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.

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Africa’s exit problem is the United States’ entry point

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
Africa’s exit problem is the United States’ entry point

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
Africa’s exit problem is the United States’ entry point

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.

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Content

AfricaSource

Sep 30, 2026

Africa’s exit problem is the United States’ entry point

By Simbai Chizengeni

European and multilateral development finance institutions spent two decades backing funds that bought African companies. Those funds have aged, and their backers need distributions.

Africa Economy & Business

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Sep 28, 2026

Technology and the Global South: A US strategy for competitiveness

By Conrad Tucker, Peter Engelke

The United States and China are engaged in a strategic competition for scientific and technological leadership. To prevail, the United States must strengthen its tech-centric engagement with countries across the Global South.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Dispatches

Sep 21, 2026

Youth sports can help African countries build a legacy of champions

By Ohimai Amaize

African countries possess plenty of raw sporting talent. But replicable success is produced by systems.

Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Sep 17, 2026

New voices, old friends: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South

By Casey Michel

The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series examines the themes and methods that Russia uses to target audiences in the Global South.

Africa Civil Society

Dispatches

Sep 14, 2026

Three African economies show how China’s slowdown is reshaping trade

By Jeremy Smith

From Angolan oil to Congolese copper, China's economic slowdown is creating new winners and losers across Africa.

Africa China

AfricaSource

Sep 11, 2026

The US must become Africa’s partner on technology and AI. It can do so with soft power.

By Troy Fitrell and Kathryn Fitrell

The United States’ chief adversary has a soft power strategy. Why doesn’t Washington?

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Podcast

Aug 28, 2026

Satan’s Chariot: Mercenary Trouble in Mali

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 17 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats to Wassim Nasr, the veteran French journalist for France24 and Senior Fellow at the Soufan Center. Wassim talks us through the spectacular April 25th offensive across Mali by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate that looks set to soon make a play to take over the whole country.

Africa Middle East

AfricaSource

Aug 26, 2026

Africa’s next technological leapfrog could lie in electric vehicles and solar

By François Christophe

The countries that actively encourage the adoption of EVs will be first to reap the technology’s benefits for society and the economy.

Africa Energy & Environment

Report

Aug 24, 2026

An economic shock is coming. Boosting women’s economic opportunity may be the key to overcoming it.

By Jérémie Bertrand, Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, Caroline Perrin

With over a billion young people set to enter the global workforce in the next decade, policymakers must prioritize education and jobs for young women to advance prosperity.

Africa Entrepreneurship

Fast Thinking

Aug 24, 2026

Four scenarios for a looming global food crisis

By Atlantic Council

In this debut edition of Fast Foresight, we explore how the future could unfold into 2027, driven by the Strait of Hormuz impasse and the "super" El Niño.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action
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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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