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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Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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
Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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
Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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
Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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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Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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
Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

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

Engagement Reframed

Mar 24, 2022

Engagement Reframed #5: Deploy America’s secret diplomatic superstars

By Evan Cooper

How the United States can leverage its immense musical talent for diplomatic benefit

Africa Americas

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Darnal at the Chicago Council: The Sahel and Western military assistance in Africa

By Atlantic Council

On March 22, Aude Darnal participated in a panel discussion on the future of the Sahel and Western military assistance in Africa. She advocated for reforming US security sector assistance, a redirection of funding from DoD to DoS, and greater emphasis on supporting locally-led long-term security sector governance and civilian-led initiatives aiming to prevent violent […]

Africa English

In the News

Mar 22, 2022

Lipsky quoted in the Wall Street Journal on global development of CBDCs

Read the full article here.

Africa Digital Currencies

New Atlanticist

Mar 15, 2022

Africa’s sports industry is revving up. It will fuel a generation of young leaders.

By Katherine Golden

Here are highlights from the Africa Center's Sports Business Forum which covered everything from optimizing youth talent across Africa to fostering inclusion in sports.

Africa Economy & Business

Report

Mar 7, 2022

Quel avenir pour le Sahel?

By Richard Cincotta and Stephen Smith

Le Sahel est dans une impasse démographique. S’ils veulent sortir de l’impasse actuelle, les gouvernements sahéliens devront réorienter une partie importante de leurs efforts de développement et moyens financiers vers des politiques et programmes visant à améliorer la condition féminine : en prévenant les mariages et grossesses précoces chez les adolescentes, en promouvant l’éducation des filles et en garantissant la pleine participation des femmes dans tous les secteurs publics et privés, à commencer par les lieux de travail.

Africa Energy & Environment
Facebook logo displayed on a phone screen and Russian flag displayed on a screen in the background.

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2022

Russian Hybrid War Report: Social platforms crack down on Kremlin media as Kremlin demands compliance

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Google, Meta, and Twitter are taking action against Russian state-owned media accounts to limit the spread of harmful information online.

Africa Belarus

In the News

Mar 2, 2022

Sullivan quoted in Al-Monitor on Nile Dam conflict amid Ukraine crisis
Africa Economy & Business

Press Release

Feb 28, 2022

Atlantic Council and SEED Project to Host Sports Business Forum of Dakar

A unique platform dedicated to the exceptional African cultural power including sports featuring young talents, senior officials, sports business executives, investors, and legends from the sports industry

Africa

In the News

Feb 25, 2022

Farrand joins The New Arab to discuss pro-democracy movements in Algeria and the future of human rights

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2022

Russian Hybrid War Report: Belarus joins conflict against Ukraine

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's open-source researchers break down the Kremlin's latest moves online and on the battlefield in its war in Ukraine.

Belarus Disinformation
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Experts

Fellow

Oluwayemisi Ajumobi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Technology & Innovation Non-Traditional Threats

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Raul Alcaide Alonso

Vice President, Goldman Sachs

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Visiting Fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Iliyana Arnaudova

Clean Energy Finance Manager, C40

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society
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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