We regret to inform you that this event has been postponed. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your interest in the Atlantic Council’s events.

The War in Ukraine has caused a geopolitical shift of resources around the world. This war has exacerbated food insecurity, climate preparedness, security and human rights violations, and created global supply chain disruption. Furthermore, resources that were once pledged to Africa were rerouted to help combat the war in Ukraine.

In the meantime, the war has opened the door to new trade opportunities, especially in the energy sector, for the African continent as a powerful alternative. The purpose of this meeting is to convene key decision makers who are neighbors to Africa, from Europe and the Middle East to discuss with leaders of African development institutions in thoughtful dialogue on their cooperation and to inform the stakeholders about their priorities.

However, African expectations go beyond covering the current needs (lands, mineral resources, and energy) of its allies. In order to foster the long-term industrial transformation of the continent, President Macky Sall of Senegal, as Chairman of the AU, has called on Africa’s development partners to agree to a renegotiation of the terms of the current multilateral system in light of shocks dealt to the global economy by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian War on Ukraine.

Earlier this year, the US Secretary of Treasury, Hon. Janet Yellen advocated for international finance reform of the Britton Woods Institutions. The event offers an opportunity to discuss these historic proposals on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Fall Meetings.

Keynote Remarks

Jutta Urpilainen
Commissioner
European Union International Partnerships

Admassu Tadesse
President
The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank

Moderators

Amb. Rama Yade
Senior Director, Africa Center
Atlantic Council

Josh Lipsky
Senior Director, GeoEconomics Center
Atlantic Council

AfricaSource Aug 30, 2022

Inaction to reform the international development system is not an option anymore

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Africans are looking at the United States’ focus on the war in Ukraine and on tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and they’re wondering: Will the United States truly consider African countries as strategic partners as China and Russia claim to do?

Africa International Financial Institutions

AfricaSource Jun 16, 2022

Better data is the key to unlocking major investment in Africa

By Tom Koch

As COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine continue to hurt the African continent, many countries will require significant investment to revitalize their economies. But a persistent attribute of many African markets will continue to be a barrier to private investment: a relative lack of data. This drives up diligence costs, creates difficulties in valuing assets, […]

Africa Digital Policy

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“Inequality starts at the top”: Voting reforms in Bretton Woods Institutions

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Full democratization of BWIs is not realistic. A more pragmatic approach would work towards a “double majority” system.

Africa Americas

The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

Learn more