Africa

State of the Order: Assessing May 2021

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

No longer neglected: DAS Cook forecasts more robust engagement with Africa under the Biden administration

By Africa Center

Speaking at an Atlantic Council event as part of the Africa Center’s African Conversations Series hosted by Africa Center Director Amb. Rama Yade, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms. Akunna Cook promised a turnaround in US-Africa relations under the Biden administration, avoiding the “neglect” shown in recent years and in contrast embracing African nations as partners across critical global challenges.

A hidden key to the G7’s infrastructure ambitions: Blue Dot Network

By Kaush Arha

Blue Dot Network represents another chapter for US leadership to address global needs and safeguard the international system from predatory behavior. With the Biden administration’s mission to build back better for the world, it is well poised to make BDN one of its landmark legacies for global good.

Development finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Chinese model

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

In recent years Chinese investment in Sub-Saharan Africa has outpaced distributions by the World Bank Group by more than $20 billion USD. These investments have been focused in energy, transport, metals, and real estate imply a modern bartering system is at play where developing countries in these regions pay for Chinese investment and construction in their economies through guaranteed long-term supply of hydrocarbons, agriproducts, or minerals.

A US-Africa summit done right

By Aubrey Hruby

The last few decades of global Africa policy can be defined in a single word: summitry. After five years of absence from the summit stage, a revived US-Africa summit under the Biden administration is a no-brainer.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Africa’s most overlooked crises and opportunities

By Katherine Golden

Thomas-Greenfield spoke about US President Joe Biden’s outlook on Africa with Ambassador Rama Yade, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, at an event celebrating Africa Day and introducing the Africa Center’s new team and mission.

Mali coup: White House official calls for ‘unconditional and immediate’ release of president and prime minister

By Africa Center

Speaking at the Atlantic Council's Africa Day celebration, White House official Dana Banks responded to topical issues in African affairs, including the coup in Mali, calling for "the unconditional and immediate release of the president and the prime minister."

Africa is America’s greatest geopolitical opportunity. Does the US know it?

By Rama Yade

Biden can further build ties with Africa: He should do so not only because these countries have long been underrepresented within leading multilateral organizations, but also because they offer innovative solutions to global challenges including terrorism, climate change, migration, debt, and COVID-19.

African contributions to the climate finance conversation

By Africa Center

On Monday, May 17, the Africa Center hosted an event on how to foster inclusive, green growth for African countries, featuring an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts. The event also served as the launch of Ms. Emilie Bel’s new Africa Center report, Growing Green: Catalyzing Climate Finance in African Markets.