Into Africa
Into Africa is a podcast by the CSIS Africa Program that features in-depth interviews with policymakers, journalists, academics, and other trailblazers in African affairs. It aims to shatter narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa by highlighting the people and stories shaping cultural, political, and economic trends across the continent. The podcast covers topics such as fearless music activists, savvy tech entrepreneurs, and social disrupters, emphasizing that decisions made in Africa today will shape the world's future.
Episodes
Into Africa: Season One Reflections
In this season finale, we revisit our guests’ reflections on what continues to inspire hope for them. Into Africa will be back on June 18th for its second season. Thank you for listening.
Beyond Aid: Redefining Africa’s Development
The international development and humanitarian landscape in Africa is at an inflection point, driven by a convergence of severe funding cuts, escalated climate and conflict-related crisis, and a necessary, but challenging shift from donor-led relief to locally led, long-term development. The current aid architecture was built for a different era, and this moment of disruption presents an opportun
Emergency Response Rooms and Collective Action in Sudan
In this youth roundtable, Catherine Nzuki, Associate Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program, is joined by two Sudanese scholars to discuss Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of young volunteers delivering food, medicine, and essential services across all eighteen states in Sudan. Noaman Mousa is a political science PhD student at UCLA, where his research focuses on civil wars and
In the Shadows of the Iran War: The Horn of Africa
As the U.S.-Israel-Iran war intensifies, global attention is focused on the Middle East, but a profound geopolitical restructuring is unfolding along the Red Sea. For years, the Horn of Africa has been a critical arena for understanding global geopolitical competition and shifts, and the Iran war is exposing the risks and gaps that analysts had foreshadowed. As international attention and diploma
Pulse Check: The New U.S-Africa Health Deals
Is the new wave of U.S-Africa bilateral health deals a game-changer for African health sovereignty or a step backward for solidarity? With more than a dozen African countries signing nearly $20 billion in bilateral deals by early 2026, the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy is reshaping the future of foreign assistance and global health.
In this episode, Doris Macharia,
Nigeria: Religion, Power, and Peacebuilding
Late last year, the U.S redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a move that reignited fierce global debate and intensified an already complex moment in U.S.–Nigeria relations. U.S. military air strikes on Christmas that targeted an ISIS-affiliated terrorist group in northwest Nigeria, which the U.S. accused of persecuting Christians, further illustrates these complicated and evolv
Sudan: Navigating the World’s Largest Humanitarian Crisis
As the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe enters its third year, international aid is facing drastic reductions. Local and international humanitarian organizations are adapting their strategies to continue delivering lifesaving care to the over 30 million people who urgently need assistance. The recent launch of the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which included contributions from regional and int
Horn of Africa: Conflict, Power, and New Alliances
The Horn of Africa is experiencing a profound, and dangerous geopolitical restructuring. From the war in Sudan, to renewed tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea, to rising security challenges in South Sudan, and Somalia’s governance struggles alongside ripple effects from Somaliland’s bid for international recognition, the region’s internal instability and volatility is reshaping international all
Connecting the Dots: Africa’s Year Ahead
In the first episode of this season, Oge is joined by Fonteh Akum, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), and Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist and Head of Strategy at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, to reflect on the defining moments of 2025 and explore what 2026 may hold for the continent.
While 2025 brought few surprises, it reinforced trends that had long been taking
Into Africa is Back!
Into Africa is back with all-new conversations hosted by Oge Onubogu, senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at CSIS. Tune in starting January 15th for in-depth interviews with journalists, academics, and other trailblazers as we discuss the cultural, political, and economic trends shaping the continent.
Back to basics: Africa’s bid for two permanent UNSC seats (with Amb. Martin Kimani)
Since this episode aired last year, we’re still dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki was joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN).
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Africa’s bid for two perman
Back to basics: Decoding demographics with Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba
Catherine's taking a break this week. In the meantime, we want to reshare one of our essential episodes on demographics. As you all know, by 2050, one in four people will be African. How do demographers reach this conclusion? And how does Africa's population growth intersect with population declines in the Global North?
To answer these questions, Catherine was joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba,
What is sustaining Kenya’s “Gen-Z” protests?
