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.

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The crisis in northern Mali

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
The crisis in northern Mali

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
The crisis in northern Mali

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

May 31, 2012

The crisis in northern Mali

By Africa Center

The Atlantic Council’s Michael S. Ansari Africa Center, in partnership with the Carnegie Middle East Program, hosted a discussion on The Crisis in Northern Mali: Implications for a Region in Flux at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace earlier today. Speaking on the panel moderated by Ansari Center director J. Peter Pham were Rudolph Atallah, […]

Crisis Management Sahel

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2012

In Sudan, Give War a Chance

By Gerard Prunier

Less than a year after South Sudan declared its independence, it appears headed for war once again with its northern neighbor, Sudan. At the same time, marginalized northerners are rebelling against the government of Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The international community has called for a cease-fire and peace talks, but the return of violence […]

East Africa Sudan

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2012

An Incomplete Justice

By Peter Pham

The verdict delivered Thursday against Charles G. Taylor for crimes against humanity ends a saga that began on Christmas Eve 1989, when Mr. Taylor and a group of Libyan-trained followers invaded Liberia, igniting a regional conflagration that eventually engulfed parts of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. Although Mr. Taylor’s conviction, by a special tribunal […]

North & West Africa

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2012

The EU’s Misguided Move to Fight Pirates Onshore

By James Bridger

When confronting the crisis of Somali piracy, the preferred strategy of the international community has been to deploy naval vessels to protect vulnerable ships and deter and disrupt pirate attacks. The refrain that ‘the solution to piracy lies onshore’ is oft heard, but counter-piracy actors, including the US, the EU, and NATO, have been slow […]

European Union International Organizations

External

Apr 20, 2012

IntelBrief: Somalia – The Next Chapter in an Endless War

By Bronwyn Bruton

In the second of the new series of “IntelBriefs” on African security issues being produced by the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center in partnership with the Soufan Group, an international strategic consultancy, Ansari Center deputy director Bronwyn Bruton notes that while life has been improving for the residents of Mogadishu after five years of war and […]

East Africa
Getting Zimbabwe (and Africa) Back on Track

Event Recap

Apr 19, 2012

Getting Zimbabwe (and Africa) Back on Track

By Adrienne Chuck

The Atlantic Council’s Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a discussion with the Right Honourable Tendai Biti, MP, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), on the progress of the country’s economic recovery and moving out of its current political impasse. He also drew out […]

South & Central Africa
Briefing and Discussion on Somali Piracy and Militancy with Stig Jarle Hansen

Event Recap

Apr 6, 2012

Briefing and Discussion on Somali Piracy and Militancy with Stig Jarle Hansen

By Adrienne Chuck

The Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a breakfast briefing and discussion today on Somali piracy and militancy with noted expert Stig Jarle Hansen, Head of the International Relations Program at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) in Ås.

Maritime Security Security & Defense

External

Apr 4, 2012

IntelBrief: Islamists gain ground amid Mali coup

By J. Peter Pham

In a new collaboration, the Atlantic Council’s Michael S. Ansari Africa Center will be occasionally partnering with the Soufan Group, an international strategic consultancy, to make available short timely reports on African security issues as part of the latter’s “IntelBrief” series. The first report, authored by Ansari Center director J. Peter Pham, highlights the challenge […]

North & West Africa Sahel

Event Recap

Apr 3, 2012

Luncheon Colloquium on Africa Strategy with Lieutenant-General Jean-Paul Perruche

By Adrienne Chuck

On April 3, the Michael S. Ansari Africa Center organized a luncheon colloquium today for Lieutenant-General (ret.) Jean-Paul Perruche, research director for Euro-Atlantic security at the French Ministry of Defense’s Institute for Strategic Research-École Militaire (IRSEM) and a member of Atlantic Council’s Strategic Advisors Group, and Maya Kandel, research fellow at IRSEM.

Africa France

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2012

The mess in Mali

By J. Peter Pham

In less than two weeks, the West African nation of Mali has gone from being a rare oasis of democracy and stability to a near failed state whose troubles threaten to ripple across the Sahel where the security situation, always delicate even in the best of times, is especially stressed in the wake of the […]

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Yasmine Abdillahi

Nonresident Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Cybersecurity

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Africa Americas

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict
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Events

Public Event Thu, April 16, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Investing in Africa Forum
Africa Artificial Intelligence Critical Minerals Economy & Business
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