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.

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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 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

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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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Into Africa

Africa’s Narrative Revolution

Yinka Adegoke, editor of Semafor Africa, joined Into Africa to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape across the continent. 

Podcast Episode by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele — February 27, 2025

Photo: CSIS

Africa’s Narrative Revolution

Yinka Adegoke, editor of Semafor Africa, joined Into Africa to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape across the continent.

Transcript — February 27, 2025

Kenya's Emergence as a Regional Power

As Kenya continues to navigate its regional and global responsibilities, its leadership in diplomacy, economic development, and climate resilience will shape Africa’s future.

Event — February 26, 2025

Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In 2022, Kenya led the East African Community deployment to stabilize the eastern DRC and hosted the Nairobi Process, which aimed to facilitate dialogue between the DRC and armed groups. This paper analyzes where these efforts fell short.

Report by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Nick Elebe — February 26, 2025

Vying for Regional Leadership in the Horn of Africa

Kenya and Ethiopia have historically led peace efforts in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia’s recent conflicts have weakened its security role, and analysts doubt Kenya can fully replace it. How can both countries maximize their strengths and maintain regional stability?

Report by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Mwachofi Singo, and Hallelujah Wondimu — February 24, 2025

Kenya’s Green Leadership: Shaping Africa’s Climate Future

Hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in 2023 underscored Kenya’s ambition to lead the region in climate action. This report examines Kenya’s approaches to tackling climate challenges and explores the innovation and partnerships for mitigation.

Report by Robina Abuya — February 21, 2025

Kenya’s Economic Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kenya’s political and economic influence in the DRC has increased since the DRC joined the East African Community in 2022. This report analyzes Kenya’s investments, stabilization efforts, and business ties in the DRC, assessing opportunities and challenges.

Report by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Balingene Kahombo, and Beverly Ochieng — February 21, 2025

Into Africa

DeepSeek’s AI is cheap. Is this a game-changer for African startups?

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation in the Governance Studies program at Brookings and a recent computer science Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — February 20, 2025

Photo: CSIS

U.S. Allies and Partners Under the Trump Administration

Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department for a discussion of the ways in which U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas are navigating the new administration’s policies.

Event — February 18, 2025