Youth in Kenya have three demands: justice, accountability, and better governance. Over the past two years, “Gen Z” and government critics nationwide have taken to the streets in their thousands to demonstrate their frustrations and anger with the government. In this episode, Chemutai Ruto, a recent graduate of Political Science and Africana Studies, joins Khasai Makhulo, CSIS Africa Program Resea
Conflict, climate, and the internal displacement of 3.7 million Nigerians
Arjun Jain, the UN Refugee Agency’s Representative in Nigeria, joins Catherine Nzuki to discuss the drivers of internal displacement in Nigeria and the daily realities facing displaced communities. They explore how religion and geography shape public perception of the crisis, the capacity of federal and state governments to respond, and the impact of shrinking humanitarian budgets. The conversatio
Chad took in over a million Sudanese refugees. It can't shoulder this crisis alone.
Chad now hosts 1.8 million displaced people, including 1.2 million Sudanese fleeing one of the world’s deadliest conflicts. With 42 percent of its population living below the poverty line, Chad is struggling to provide basic services like food, water, and healthcare for both locals and refugees. In this episode, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa
There’s more African content on streaming. Who’s it for?
African content is booming on global streaming platforms. But as the industry shifts to appeal to Afropolitan elites and international audiences, who gets left behind? In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed, assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell University and the author of Afropolitanizing the local: how cultural imperialism is rewr
Bridging Africa’s Health Financing Crisis
Africa is undergoing a health funding crisis due to overreliance on external aid and a lack of internal investment from African governments. The healthcare sector is 95 percent dependent on external aid for crucial commodities: vaccines, medication, and diagnostic equipment. Africa saw a 41 percent rise in public health emergencies in 2024, highlighting the vulnerability of the health infrastructu
The development sector has changed irrevocably. What comes next?
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Blair Glencorse and Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, co-CEOs of Accountability Lab, to unpack the latest findings from the Global Aid Freeze Tracker. Together, they reflect on the current state of the development sector and explore where the development sector goes from here.
Peter Obi on Leadership with Integrity
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Nigerian presidential candidate, joined Into Africa to discuss his belief that the answer to Nigeria’s persistent challenges lies in the character of its leaders. Obi shared that to restore public trust in Nigeria’s government, leaders need to embody competence, capacity, compassion, and integrity.
Obi joins Mvemba to explore how leaders can be
Cameron Hudson on the internationalization of the Sudan war
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Cameron Hudson, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program. He unpacks the immediate causes of the war, the growing number of regional actors involved in the war, how the entry of foreign actors is changing the dynamics of the conflict, and the unique role the U.S. can play in mediating a peace process.
Cameron Hudson's testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommit
Solving Africa’s Housing Deficit
From rapid urbanization to persistent housing shortages, Africa’s cities are facing immense challenges—and emerging opportunities, including innovative mortgage models, government-backed projects, and rising investor interest in sustainable development. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, to explore how innovative finance, strategic par
Understanding the case for the Africa Credit Rating Agency
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Daniel Cash, Associate Professor in Law at Ashton University. He specializes in the study of the international credit rating agencies. They discuss the “Big Three” credit rating agencies, why they have been accused of biases against Africa, and the impact that sovereign credit ratings have on outcomes for young people. Dr. Cash explains why the Africa Credit Ratin
The Afropolitan is now the Youth Bloom podcast!
But not much else has changed: Catherine Nzuki is (still) your host, and by 2050, one in four people in the world are still expected to be African.
Thank you all very much for supporting this podcast. We are back this Thursday, May 15, with a new episode on the case for an African credit rating agency.
The Congo, the Cold War, and Capitol Hill
From Cold War dynamics to legislative debates, U.S. foreign policy toward Africa has been shaped by complex historical, political, and institutional factors. In his memoir From the Congo to Capitol Hill, Steve Weissman recounts his experiences as a young professor in the Congo and later as a congressional staffer engaged in foreign policy and human rights advocacy.
In this episode, Mvemba is joi
Coffee Chat with Catherine: Unofficial Tips for Internships
Darrel Lloyd, CSIS Africa Program Intern, joins Catherine Nzuki for an informal discussion on internships. Catherine shares her background (2:10), tips on think tank internship applications (6:10), engaging with the African diaspora (10:59); interviews (14:27), networking (18:57); social media (22:55); building research skills (24:50); and how to stand out during your internship (28:00). Darrel sh
Navigating Africa’s Environmental Dilemma
Africa stands at the forefront of the global climate crisis, facing extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and biodiversity loss—despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As debates intensify over carbon credit agreements, oil exploration in the Congo Basin, and the role of Africa in shaping global climate policy, questions remain about how the continent can advoc
Best Of: The boomers in Mali getting their news from TikTok
The Afropolitan will be taking a brief hiatus to re-envision its next steps. Stay tuned for an exciting new chapter!
