismantle the colonial empire. ANC in South Africa, ZANLA in Zimbabwe, PAIGC in Guinea-Bissau, FRELIMO in Mozambique and MPLA in Angola.

They also managed to attract international recognition, which enabled them to receive assistance. Liberation movements like FRELIMO, ZANU, MPLA, PAIGC, and ANC got the communists support from countries like USSR, Czechoslovakia, and China.

Political parties also petitioned the colonial government in the bid to bring about meaningful reforms. For example, in 1951, the Tanzanian African Association Mwanza branch petitioned the UN visiting mission entitled "to acquire independence in the near future".

Political parties possessed dynamic and charismatic leaders who were committed to the attainment of independence on the African continent