Not long ago, the continent was the poster child for fast-growing emerging markets, with The Economist declaring in 2011 'Africa Rising' on its cover.

The opulent Palazzo Madama in Rome plays host this week to more than 70 African heads of state, senior government officials and representatives of the African Union and European Union to discuss something of shared importance for the two continents on either side of the Mediterranean: the future of Africa.

While easily derided as yet another talking shop in a European capital cut off from the reality of the challenges faced daily by Africans, it could not come at a more critical moment for the continent.

The series of coups plaguing sub-Saharan Africa -- at least nine attempts in three years -- plus a continent-wide political and economic malaise have prompted some soul-searching.

Across Africa, 22 countries -- including major economies such as South Africa, Senegal and Ghana -- are supposed to hold elections this year, a record. Worryingly, this year's elections are likely to further reveal African voters' deepening dissatisfaction with democracy. Afrobarometer surveys show that more Africans are today dissatisfied with democracy than at any time since 1999.

It's a depressing state of affairs. Not long ago, the continent was the poster child for fast-growing emerging markets, with The Economist declaring in 2011 "Africa Rising" on its...