In the meantime, we're sharing our very first episode from October, which focused on how older people in Mali are consuming news on TikTok, and why this symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Count
Advancing Change in Nigeria: Advocacy in Action
What does it take to influence meaningful change in Nigeria’s governance landscape?
In this episode of Into Africa, Udo Ilo, author of It Is Impossible: Influencing Change in Nigeria, joins to explore the complex landscape of social and political change in Nigeria. Drawing on his extensive experience in governance reform, civic engagement, and social innovation, Udo offers valuable insights into
Accra’s housing crisis is forcing young people to delay the traditional milestones of adulthood.
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Naa Laryea, a software engineer living in Accra. She walks us through what apartment hunting is like in Accra, why some landlords ask for a year or two years’ worth of rent up front, and the causes of the housing crisis in Accra.
Nelson C.J., West Africa Correspondent at OkayAfrica, joins the Afropolitan and zooms out to discuss the common drivers of the housing crunc
Africa at a Crossroads: The 2025 African Union Summit
Since its founding, the African Union (AU) has positioned itself as a unifying force for economic integration, conflict resolution, and continental self-determination. However, recent developments—including interstate tensions and shifting global dynamics—have raised questions about the organization’s effectiveness and direction. When the 2025 AU Summit convened in February 2025, critical discussi
The think tank making impact evaluation skills accessible to every Tanzanian
We traditionally think of impact evaluation as an academic or technical skill. The Impact Evaluation (IE) Lab at the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a think tank in Dar es Salaam, is working to change that.
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Constantine Manda, the co-founder and inaugural Director of the IE Lab at ESRF, and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University
Finding Paths to Sustainable Development in Africa
The ONE Campaign, originally founded as Debt AIDS Trade for Africa (DATA) in 2004, is a global advocacy organization dedicated to driving investments and creating economic opportunities in Africa. Over the past 20 years, ONE has continually evolved to address the continent’s most pressing challenges, ensuring its work remains relevant and impactful. ONE advocates for justice and equity in Africa’s
The new Alliance of Sahel States and the future of Africa’s legacy institutions
Three West African countries - Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso - have finalized their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Another thing they have in common? All three countries are under junta rule after military coups that took place in recent years. They have since formed their own union - the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Why have these three countries exited ECO
Africa’s Narrative Revolution
Yinka Adegoke, editor of Semafor Africa, joined Into Africa to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape across the continent. While African media has a long history, dating back to the pre-independence era, it has traditionally been focused on national issues rather than Pan-African topics. As a result, many Africans rely on foreign news sources to stay informed about neighboring countries, re
DeepSeek’s AI is cheap. Is this a game-changer for African startups?
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation in the Governance Studies program at Brookings and a recent computer science Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University.
Dr. Okolo provides an overview of Africa’s AI industry (1:54); DeepSeek and what it means for AI startups (6:40); common misconceptions about AI development (7:54); how to make AI saf
Power, Politics, and Peace in Somalia
Somalia has undergone significant transformations, evolving through three republics. The current federal system, which was established in 2000 through the Djibouti settlement, is based on a parliamentary model, democratic system, clan power-sharing, and regional autonomy. However, recent moves by President Mohamud’s administration to shift toward a more centralized presidential system have sparked
The fallout of the U.S. aid freeze in Washington, Abuja, and beyond
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Andrew Friedman, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Human Rights Initiative. They discuss the scale of USAID’s work around the world, the immediate impacts of this aid freeze, and USAID's shaky future.
Samuel Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, joins the Afropolitan to unpack how his organization and others around Africa are impacted by the U.S. aid freeze. They also d
AFRICOM at 17: Shaping U.S.-Africa Relations
On any given day, there are 2,500-3,000 United States Army personnel in Africa undertaking a variety of engagements with their African counterparts.
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established in October 2007, making it just over 17 years old—close to the age of majority. AFRICOM undertakes security exercises, civil affairs initiatives, and key leader engagements, among other activities. AF
The festivities and frustrations of ‘detty December’
The December festive season in Nigeria, commonly referred to as ‘detty December’ have captured the world’s attention. Lagos alone brought in $71.6m in tourism revenue in December 2024, according to the Lagos State Government. How are locals faring with the influx of tourists in a tough economy?
