Africa Program

The Africa Program analyzes key trends shaping Africa’s present, future, and the continent’s evolving role globally. By centering African knowledge and agency, the program conducts forward-thinking research to foster debate and inform U.S. policy toward African countries.

Through examining the complex and rapidly evolving trends shaping Africa’s present and future, the CSIS Africa Program works to address the most pressing public policy issues facing Africa and U.S.-Africa relations. The Africa Program produces balanced and forward-thinking analysis to inform policy, foster solutions, and deepen understanding of Africa’s role in global affairs and its relations with the United States and the rest of the world. We achieve our mission through public convenings, working group discussions, publications, and partnerships with African think tanks and academic institutions. This work aims to foster dialogue that brings together key practitioners, policymakers, private sector leaders, and subject matter experts to analyze and develop practical options for addressing important challenges and opportunities in Africa as well as the continent’s evolving geostrategic role.

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Focus Areas

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People, Power, Politics

From the evolving security and governance landscape to the rapid pace of demographic shifts, digitization, and urbanization, Africa is undergoing a profound emergence as an integral part of the new global order.

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Financing Africa's Future

Africa’s development pathway requires creative thinking and bold international cooperation that recognizes the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities. Innovative financing and strategic foresight are integral to bridging Africa’s infrastructure financing gap.

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Africa, the United States, and the World

The relationship between the United States and Africa is undergoing a vital evolution amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape. This moment calls for nuanced and adaptive approaches that balance U.S. interests with African priorities.

Featured Analysis

Photo: Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images

U.S.-Africa Trade at a Crossroads: A Moment for New Thinking

AGOA has been extended for two years, but U.S.-Africa trade remains stagnant. The extension provides an opportunity to develop a new framework that meets the commercial goals and ambitions of the United States and African countries.

Commentary by Oge Onubogu and Aaron Stanley — September 3, 2026

Latest Publications

Photo: Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images

U.S.-Africa Trade at a Crossroads: A Moment for New Thinking

AGOA has been extended for two years, but U.S.-Africa trade remains stagnant. The extension provides an opportunity to develop a new framework that meets the commercial goals and ambitions of the United States and African countries.

Commentary by Oge Onubogu and Aaron Stanley — September 3, 2026

See all analysis by the Africa Program

Featured Event

Recent Events

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Featured Projects

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The Platform for U.S.-Africa Policy Exchange

The CSIS Africa Program is launching a new cohort-based fellowship that connects mid- to senior-level African analysts, researchers, and institutions directly into U.S.–Africa policy conversations.

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African Elections Tracking and Analysis

This project seeks to track, analyze, and report on elections across Africa, many of which shape the continent’s trajectory in global politics in the coming decades.

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Into Africa

Photo: CSIS

Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters. Into Africa shatters narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. With the world’s youngest population, the decisions made across Africa today—good or bad—will shape the world’s future. Featuring in-depth interviews, the CSIS Africa Program sits down with policymakers, journalists, academics, and other trailblazers in African affairs to shine a spotlight on the people and stories shaping cultural, political, and economic trends across the continent today and for decades to come.

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All Africa Program Content

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U.S.-Africa Economic Ties Beyond AGOA

In this episode of Into Africa, Oge is joined by Enoh Ebong, and Navin Girishankar to discuss what a future Africa Growth and Opportunity Act agreement must deliver.  

Event — October 9, 2026

Into Africa

U.S.-Africa Economic Ties Beyond AGOA

In this episode of Into Africa, Oge Onubogu is joined by Enoh Ebong and Navin Girishankar to discuss AGOA's legacy, the changing global trade landscape, and what a future U.S.-Africa economic framework must deliver.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu, Enoh T. Ebong, and Navin Girishankar — October 9, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Africa at the UN: Voice or Leverage?

In this episode of Into Africa, Oge speaks with Bitania Tadesse of the International Peace Institute about what to watch as UNGA unfolds, the prospects for meaningful UN reform, and Africa's evolving role in shaping the international agenda.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — September 24, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Nigeria 2027: Can Nigerians Trust the 2027 Election?

Oge Onubogu is joined by Samson Itodo to discuss Nigeria’s electoral landscape and the governance deficit at the heart of many of its challenges.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — September 10, 2026

Photo: CSIS

U.S.-Africa Trade at a Crossroads: A Moment for New Thinking

AGOA has been extended for two years, but U.S.-Africa trade remains stagnant. The extension provides an opportunity to develop a new framework that meets the commercial goals and ambitions of the United States and African countries.

Commentary by Oge Onubogu and Aaron Stanley — September 3, 2026

Into Africa

Africa on the Move: Migration, Labor Mobility, and Integration

Oge Onubogu speaks with Amanda Bisong and Daniel Yu about the realities of migration across Africa the gap between political rhetoric and economic evidence, and what greater labor mobility could mean for the continent’s growth and integration.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — August 27, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

It's More Than Just A Game: Africa at the Men’s World Cup and the Women’s AFCON

In this Youth Roundtable, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Janine Anthony and Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam. They unpack what drove the group-stage surge, from expanded participation fees to the competitive edge of AFCON, and why so many campaigns unraveled after the 80th minute.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — August 13, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme: Ebola outbreak in Ituri, Congo "a perfect storm."

This week on Into Africa, we are sharing an episode from the CSIS podcast, CommonHealth, hosted by CSIS Senior Vice President and Director of Global Health Policy Center Stephen Morrison. Stephen is joined by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu and J. Stephen Morrison — July 30, 2026

Photo: CSIS