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 Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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
The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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
The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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
The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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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The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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
The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

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

AfricaSource

May 11, 2021

The Basketball Africa League has arrived: Here’s why it matters

By Luke Tyburski

With the Basketball Africa League set to launch, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center reached out to sports stakeholders across the BAL’s inaugural countries to hear their perspective on why the BAL represents a historic moment. Their feedback provides a compelling case for the developmental, diplomatic, and economic potential of African basketball.

Africa Civil Society

Event Recap

May 6, 2021

Africa’s digital revolution: Exploring technology’s impact on Africa’s future

By Africa Center

On Thursday, May 6, the Africa Center and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) hosted a partnered event to launch twin reports exploring the theme of technology and its impact on Africa’s political and economic future.

Africa Digital Policy

Event Recap

Apr 29, 2021

Charting a course in Chad: Implications and analysis

By Africa Center

On Thursday, April 29, the Africa Center hosted a private roundtable on the evolving situation in Chad, featuring US, French, and Chadian perspectives.

Africa Conflict

Issue Brief

Apr 28, 2021

Partnering for Africa’s digital future: Opportunities for the United States, South Korea, and India

By Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu

For Washington, cooperation with emerging powers such as South Korea and India could advance US influence in Africa and could help ensure that Beijing’s digital foothold on the continent does not deepen.

Africa Economy & Business

Event Recap

Apr 28, 2021

Event Recap: “African and South Asian perspectives on the Leaders Summit on Climate”

By Damola Aluko

It is a good start that President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate invited three South Asian nations and five African countries to present their perspectives to the world; however, Biden’s efforts were not adequate. Western world leaders need to pay special attention to what South Asian and African experts have to say. This moment in history provides a critical opportunity for enlightened policymaking that could enable African and South Asian nations to be a force for clean, green, and sustainable economic growth and industrialization; a failure to seize this moment by excluding their voices will undermine global climate action and lead to a ruinous future for over half the world’s population.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

AfricaSource

Apr 27, 2021

Washington’s role and responsibility in Chad

By Cameron Hudson

In the midst of the fast-moving changes in Chad, there is an opportunity to begin to address the country's democracy and development deficits. As Washington contemplates its next steps, emphasis should be placed on listening to Chadians, engaging the African Union, pursuing on-the-ground diplomatic engagement, and acting quickly, yet strategically.

Africa Civil Society

AfricaSource

Apr 23, 2021

Climate change will not be fixed without Africa

By Rama Yade

When Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi spoke at the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate this week, he had the force of the continent behind him. And his message was that developed countries must do more. As the summit comes to a close, the world still has so much to learn from Africa about how to tackle the climate crisis—if the world would only listen.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2021

A world apart: How wealthy nations can strengthen the COVID safety net

By Jeremy Mark and Vasuki Shastry

The international community has delivered important progress in combating the impact of COVID-19, but much more is needed to assist low-income countries. While the IMF's Special Drawing Rights are a good start, G20 nations must help restructure the debts of developing nations and fund vaccine distribution.

Africa China

Fast Thinking

Apr 20, 2021

FAST THINKING: After the death of its president, Chad is on the brink

By Atlantic Council

After three decades in power, Chadian President Idriss Déby was killed following clashes with insurgents, state media announced Tuesday. What’s next for the country after the fall of its long-ruling autocrat?

Africa Crisis Management

Event Recap

Apr 20, 2021

Commercial opportunities abound in young, urban, and integrated African markets

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, April 20, the Africa Center hosted a panel on strengthening US-Africa commercial ties featuring an esteemed panel of stakeholders representing American Tower Corporation, Citi, Visa, the Green Climate Fund, and EbonyLife Media.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action
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Experts

Board director

Ahmed Charai

Board Member

International Norms Media

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Colin Coleman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

R. Clarke Cooper

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Africa Defense Policy

Staff

Amy Cowley

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict North & West Africa

Fellow

Sarah Daly

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment
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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