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Oluwatomisin Amokeoja, a journalist with Forbes Africa, to give an overvie
The Reporter’s Note: Observations on U.S. Africa Policy
As 2025 begins, Africa confronts significant challenges to its growth and development. Instability in the Sahel highlights the waning influence of ECOWAS and France’s diminished military presence, while conflicts in Eastern DRC are intensified by Rwanda and Uganda’s backing of the M23 rebel group. In Sudan, the U.S. has recognized the severity of the crisis through a genocide declaration and sanct
Decoding demographics with Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau and one of the foremost experts in the field of political demography.
Dr. Sciubba breaks down how demographers project future populations and the drivers of population growth. They discuss the limited window to take advantage of Africa’s demographic dividend, the population decline debate in
Africa’s bid for two permanent UNSC seats (with Amb. Martin Kimani)
This holiday season, we’re dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki is joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN).
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Africa’s bid for two permanent seats on the UN Sec
The Fight Against HIV and Gender-Based Violence
This December 1st, Project HOPE was among the many organizations commemorating World AIDS Day as well as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Over two decades, significant progress in HIV control, particularly in Africa, has been achieved through initiatives like President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since 2003, PEPFAR has enabled over 20 million people to access a
Africa spends more on servicing debt than on health care. How did we get here?
According to Debt Justice and Christian Aid, 34 African countries spend more on external debt payments than on health or education. Seriously, how did we get here? Tim Jones (Policy Director at Debt Justice UK) walks us through the causes of Africa's debt crisis, its impact, and how it can be fixed.
Tim is the co-author of the report "Between Life and Debt" by Christian Aid and Debt Justice UK.
A behind-the-scenes tour of Afrobarometer, Africa's leading survey research organization.
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Joseph Asunka, PhD, CEO of Afrobarometer, the leading source of public attitude data in Africa. Together, they discuss Afrobarometer's rise, its meticulous survey research methods, and case studies showcasing the policy impact of its data in Ghana, Malawi, and Botswana. They also discuss the difficulties of conducting surveys in conflict-afflicted or fragile contexts a
Internal Challenges: Ghana’s Security Landscape
Ghana has long been viewed internationally as a regional leader in democracy, particularly notable given its challenging neighborhood bordering the Sahel states. Although cross-border security challenges persist, Ghana has not experienced terrorist attacks from al-Qaeda–affiliated JNIM, though its northern region remains vulnerable. Instead, Ghana’s security apparatus faces significant internal ch
Trump has won a second term. What does his victory mean for U.S.-Africa policy?
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele (CSIS Africa Director and Senior Fellow) and Cameron Hudson (Africa Program Senior Fellow) for a discussion on what President-Elect Donald Trump's second term would mean for the U.S. approach to Africa, and how African capitals may be strategizing for his second term.
Rwanda's Strained Relations with Neighbours
Rwanda has endured a series of destabilizing moments that have shaped its complex history and relations with neighboring countries. Colonial rule set the stage for ethnic divisions that worsened under post-colonial governments, leading to the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide. Following the genocide, Rwanda's rapid reconstruction transformed it into an economic success story. However, longstanding te
The boomers in Mali getting their news from TikTok
The story of older people in Mali who consume news on TikTok symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of
Introducing The Afropolitan Podcast
The CSIS Africa Program is excited to announce the launch of The Afropolitan, a podcast hosted by Catherine Nzuki, Associate Fellow with the Africa Program. The Afropolitan is dedicated to exploring Africa’s growing influence on the global stage. By 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African. Africa will increasingly drive key aspects of the future—from the global workforce and cutting
Youth Voices: The New Wave of Kenyan Activism
Youth movements have become a powerful catalyst for demanding change across Africa. Kenya’s #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests emerged in June 2024 as a response to a controversial finance bill that included significant tax hikes. Despite violent police crackdowns resulting in over 60 deaths, the movement successfully pressured President Ruto to withdraw the bill and dismiss several cabinet members.
Botswana Beyond Diamonds
Botswana, known for its political stability and diamond-rich economy, has made significant strides since independence in 1966, particularly in education and health. Beneath the surface of political stability and dazzling achievements, a vibrant civil society is actively striving to tackle the nation's most urgent challenges including youth unemployment, issues of identity and representation, press
Security and Governance in Nigeria
Mvemba is joined by Kemi Okenyondo, the Founder/Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria, to discuss accountability for Nigeria's military and police and security issues in the country.
