Africa

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.

Explore
Opening Africa’s skies to trade, growth, and jobs

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
Opening Africa’s skies to trade, growth, and jobs

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
Opening Africa’s skies to trade, growth, and jobs

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.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Issue Brief

Aug 20, 2026

Opening Africa’s skies to trade, growth, and jobs

By Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Air transport in Africa could be a powerful multiplier of growth, underpin regional trade, and fuel skilled job creation. What's holding the continent's air travel sector back?

Africa Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Aug 17, 2026

Africa’s World Cup breakthrough: What ten teams reveal about institutional capacity

By Deneyse A. Kirkpatrick

Strong sports ecosystems create jobs, strengthen institutions, and expand opportunities across education, public health, and economic development.

Africa Politics & Diplomacy

AfricaSource

Aug 10, 2026

How to push back against Mali’s propagandists? Help factual creators go viral.

By Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Mali’s information space is now dominated by livestreaming “videomen” pushing misinformation. The West needs to respond by funding fact-based creators.

Africa Disinformation

AfricaSource

Jul 31, 2026

In the battle of the AI stacks, model quality won’t be the most decisive factor

By Amaka Yvonne Onyemenam

The US and Chinese strategies indicate that financing, powering, and permitting infrastructure matter most, and the African evidence so far bears it out.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Econographics

Jul 23, 2026

Kenya wants to monetize its data. But at what cost?

By Aadyaa Maddi, Karen Sowon, and Giulia Fanti

As data becomes a strategic resource, Kenya wants to cash in. But without stronger safeguards on consent, privacy, and valuation, its data strategy could become a cautionary tale.

Africa Digital Policy

Report

Jul 16, 2026

Artificial intelligence and the future of African mining

By Anthony Carroll and Jef Karel Caers

Artificial intelligence and digitalization offer African states, the United States, and allied partners an opportunity to move beyond legacy constraints and one-sided partnerships in the mining sector.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

AfricaSource

Jul 14, 2026

When the plug gets pulled: Frontier AI, export controls, and what Africa must do

By Yasmine Abdillahi

A foreign government could sever access to frontier AI capability overnight, putting African institutions at risk.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

MENASource

Jun 30, 2026

Algeria’s financial reforms are showing progress. Washington should take note.

By Frank Talbot

The Financial Action Task Force recently removed Algeria from its grey list. Here's how the US can strengthen ties as a result.

Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

Issue Brief

Jun 26, 2026

Lessons for Africa from Brazil on becoming more resilient to climate disasters

By Eduardo A. Haddad, José Marengo, Regina Alvalá, and Tércio Ambrizzi

The growing economic and social impacts of natural disasters highlight the need for stronger disaster risk governance across many African countries. Brazil's disaster monitoring and early-warning system offers a model.

Africa Brazil

AfricaSource

Jun 26, 2026

The ‘MCC Effect’ is real. The Trump administration must not overlook it.

By Richard K. Bell

Millennium Challenge Corporation and its scorecards-based model incentivizes countries to make reforms that are in the US interest, a former US ambassador argues.

Africa Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Yasmine Abdillahi

Nonresident Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Cybersecurity

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

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
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Events

Online Event Wed, August 26, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Opening Africa’s skies and markets through aviation
Africa Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy