Programs

The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center promotes dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and helps redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

Content

EnergySource

Apr 23, 2025

Illicit mineral supply chains fuel the DRC’s M23 insurgency 

By Clarkson Kamurai, Brad Handler, and Morgan Bazilian

The illicit trade of mined materials is fueling the M23 insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), threatening regional stability and hindering development. As the United States considers a minerals-for-security agreement with the DRC, international engagement, ethical sourcing practices, and strengthened oversight are critical to fostering long-term peace in this resource-rich region.

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2025

The US must sustain counterterrorism operations in Somalia—the costs of retreat are too high

By Danielle Cosgrove and Doug Livermore

To maintain a foothold in East Africa’s security architecture, the US must prioritize continuity, including keeping the US embassy in Mogadishu open.

Africa Crisis Management

Report

Apr 16, 2025

Navigating the US-PRC tech competition in the Global South

By Cole McFaul, Peter Engelke

A landscape report analyzing China's strategic tech engagements with the Global South and how the US can compete.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

MENASource

Apr 16, 2025

Solving Libya’s economic collapse will require confrontation—not consensus

By Emadeddin Badi

If the status quo continues, the next phase of Libya’s crisis will not be quiet erosion. It will be public revolt.

Africa Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Apr 10, 2025

African leaders must not miss their chance to jumpstart the continent’s business environment this May

By Anthony Manga

As Africa navigates a shifting global landscape, the private sector must help develop strategies that reduce external dependency, enhance regional collaboration, and prioritize sustainable investment.

Africa Economy & Business

MENASource

Apr 9, 2025

Why it’s time to terminate the UN’s dysfunctional mission in Western Sahara

By Sarah Zaaimi

Only way out of fifty-year colonial impasse may be outside the United Nations and its legacy of failure for the Sahraoui people.

International Norms International Organizations

AfricaSource

Mar 31, 2025

How Trump could upend global finance—and how the world might respond

By Ferid Belhaj

Concerns are growing—particularly among policymakers and experts in “New South” countries—about the direction in which the international financial system is heading.

Africa Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Mar 27, 2025

Prioritizing access to critical minerals will require prioritizing Africa

By Benjamin Mossberg

Access to critical minerals is an urgent national security issue. The United States must view investments in African energy, mineral, and mining—key to securing this access—with similar importance.

Africa Energy & Environment
Canada flag waving in Ottawa.

Issue Brief

Mar 27, 2025

Canada needs an economic statecraft strategy to address its vulnerabilities

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

To address threats from Russia and China and reduce trade overdependence on the United States, Canada’s federal government will need to consolidate economic power and devise an economic statecraft strategy that will leverage Canada’s economic tools to mitigate economic threats and vulnerabilities.

China Cybersecurity

AfricaSource

Mar 21, 2025

In the scramble for Africa’s critical minerals, the West must not abandon the ESG agenda

By Zainab Usman and Rama Yade

As this race for minerals and metals critical for the energy transition heats up, both companies and governments must not abandon environmental, social, and governance principles in Africa.

Africa Energy & Environment

Experts