Fostering Transformative Leadership: The Mandela Washington Fellowship
Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) brings together an annual cohort of established African youth leaders for an immersive six-week leadership program at U.S. colleges and universities. The fellowship culminates in a summit where participants network and engage in high-level workshops. MWF is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, designed t
Rethinking U.S.-Africa Strategy
Engaging with the dynamic and rapidly evolving development landscape in Africa presents a complex challenge. Historically, global powers have treated Africa as a tool for extraction and a pawn in geopolitical struggles, from colonialism to the Cold War. However, with the growth of Africa and the world shifting into a multipolar era, the U.S. finds its policies and engagement with Africa unfit for
Building Africa’s Digital Future
The African continent faces several unique challenges that increase its vulnerability to cyber-attacks: a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, outdated software, lack of digital literacy among individuals, and struggles with personal data protection. While digital accessibility is on the rise in Africa, 60 percent of Africans (about 700 million people) remain unconnected to the internet. Digit
Partnerships for Peace: The Global Fragility Act
In 2019, the U.S. Congress passed the bipartisan Global Fragility Act (GFA), approving up to $200 million annually for prevention and stabilization efforts in target countries and regions, including Mozambique, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo. The GFA aims to strengthen fragile states, described by the Department of State as those "where state weakness or failure would magnify threat
The Hidden Genius Project
Youth engagement in the Black and African diaspora stands as a foundational pillar in elevating our communities. The Hidden Genius Project was founded in Oakland, California in 2012 with the goal of revealing the true potential of black male youth. The mission is to develop quality, confident, and healthy young people who can lead. The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors their geniuses in tec
Young and Radical
While African youth make up over 70% of the population on the continent, the institutions present are not fit for their participation and representation in government. This is exemplified by the fact that although African youth rely on the informal sector for employment, institutions cater to the formal sector. The youth, therefore, expend time and energy and work in survivalist modes which limit
Understanding the DRC’s Governance Structure
Whenever the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) makes the headlines, it appears that the challenges the nation is facing are only multiplying. From the escalating conflict in Eastern DRC to what is being called an attempted coup in Kinshasa the question remains: how will the largest sub-Saharan African nation overcome its complex challenges? Governance. Analysts point to weak and uninspired go
That’s A Great Question!
After more than three decades of experience as a media entrepreneur, Claude Grunitzky’s passion for telling the authentic stories of Africans has only expanded. While perceptions and narratives of Africa have slightly shifted, the Western gaze on Africa has not. Limitless Africa is “the podcast that asks the questions that matter to Africa” through speaking with strong voices that promote the futu
Into the Africa Land Forces Summit
Since 2018, senior leaders from land forces across Africa, the United States, and other partner nations have met to strengthen their relationships, exchange information, and encourage cooperation at the Africa Land Forces Summit (ALFS). This marked the 5th anniversary of the summit, which was hosted in Livingstone, Zambia with the theme “Regional Solutions to Transnational Problems”. 25 different
The Twists and Turns of U.S.- Tanzania Bilateral Relations
After attaining independence in 1961, the United Republic of Tanzania became instrumental in liberation movements throughout Africa. Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president, established the ideology of Ujamaa (African socialism) as Tanzania’s political, social, and economic ideology. At the time of independence, the US established diplomatic ties with Tanzania and Nyerere had a close relationsh
From a Jail Cell to the Presidential Palace
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is not only Senegal’s youngest elected president but also the youngest democratically elected president in Africa. At 44- years old there is a lot of expectation resting on Faye and his mentor Ousmane Sonko as they take the reins after an election run-up that was nothing short of dramatic. Since 2021, protests against former president Macky Sall have left more than
The State of Eight: Challenges Facing the East Africa Community
Since 2022, the East Africa Community (EAC) has expanded to include two new partner states, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia, bringing its membership up to eight partner states. Each nation admitted to the bloc brings its own set of challenges but also expands the opportunities and avenues for cooperation in the region. The EAC has been strong in providing economic opportunities
Project Hope: Improving Maternal Health in Sierra Leone
“Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian aid non-governmental organization founded by Dr. William B. Walsh in 1958. Their first operations in Africa began in the mid-1960s in Guinea; and since then, they have reached 13 countries in Africa.
