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.

Contact Information

Media Queries

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.

Photo: Riccardo Gangale/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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 Projects

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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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Africa Policy Accelerator

The Africa Policy Accelerator (APA) is a professional network that meets monthly to discuss current political, economic, and security developments shaping U.S.-Africa relations. Through discussions and guest speakers, APA addresses challenges and provides career insights.

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Latest Publications

Photo: MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images

False Choices: Balancing Democracy and Development in U.S. Africa Policy

The shift in U.S. foreign policy to prioritize commercial diplomacy over democracy support presents a false dichotomy. As African partners adjust to the U.S. retreat as an advocate for democracy, this approach risks long-term consequences for U.S.-Africa relations.

Commentary by Oge Onubogu and Khasai Makhulo — October 21, 2025

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Recent Events

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Into Africa

Into Africa Banner

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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Power and Parity: Women in African Political Positions

In about 30 years since 1995, the representation of women in parliament has increased from 9.8 percent to 27.1 percent. These gains have come with friction, but to deepen and sustain the advancement of women in political positions, it is important to expand access and opportunity.

Blog Post by Khasai Makhulo — May 28, 2025

Audio Briefs

Why Citizens Should Shape the Future of the Democratic Republic of Congo

An audio version of “⁠Why Citizens Should Shape the Future of the Democratic Republic of Congo⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Albert Zeufack, Ruxandra Burdescu, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, James Robinson, and Jonathan Weigel. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Albert Zeufack, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, James Robinson, and Jonathan Weigel — May 23, 2025

Audio Briefs

Why Citizens Should Shape the Future of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Citizen engagement can unlock the Democratic Republic of Congo’s potential by leveraging its vibrant civil society and inclusive governance to build peace, mend the social contract, and drive development.

Commentary by Albert Zeufack, Ruxandra Burdescu, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, James Robinson, and Jonathan Weigel — May 23, 2025

Into Africa

Solving Africa’s Housing Deficit

Thierno-Habib Hann joins to explore how finance and partnerships are reshaping Africa’s urban future.

Podcast Episode by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele — May 22, 2025

CSIS Into Africa

A Dire Crisis in Sudan: A Global Call to Action

Sudan's war is spiraling into a regional proxy conflict, with drones, foreign fighters, and arms flows reshaping the battlefield. Without urgent U.S.-led engagement to rein in external actors, Sudan and the region risks wider destabilization.

Congressional Testimony by Cameron Hudson — May 22, 2025

Can South Africa’s President Fix His Bilateral Relationship with Washington?

Cyril Ramaphosa’s Oval Office meeting with President Trump is a high-risk, low-reward encounter that is likely to accelerate a decline in bilateral relations unless the South African comes prepared to reverse many of his country’s most cherished foreign policy positions.

Critical Questions by Cameron Hudson — May 19, 2025

Into Africa

Understanding the case for the Africa Credit Rating Agency

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Daniel Cash to discuss the impact that sovereign credit ratings have on outcomes for young people, why the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) is being formed, and why it is important to champion this initiative.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — May 15, 2025

CSIS Into Africa
Into Africa

The Afropolitan is now the Youth Bloom podcast!

But not much else has changed: Catherine Nzuki is (still) your host, and by 2050, one in four people in the world are still expected to be African. Thank you all very much for supporting this podcast.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — May 13, 2025

CSIS Into Africa