Since the start of the Trump Administration, the United States has identified strategic competition with China and Russia as a core objective in sub-Saharan Africa. Is great power competition the most constructive framework for formulating and implementing U.S. policies in sub-Saharan Africa? In this virtual CSIS debate event, Judd Devermont is joined by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative), Ken Ofori-Atta (Minister for Finance, Ghana), Gayle Smith (ONE Campaign), and Juan Zarate (Financial Integrity Network) to debate the opportunities and risks embedded in the great power competition concept and to explore how it evolves during a global pandemic.

Online Event: CSIS Debate Series: Great Power Competition
Debate Results

Critical sources of funding and supplies are flowing into the region to help the African governments battle the Covid-19 pandemic. But legacies of corruption are compromising the response efforts at a time when countries are at their most economically vulnerable. How can policymakers prevent and expose corruption, as well as implement systemic reform? Patrick Smith (Africa Report), Onyi Ough (Step Up Nigeria), and Matthew Page (Chatham House, CEIP, CDD West Africa) join Judd Devermont to discuss Covid-19, Angola's history of corruption, and Nigeria's growing political turmoil within the ruling All Progressives Congress. 
Background Reading:

• Angolan Government Relying on Partner Assistance to Fight Covid-19 - Emilia Columbo (CSIS)
• Angola: on the trail of stolen billions - The Africa Report
• Coronavirus: Nigeria's 'Fiscal Flu' - Matthew Page (Chatham House)
• Dubai Property: An Oasis for Nigeria’s Corrupt Political Elites - Matthew Page (CEIP)
• Emeka's Money - Onyi Ough (Step Up Nigeria)

How do we separate fact from fiction? What is the best way to tackle misinformation about the virus? In our seventh episode with African Arguments, Ambassador Dawn Liberi (Former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi), Lee Mwiti (Africa Check), and Antonio Zappulla (Thomson Reuters Foundation) join host Judd Devermont to discuss the rapid spread of misinformation in Africa and the dangerous implications of government crackdowns on the press during the pandemic. Guests also examine Burundi’s turbulent transition following the death of President Nkurunziza and Kenya’s faltering economy. A note to our listeners: this episode was recorded on June 12th and some of the fast-moving developments in Burundi may not be reflected in the episode.

Background Reading:

• Kenya Tops Angola as Sub-Saharan Africa’s No. 3 Economy - Bloomberg
• 3 African leaders: The smart step to fight the virus - CNN
• Egypt forces Guardian journalist to leave after coronavirus story - The Guardian
• FACTSHEET: Coronavirus and the Covid-19 outbreak - Africa Check
• What's Crap on WhatsApp? - Africa Check and others

Africa is undergoing a digital transformation, helping the region to weather some the pandemic's negative consequences. What opportunities exist to accelerate Africa's adoption of digital and mobile technologies? Host Judd Devermont is joined by Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid (African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy), Ilana Cohen (GSMA), and Greg Cohen (Asoko Insight) to discuss the Covid-19 challenge and GSMA’s report, “Digital Solutions for the Urban Poor.” Separately, Judd, Greg, and Ilana also review President Museveni’s approach to the pandemic and developments in Madagascar.

Background Reading:

• Digital Solutions for the urban Poor - GSMA 
• Uganda: Driving inclusive socio-economic progress through mobile-enabled digital transformation - GSMA
• Mobile money recommendations to central banks in response to COVID-19 - GSMA
• Virus exposes gaping holes in Africa’s health systems - Reuters
• The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030)

How will the Covid-19 pandemic affect the future of business, trade, and investment in sub-Saharan Africa? How important will technology and automation be for economic development in the region? Guests Laird Treiber (State Department), Chukwuka Onyekwena (Center for the Study of the Economies of Africa), and Vijaya Ramachandran (Center for Global Development) join host Judd Devermont to discuss the new world of work. Guests also analyze South Africa and Nigeria’s responses to the pandemic.