Project Hope began its work in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola Epidemic to help comba
AFCON and the Power of Unity
For a brief moment, it appeared as though all attention had shifted to the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the tournament gained global attention. The game saw the participation of 24 out of 54 countries in the tournament, hosted by the reigning champions, Côte d’Ivoire, from January to early February 2024.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been hosted in various African nations for
Mali: Between the Lines
Amidst political, economic, and security issues Malians continue to seek justice and reconciliation to restore peace in their country. Since 2012, the Malian government has been engaged in a war against the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MLNA) who intend to secede the Northern region of Mali. Additionally, Mali has experienced 8 attempted coups with 5 of them being successful sinc
Breaking Up with ECOWAS
More than 80% of African countries have experienced coups since the 1950s. The occurrence of coups can be seen as a reaction to poor governance that is unresponsive to the needs of the people. Regional and international responses to this “unconstitutional” seizure of power belittles and condescends coup leaders hence ostracizing and condemning already fragile nations without addressing the drivers
How to Speak about Africa
Youth, technology, and creativity are nurtured and bloom in Africa. These experiences are often diminished in Western media, skewing the understanding of the pace and dynamism of the continent. The youth leverage technology for entrepreneurship, cultural mobilization, political activism, and as a means to share their passions through art. The Roger Muntu Show bridges the gap between Western perspe
The Promises of COP 28
On the heels of the Africa Climate Summit, the United Nations hosted COP28 in Dubai where world governments discussed how to prepare for and address climate change. The two-week conference culminated with both optimism and pessimism from the participants. Optimism rose from agreements like the Loss and Damage Fund and innovative food systems that tackle food insecurity on the continent. Previous p
Peaceful Transitions, Close Elections, and Voting Trends in Liberia
On November 17th, 2023, President George Weah gracefully conceded to President-elect Joseph Boakai, who secured victory with a narrow margin of just 1.28% in votes. The electoral process was not only marked by a closely contested run-off but also had a first run of twenty candidates. This concession underscores Liberia's positive democratic trajectory and political stability. Furthermore, Presiden
Angola’s Paradox of Abundance
Oil and diamonds typically hint towards a strong and robust economy. However, there is a noticeable disconnect between the mineral richness of Angola and the lack of Foreign Direct Investment. This incongruity lingers, although the nation’s civil war ended in 2002, because the reconciliation process has not addressed the core issues that caused the war. Foreign investor and local stakeholder engag
Taking Africa's Pulse with Afrobarometer
Although data is a powerful tool in decision-making, data collection and production in Africa have proven to miss the mark in pattern prediction. Afrobarometer is a Pan- African, non-partisan, non-profit research network with headquarters in Ghana that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, the economy, and society in Africa. Dr. Joseph Asunka, the CEO of Afrobarometer, speaks
Cooking Up a Storm from Dakar to Brooklyn
Yes, Chef! Mvemba is joined by Pierre Thiam, a renowned chef, author, and social activist. Hailing from Senegal, Chef Thiam is best known for bringing West African cuisine to the global fine-dining world. Chef Thiam and Mvemba discuss making it in the fine dining world in New York City, the stunning diversity of food from the continent, finding inspiration in tradition, the miracle grain "fonio" a
CorpsAfrica: Peace Corps by and for Africans
Modeled after the Peace Corps, CorpsAfrica empowers African youth to work with local communities, emphasizing local ownership, collaboration, and participatory development. CorpsAfrica founder comments, “We’re creating a second Peace Corps, by and for Africans”. The organization aims to create a lasting impact by addressing community needs through a transformative and scalable model. Volunteers wo
A Look Inside the First Africa Climate Summit
For too long Africa’s role in the fight against climate change has been overlooked and underestimated. While world leaders and non-governmental organizations have tried to address the challenge, both sustainable solutions and actions have not been seen on the continent. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit brought together indigenous activists, African youth, and civil society organizations to disc
Nine Coups in Three Years
Burkina Faso (twice). Chad. Gabon. Guinea. Mali (twice). Niger. Sudan. The recent spate in coups has forced many to pause and ask difficult questions. Has democracy failed? Why do a minority of citizens support or tolerate military rule, and what does this backing say about the ineffectiveness of their previous governments?
Kamissa Camara, Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace a
Assessing Tinubu’s First 150 Days in Office
Mvemba is joined by Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Center based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. They assess President Bola Tinubu's 150 days in office, the economic challenges faced by the Tinubu administration, and Nigeria’s oil economy. They also discuss Nigeria's leadership in ECOWAS and how it has impacted the regional bloc's response to the Niger
Bobi Wine on Youth Movements and Liberation
Mvemba is joined by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, to discuss youth movements' challenges in Africa, reflecting on his journey as a presidential candidate in the 2021 Uganda general elections. They highlight the challenges African youth movements face in pursuing democratic change. Mvemba and Bobi Wine dive into why democracy is crumbling in some African countries. Bobi W
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