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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A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

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 Critical Minerals
A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

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 Critical Minerals
A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

AfricaSource Mar 20, 2025

If the international community wants to curb fossil fuel emissions, it must make Africa a serious clean energy offer

By Neil Ford

Before the international community asks African countries to leave undeveloped fossil fuel resources in the ground, it must make them an offer of clean energy financing—one substantial enough to fund Africa’s current and future appetite for electricity.
Africa Critical Minerals

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.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

African creatives spotlight series

Meet the creatives redefining narratives about Africa and proving why investing in local talent matters.

Explore the series
A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

African creatives Aug 29, 2024

ESPN Host and two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike champions African diaspora engagement through sports and media 

Ogwumike is a Nigerian-American powerhouse redefining the intersection of sports and media and highlighting the important role of the diaspora in shaping the future of the African continent.

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A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

African creatives Jun 7, 2024

Cultural curator Abdul Karim Abdullah elevates African culture from the Bronx to Ghana 

By Africa Center

As founder and chief executive officer of AfroFuture Fest and Culture Management Group, Abdul Karim Abdullah is creating opportunities for the diaspora to celebrate African culture at a festival in West Africa.

Africa Economy & Business
A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

African creatives May 1, 2024

Creative visionary Elroy Fillis-Bell showcases the impact of dance across the continent 

By Africa Center

Joburg Ballet Chief Executive Officer Elroy Fillis-Bell is an advocate for the arts and believes that dance provides a unique way for communities to engage
Africa Economy & Business

Content

Events

May 6, 2022

A conversation with Chidi Blyden, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

Inaugural discussion on “Africa Center Strategic Sessions”, a new series highlighting security and defense matters in Africa, in a context of great powers competition.

Africa Conflict

Event Recap

May 6, 2022

Africa Center’s 2022 Spring Meeting Dialogues

With the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings taking place from April 18th to the 22nd, the Africa Center convened the timely “2022 Spring Meeting Dialogues”, highlighting African views during the strategic gatherings around development matters.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action
Pro-Russia telegram channel circulated what it claimed was proof that Ukraine planned to sell weapons to African countries. (Source: Rezident)

New Atlanticist

Apr 22, 2022

Russian War Report: Forged document claims Ukraine is selling surplus weapons to African countries

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A Kremlin-tied Telegram channel published a forged document claiming that Ukraine was selling surplus weapons to African countries.

Africa Disinformation
Map of the global south in which China uses discourse power.

Report

Apr 20, 2022

China’s discourse power operations in the Global South

By Kenton Thibaut

An overview of China’s discourse power activities in the Global South, including the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It outlines the processes through which China leverages its diplomatic, media, and political positions in these regions to gain influence, and assesses the impacts of these activities for democratic resilience worldwide.

Africa China

In the News

Apr 18, 2022

Darnal in Just Security: How the war in Ukraine illustrates the weakness of US policy in Africa

By Atlantic Council

On April 18, Aude Darnal published an article in Just Security on how the war in Ukraine illustrates the weakness of US policy toward Africa. She argued that Russia’s war in Ukraine has not led to a global front backing the US position. African states are navigating this conflict based on their own interests and […]

Africa Conflict

Econographics

Apr 12, 2022

Economic and financial multilateralism in disarray 

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Multilateral development banks and multilateral financial institutions have grown in number. This could be a blessing and a curse.

Africa Americas

Econographics

Apr 11, 2022

“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

Econographics

Apr 11, 2022

Democratic challenges at Bretton Woods Institutions

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Voting quotas at Bretton Woods Institutions continue reflecting the 1944 power structure, despite significant changes to the global economy.

Africa Americas

AfricaSource

Apr 11, 2022

The days of elite deals in Sudan should be over

By Cameron Hudson

It is not too late for Washington to correct the course on Sudan and help stave off another democracy-delaying elite pact.

Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Reality Check

Apr 6, 2022

Reality Check #11: America’s Indo-Pacific strategy requires tough choices

By Kelly A. Grieco

The Biden administration will need to scrutinize key assumptions and confront hard decisions regarding how to keep ends and means in balance in the Indo-Pacific.

Africa Conflict
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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

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