A rhetorical emphasis has accompanied the resurgence of Afrocapitalism as a development paradigm in Africa on African ownership, agency, and self-determination. However, beneath this rhetoric lies a complex web of power dynamics, interests, and ideologies that shape the political economies of African countries. This qualitative, desktop, and critical discourse analysis research aims to unpack the neopatrimonial, dictatorial, and authoritarian tendencies in African political economies and to examine how these tendencies intersect with and undermine the rhetoric of Afrocapitalism. Using a critical discourse analysis framework, this research analyzes the language, policies, and practices of Afrocapitalist proponents, including African governments, businesses, and international organizations. The findings reveal that Afrocapitalism is often characterized by neopatrimonial tendencies, where personal relationships and patronage networks shape economic decision-making; dictatorial tendencies, where authoritarian leaders and regimes consolidate power and control over economic resources; and autocratic tendencies, where dissenting voices and opposition are suppressed. The research concludes that the rhetoric of Afrocapitalism often masks the underlying power dynamics and interests that shape African political economies. To address these challenges, this research recommends that policymakers and practitioners in Africa prioritize the development of inclusive, democratic, and accountable institutions that can promote equitable economic growth and development. Ultimately, this requires moving beyond the rhetoric of Afrocapitalism and toward a more nuanced understanding of the complex power dynamics and interests that shape African political economies.