Background Reading:

• South Africa’s Bold Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic – Judd Devermont and Topaz Mukulu
• Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Nigerian economy – Chukwuka Onyekwena and Mma Ekeruche
• Nigeria's Tech Sector May Be Booming, but Where Are the Women? – Vijaya Ramachandran and Blessing Omakwu
• Can Africa Be a Manufacturing Destination? Labor Costs in Comparative Perspective – Vijaya Ramachandran et al.
• Philanthropy and the Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast Nigeria – Judd Devermont

How will the Covid-19 pandemic affect African governments’ ability to respond to violent extremism in the region? Will groups exploit the health, economic, and political crisis brought on by the pandemic? In this security-focused episode, host Judd Devermont is joined by Bulama Bukarti (Tony Blair Institute), Emilia Columbo (CSIS), and Will Brown (The Telegraph, CSIS) to discuss the violence in northern Mozambique, Boko Haram’s attack on Chadian soldiers in late March, and Covid'19's implications for the security landscape.

Background Reading:

• Extremist Groups Stepping up Operations during the Covid-19 Outbreak in Sub-Saharan Africa – Emilia Columbo and Marielle Harris
• Supporting Mozambique’s Response to the Growing Insurgent Threat in Cabo Delgado – Emilia Columbo
• How Jihadi Groups in Africa Will Exploit COVID-19 – Bulama Bukarti
• As the World Is Distracted, Boko Haram Terrorists Strike a Key Western Ally – Will Brown

Experts project that the next few years will be pivotal for Africa's growth and influence. What policies should African governments and their partners focus on to positively shift the region’s trajectory? Jonathan Rosenthal (The Economist), Erin Sikorsky (National Intelligence Council), and Jakkie Cilliers (Institute for Security Studies) join Judd Devermont to discuss forecasting and the continent's projected growth and development. Guests also explore the widespread abuses by security forces during Covid-19 enforced lockdowns and Lesotho’s Prime Minister Tom Thabane’s decision to step down.

Background Reading:

• Africa First! Igniting a Growth Revolution - Jakkie Cilliers
• The African Century (The Economist special report) - Jonathan Rosenthal
• Global Trends: The Paradox of Progress (2017 report) - National Intelligence Council

Can humor be leveraged to spark political change? Bruce Wharton (former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe), James Wan (African Arguments), and Nkechi Nwabudike (The Other News) join host Judd Devermont to discuss the role of satire in African media, politics, and diplomacy. Guests also discuss the government of Zimbabwe’s comments on Covid-19 and the challenge of holding free and fair elections during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is our sixth episode in partnership with African Arguments.

Background Reading:
 

• Surviving COVID-19: Fragility, Resilience and Inequality in Zimbabwe - African Arguments
• Pandemic at the Polls - Judd Devermont
• Satire: BP praised for ambition to destroy Africa but potentially a bit slower - James Wan
• Writing about “that kind of country” in a time of coronavirus - Jess Auerbach

Rising temperatures across the globe will have profound consequences for Africa’s oceans and the people that are dependent on them for their livelihoods. How can countries work together in order to mitigate the effects of climate change? Max Bearak (Washington Post), Nina Forgwe (British High Commission in Cameroon) and Whit Saumweber (CSIS) join host Judd Devermont to discuss local and international community responses. Also, guests review how governments are reacting to the Covid-19 pandemic and the upcoming year for the diplomatic initiative: G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea Group.

Background Reading:

• A Crisis in the Water is Decimating this Once-Booming Fishing Town by Max Bearak and Chris Mooney
• COVID-19 Is an African Political Crisis as Much as a Health and Economic Emergency by Judd Devermont and Eric Olander

African militaries are working with the U.S., China, Russia, and others in order to address their security concerns. In an increasingly crowded space, are Africans looking for a partner of choice or a choice of partners? Host Judd Devermont sits down with Katie Bo Williams (Defense One), Ryan Cummings (Signal Risk) and Jonah Victor (Author) to discuss African views on U.S. and foreign security assistance. Guests also review Malian President Keita’s negotiations with extremist leaders and the wave of vigilante violence in Zambia.

Background Reading

• African Security: An Introduction - Jonah Victor and John Siko
• Speaking with Vampires: Rumor and History in Colonial Africa - Luise White
• Social media claims about Zambia gas attacks linked to riots, lynchings - AFP