Africa Program
Conducting sustained, timely research and analysis on the major elements of U.S. policy toward Africa
4 Focus Areas
Security and Governance. Africa’s security and governance landscape is constantly in flux, from military coups to civil war to violent non-state actors. The CSIS Africa Program anticipates how these factors underpin leadership transitions, public protests, and insurgencies, with implications for sub-Saharan African and international stakeholders. In particular, the program provides analysis on security trends including defense forces, reform programs, and bi- and multilateral cooperation. It also contextualizes constitutional and military coups against the backdrop of closing political and civic spaces across the region.
Climate Change and Conflict. Researchers have extensively studied climate change and its impact on the environment. With regard to Africa, however, more research is needed on the relationship between climate change, conflict, and security. How do droughts, flooding, desertification, and rising sea levels impact tensions between communities, e.g., herdsmen versus farmers in Nigeria, and water disputes between countries in the Horn of Africa? In Ethiopia, for example, the National Defense Forces launched their offensive on Tigray just as farmers were preparing for the teff planting season—disrupting the farming cycle and exacerbating food insecurity across the region. The CSIS Africa Program will deepen existing research by examining this fragile nexus.
Youth. Nearly 50 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 18. In the long run, this youth bulge represents unlimited potential for economic and human development and leadership. In the short run, however, the demographic pressures exacerbate governance challenges and overwhelm public services. Consequently, Africa is experiencing a rise in public discontent, political contestation, and repression. Strong youth movements, such as Y’en a Marre (Senegal), Balai Citoyen (Burkina Faso), and LUCHA (DRC) have been at the forefront of the struggle for democratic change and better service delivery. The CSIS Africa Program is committed to analyzing youths’ role in African societies—from democratization to economic development to security— and investigating pathways for youths to gain greater access to policymaking.
The Strength of the Judiciary. In recent years, African judicial institutions have begun to counterbalance executive powers through processes like judicial reviews—spurring tension across the continent. Cases vary widely, from Malawi (where the Constitutional Court annulled results of the presidential election and ordered a run-off) to Benin (where long-independent courts are now facing challenges from the president). The CSIS Africa Program researches these trends, noting their impact on the rule of law and governance, and recommending potential solutions.
Contact Information
- Khasai Makhulo
- Program Coordinator and Research Assistant, Africa Program
- kmakhulo@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Latest Publications
Looking Ahead after a Year of Conflict in Sudan
On the one-year anniversary of the Sudan conflict, the prospects for a speedy resolution look bleak. Urgent action is required to arrest the country’s freefall and avoid a skyrocketing death count from the dual threat of famine and fighting.
Commentary by Cameron Hudson — April 12, 2024
State of Eight: Challenges Facing the East Africa Community
Transcript — April 4, 2024
Is the African Union Evolving in the Right Direction?
Commentary by Hannah Ryder , Etsehiwot Kebret, and Judith Mwai — March 26, 2024
Project Hope: Improving Maternal Health in Sierra Leone
Transcript — March 21, 2024
The Cost of Paternalism: Sahelian Countries Push Back on the West
Commentary by Catherine Nzuki — March 21, 2024
All Africa Program Content
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Beyond AGOA: Building a Bigger Africa Policy
Commentary by Eliot Pence — July 18, 2023
Why Are Foreign Powers Scrambling to Court Africa?
Commentary by Cameron Hudson — April 26, 2023
What Africa Experts Are Watching in 2023
Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Catherine Nzuki, William Mark Bellamy, Mimi Alemayehou, Maria E. Burnett, Emilia Columbo, Ryan Cummings, Cameron Hudson, and Laird Treiber — March 8, 2023
The U.S.-Zambia-DRC Agreement on EV Batteries Production: What Comes Next?
Commentary by Christian Géraud Neema Byamungu — March 6, 2023
Raising the Profile of AfCFTA at the Africa Leaders Summit
Commentary by Laird Treiber — December 12, 2022
On China, Minerals, and Power Competition
Commentary by Christian Géraud Neema Byamungu — December 12, 2022
What to Watch For In The Upcoming U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit
Podcast Episode by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele — December 8, 2022
African Fintech Is Booming despite Challenges
Commentary by Rafiq Raji — December 8, 2022
U.S. Priorities in Eastern Africa
Commentary by William Mark Bellamy — December 8, 2022
Minding the Gap at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Cameron Hudson — December 6, 2022