Africa

Africa

A continent of fifty-four nations, Africa holds vast opportunity and promise. Its 1.2 billion population is expected to double by 2050 and become the world’s largest region. Alongside this demographic boom, Africa is home to almost half the world’s fastest-growing economies as its leaders are taking steps to expand the movement of goods, people, and capital within the continent. Demand for democracy is high and protest movements have proven that citizen activism can unseat consolidated African strongmen.

Explore
Rethinking Eritrea

Econographics Mar 10, 2026

The renminbi is winning over Africa—but can it rival the dollar?

By Lize de Kruijf

In recent years, African governments have taken steps to reduce reliance on the dollar, but progress on their regional payment system has been slow—and in the meantime, China’s renminbi is quietly making inroads across Africa’s trade and finance networks.
Africa China
Rethinking Eritrea

Dispatches Mar 3, 2026

How a crisis over a stockpile of uranium created an opening for US reengagement in Niger

By Adal Rhoubeid and Maureen Farrell

The recent failed coup in Benin has had the unintended consequence of creating a path forward for US reengagement in the Sahel.
East Africa Nuclear Energy
Rethinking Eritrea

AfricaSource Feb 24, 2026

In Guinea, the US has a rare opportunity to gain an edge over China

By Rose Keravuori, Maureen Farrell

Guinea’s democratic transition and mineral riches put it center stage in US-China competition. The United States now has a rare chance to align investment, security, and governance to secure strategic influence in West Africa.
Critical Minerals North & West Africa

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.

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Content

Event Recap

Dec 8, 2016

Rethinking Eritrea

By Africa Center

On Thursday, December 8, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center launched two new publications on Eritrea. The first, Eritrea’s Economy: Ideology and Opportunity, authored by fragile states expert Seth Kaplan, examines the nexus between the ideology of Eritrea’s leadership and the country’s struggling economy. The second, Eritrea: Coming In from the Cold, authored by Africa Center […]

Africa East Africa

In the News

Dec 8, 2016

Pham Quoted by Business Daily on Forging Closer Ties with African Allies

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Africa

In the News

Dec 8, 2016

Charai in The National Interest: Why Donald Trump Should Focus on Africa

By Atlantic Council

Africa

Issue Brief

Dec 7, 2016

Eritrea: Coming in from the cold

By Bronwyn Bruton

trea has long been stigmatized as a regional “spoiler” by Washington, and despite little evidence of wrongdoing, the country remains under Security Council sanctions for supporting terrorist groups in Somalia.

Africa Civil Society

Report

Dec 7, 2016

Eritrea’s economy: Ideology and opportunity

By Seth Kaplan

Eritrea is often in the news for all the wrong reasons: its high rates of migration to Europe (it has sent more refugees to Europe in recent years than any other African nation), its conflicts with neighboring Ethiopia and Djibouti, and controversy over its mandatory and indefinite national service conscription program. Human rights activists, in […]

Africa East Africa

Issue Brief

Dec 7, 2016

Eritrea: Coming in from the cold

By Bronwyn Bruton

Eritrea has long been stigmatized as a regional “spoiler” by Washington, and despite little evidence of wrongdoing, the country remains under Security Council sanctions for supporting terrorist groups in Somalia. Now is the time to rethink that relationship, argues Atlantic Council Africa Center Deputy Director Bronwyn Bruton in a new issue brief entitled “Eritrea: Coming […]

Africa Civil Society

In the News

Dec 7, 2016

Pham Quoted by Morocco World News on the US-Morocco Relationship

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Morocco

Event Recap

Dec 6, 2016

A measured US strategy for the new Africa

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, December 6, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, in coordination with the Brent Scowcroft Center’s Strategy Initiative, launched the latest Atlantic Council Strategy Paper, “A Measured US Strategy for the New Africa,” authored by Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham, with a foreword by General James L. Jones, […]

Africa English

In the News

Dec 6, 2016

Pham Quoted by Gendai Business on South Sudan

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

East Africa

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Dec 6, 2016

A measured US strategy for the new Africa

By Dr. J. Peter Pham

Africa’s story is increasingly one of economic dynamism that is driven, in part, by political reform and improvements in governance. But, there are also very real security, humanitarian, and developmental challenges that remain to be confronted. The United States has a stake in helping to tackle these challenges, not least because it is in its own national interest to do so.

Africa East Africa
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Experts

Millennium fellow

David Bargueño

Deputy Counselor for Environment, Science, Technology, and Health, US Embassy Brazil, United States Department of State

Millennium Leadership Program

Americas Energy & Environment

Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Disinformation

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Kymberly Bays

Director of Global Communications, CrossBoundary Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Emilie Bel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Richard K. Bell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Abdoul Salam Bello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals